Prof. Inusah Salifu

Prof. Inusah Salifu is an Associate Professor of Educational Administration, Management and Leadership. He is a former acting Head of Department at the Department of Adult Education and Human Resource Studies, University of Ghana. Inusah has a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in Special Education and English from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. He also holds a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree in Educational Administration from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and an earned Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in the same area of specialisation from Monash University, Australia.
Before his appointment at the University of Ghana, Inusah was an adjunct lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, where he taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervised thesis and project works. Until 2011, he worked in different capacities in the Ghana Education Service, including as the District Education Officer in charge of planning, English Language and Literature in English teacher, and an external examiner in English for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Inusah has in-depth experience conducting pure qualitative studies and exploratory mixed methods research. He is a proud recipient of many awards and grants, including the BANGA-Africa Project, Erasmus and GETFUND scholarships, and the University of Ghana College of Education Seed Grant. He has participated in several international conferences and has published extensively in his areas of research interests. Inusah supervises project works, dissertations and theses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Research/Consultancy Interests
 Educational Administration, Management, and Leadership at both pre-tertiary and tertiary levels, focusing on:
o teachers and teaching
o learners and learning
o educational policy
o leadership in adult education
o leadership in higher education
o leadership in special needs education
o leadership in teacher education

Publications
Published Research Works in Refereed Journals
Salifu, I. & Kala, M. (2024). Improving pupil performance in rural Ghana basic schools: Principals' leadership challenges. International Journal of Educational Development, 107, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103061
Salifu, I., Nketia, D. & Agyekum, B. (2024). Teacher professional development (TPD) in Ghana: Constraints and solutions. Professional Development in Education. DOI: 10.1080/19415257.2024.2351947
Amponsah, K. D., Salifu, I., Yeboah, R., Commey-Mintah, P. (2024). Emotional intelligence and academic performance: How does the relationship work among pre-service teachers in Ghana? Cogent Education, 11(1), 1-14. DOI: 10.1080/2331186X.2024.2305557
Salifu, I., Chirani, F., Amoah, S. K. & Odame, E.D. (2023). Training teachers by the distance mode: Implications for quality teacher performance in pre-tertiary schools. Sage Open, 13(4), 1-11. 10.1177/21582440231219081
Abonyi, U. K. & Salifu, I. (2023). Assessing the implementation of school discipline policy in Ghanaian basic schools. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 8(3), 636-674. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1246045
Salifu, I. & Biney, I. K. (2023). The role of motivational teaching techniques in adult distance learning programmes. International Review of Education - Journal of Lifelong Learning, 69(4), 437-446. DOI:10.1007/s11159-023-09997-7
Salifu, I. (2023). Leading, but are there followers? Exploring the influence of heads of departments on staff and students in Ghanaian higher education institutions. Educational Research for Policy and Practice, 1-18. DOI: 10.1007/s10671-023-09345-4
Biney, I. K. & Salifu, I. (2023). Opportunities for adult learners in Ghana's higher education institutions: Limiting factors and strategies, 1-15. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/07377363.2023.2178664
Salifu, I. & Odame, E.D. (2023). Examining demographic variables as predictors of self-efficacy among university teachers in Ghana. Issues in Educational Research, 33(1), 352-368. http://www.iier.org.au/iier33/salifu.pdf
Salifu, I. (2023). After retirement what next? A survey of post-retirement resolutions of retiring university teachers in Ghana. Educational Gerontology, 49(4), 287-299. DOI: 10.1080/03601277.2022.2109356
Salifu, I. & Abonyi, U.K. (2022). Managing large classes in virtual teaching: Experiences of university teachers in Ghana during COVID-19. Educational Technology Research and Development, 1-16. 10.1007/s11423-022-10151-7
Salifu, I. & Odame, E.D. (2022). Destructive leadership behaviors among heads of departments in higher education: Perceptions of subordinates in Ghana. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 1-16. DOI: 10.1080/13603124.2022.2087005
Salifu, I. (2022). State-funded secondary education: Implications for private school management in Ghana. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 21(4), 719-732. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2020.1823997
Salifu, I. & Agbenyega, J.S. (2021) Doctoral students’ learning experiences in Ghana: Exploring a new curriculum using Bourdieu’s concepts. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 16, 777-794. https://doi.org/10.28945/4879
Salifu, I., Odame, E.D. & Abubakar, J.U. (2021). University teachers’ decisions on post-retirement employment: Do demographic variables count? Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 7, 1-10. DOI: 10.1177/23337214211041419
Salifu, I. (2021). Exploring coteaching as a trend in higher education. College Teaching, 69(3), 150-160. DOI: 10.1080/87567555.2020.1838426
Salifu, I., Mantey, P.K. & Worlanyo, E.K. (2021). Optimising employee efforts: The implications of job design for administrative staff performance in higher education. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education. 10(S1), 146-167. https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jise/article/view/2747
Salifu, I., Boateng, J.K., & Kunduzore, S.S. (2018). Achieving free compulsory universal basic education through school feeding programme: Evidence from a deprived rural community in northern Ghana. Cogent Education, 5(1), 1-15. DOI: \10.1080/2331186X.2018.1509429
Salifu, I., Alagbela, A.A., & Ofori, C.G. (2018). Factors influencing teaching as a career choice (FIT-Choice) in Ghana. Teaching Education, 29(2), 111-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/10476210.2017.1365360
Salifu, I., Worlanyo, E.K. & Kuyini, A.B. (2017). Classroom engagement dynamics: Examining the potency of reflective teaching approach among selected universities in Ghana. Reflective Practice,18(6), 725-736. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2017.1304373
Salifu, I. (2015). Exploring the drivers of teacher professionalism in Ghana. Educational Studies, 41(5), 534-550. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2015.1062081
Salifu, I. (2014). Barriers to teacher motivation for professional practice in the Ghana Education Service. Policy Futures in Education, 12(5), 718-729. https://doi.org/10.2304%2Fpfie.2014.12.5.718
Salifu, I., & Agbenyega, J.S. (2013b). Viewing teacher motivation in the Ghana Education Service through a postcolonial lens. Current Issues in Education, 16(3), 1-14. http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/24349
Salifu, I., & Agbenyega, J.S. (2013a). Teacher motivation and identity formation: Issues affecting professional practice. MIER Journal of Educational Studies, Trends and Practices, 3(1), 58-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.52634/mier/2013/v3/i1/1555
Salifu, I., & Agbenyega, J.S. (2012). Impact of discipline issues on school effectiveness:The views of some Ghanaian principals. MIER Journal of Educational Studies, Trends and Practices 2(1), 50-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.52634/mier/2012/v2/i1/1584

Chapters in Edited Books
Salifu, I. & Owusu-Acheampong, E. (2021). Improving higher education instructional delivery in the developing world: The role of university teachers as digital leaders. In M. Mohiuddin (Ed.). Leadership in a Changing World: A Multidimensional Perspective. (Chapter 11, pp. 1-14). London: IntechOpen. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.100546 http://www.intechopen.com/books/leadership-in-a-changing-world-a-multidi...
Salifu, I. (2020). Improving the Management of Distance Education in Ghana through Effective Leadership: A theoretical review of the literature. In Y. Oheneba-Sakyi, M.A. Tagoe & I. Salifu (Eds.). Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Studies. (Chapter 13, pp. 200-209). Ghana: Woeli Publishing Services.
Tagoe, M.A. & Salifu, I. (2019). Managing University of Ghana Learning Centres As Service–Delivery Organisations: How Can Kouzes and Posner’s (2012) Management Model Explain Their Transformation? In A. Arko-Achemfuor, K.P Quan-Baffour & D. Addae (Eds.). Adult, Continuing and Lifelong Education and Development in Africa. (Chapter 7, pp. 83-95). New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Salifu, I. (2013). Improving teacher identity and professional practice: Does motivation matter? In J. Madden & R. Smith (Eds.), Teacher Education Dialogue: Innovations (Chapter 9, pp. 94-101). Sydney: Primrose Hall Publishing Group.

Published Conference Proceedings
Salifu, I., & Ankomah, Y.A. (2015). Thinking beyond working conditions: A review of factors influencing teacher job satisfaction in Ghana. Paper presented at 1st Interdisciplinary Conference of University of Cape Coast, Ghana and Tai Solarin University of Education, Nigeria, held at University of Cape Coast from April 26, 2015 to May1, 2015 on the theme Education for global development.
Recently Completed Research
Salifu, I. & Agbenyega, J. S. Supporting whole school initiatives in the Ghanaian education system: Are principals making any impact? International Journal of Whole Schooling
Salifu, I. & Abubakar, J. U. Ghana’s free secondary education policy and the achievement of accessible, equitable, and quality secondary education. Management in Education
Salifu, I. Quality issues in the implementation of free secondary education policy in the developing world: A case study of a rural community in northern Ghana. Cambridge Journal of Education
Salifu, I. Promoting industrial harmony in higher education: Are university union leaders relevant? Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management
Salifu, I. & Odame, E. D. Making teaching a career choice: A study of the ‘pull factors’ among pre-service teachers in Ghana. Journal of Education for Teaching
Salifu, I., Iddris, F, Owusu-Agyeman, Y. & Eshun, N. S. The influence of professional development on quality teaching in pre-tertiary schools in Ghana. Teacher Development.

On-Going Research
1. Examining the efficacy of learner feedback as a school improvement practice in Ghana
2. Assessing digital maturity among Ghanaian higher education students