Professor Ernest Agyemang

Steering Committee Member, Transport & Geography Commission of the International Geographers Union (2024-2028) https://igu-transport.org/about-us-2/

Contact info eagyemang@ug.edu.gh

About

Prof. Ernest Agyemang is currently an Associate Professor in Transport Geography at the Department of Geography & Resource Development, University of Ghana. As a researcher, he's best known for writing scientific papers on travel behaviour, with a particular focus on long-distance urban trips, ride-hailing services, COVID-19 mitigation in public transportation and decarbonizing transportation, among others. Prof. Agyemang is a 2017-award-winning China-Ghana Urban Development Forum author, and before this feat, a winner of the 2015 Best Oral Presentation Award at the University of Ghana Doctoral Students' Research Conference.

As a teacher, his passion and drive for excellence in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate students is influenced by his belief that academic lectures ought not to be impersonal, boring, non-humorous and completely disassociated from real-world happenings. Thus, he consciously makes teaching and learning fun with a cocktail of very animated lectures, field trips, and carefully selected Guest Lectures.

Some of the courses he teaches are:

  1. GEOD 101 Introduction to Human Geography
  2. GEOG 325 Theory and Practise of Geography
  3. GEOG 463 Transportation Studies 
  4. GEOG 462 Transport and the Space Economy
  5. GEOG 611 Transportation Studies
  6. GEOG 614 Transport and Development
  7. GEOS 607 Research Methods

Prof. Agyemang excellently bridges the science-policy interface by sharing his evidence-based expertise at various national and global fora, including the popular Public Concern programme on Ghana Television, and the OECD’s COP 28 Virtual Pavilion, just to name a few.

Education

2015: PhD. Geography & Resource Development, University of Ghana.

2009: MPhil. Development Studies, Norwegian Univ. of Science & Technology, Norway.

2005: BA in Geography & Resource Development with Archeology, University of Ghana.

Research Interest

  • Transport and Public Health (special focus on COVID-19 mitigation in public transport and pedestrian infrastructure use and safety)
  • Urban form/spatial planning, mobility and travel behavior
  • Urban transportation and environmental pollution
  • Smart, sustainable, and emerging future transport (special focus on digital shared mobility platforms/ ride-hailing and Electric Vehicles (EVs)
  • Transportation infrastructure investment models (focus on airport cargo)
  • Transport and the informal economy

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT 

COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS

  • Co-PI: 2021-2022: Electric Mobility Policy and Market Readiness Framework. Funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-Danish Technical University (DTU) Partnership, Denmark.
  • Co-PI: 2021-2022: National Electric Mobility Roadmap. Funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Copenhagen Climate Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Co-PI: 2021-2022: Market Feasibility Study for e-bus deployment in Accra and Kumasi. Funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Copenhagen Climate Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Co-PI: 2022-2023: Evaluation of the transport system in Kumasi and Accra. Funded by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)/Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat (SWAC), Paris, France.
  • Co-PI: 2019-2023: Pathways to Equitable Healthy Cities. Funded by the Wellcome Trust, UK. https://equitablehealthycities.org/partners/university-of-ghana/
  • PI: 2021-2022: Mobility behaviour in response to COVID-19 lockdown measures. Funded by the Wellcome Trust, UK.
  • PI: 2020-2022: Innovative Transport Services in Africa (focus on the app-based ride-hailing services in Ghana. Funded by the Andrew Carnegie Corporation of New York through the UG BANGA Africa Project.
  • PI: 2022-2024: Research to Support Large Scale Investments in Bicycling in the Cities of Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Funded by the Bhalla Kiphart Funds, University of Chicago. 

Publications

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles 

  1. Agyemang, E. & Ojo, K.T. (2023). It is just annoying and time wasting: Understanding jaywalkers’ disdain for footbridge use in urban Ghana and its associated safety implications. Journal of Transport & Health, 31, 101634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2023.101634
  2. Agyemang, E., Anderson, B., Patino, J., Owusu, K. & Tremolieres, M. (2023). Ensuring sustainability via accessible transport systems for all in Accra and Kumasi. E3S Web of Conferences, 418. EDP Sciences, 02001.
    https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202341802001
  3. Agyemang, E., & Yaro, J.A. (2023). Knowledge, attitudes, and perception as predictors of COVID-19 safety practices of ride-hailing operators in Ghana:  A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 20(5), 4529. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054529
  4. Acheampong, R.A., Agyemang, E. & Asuah, A.Y. (2023). Is ride-hailing a step closer to personal car use? Exploring associations between app-based ride-hailing use and car ownership aspirations among young adults. Travel Behaviour and Society, 33, 100614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2023.100614
  5. Agyemang, E., Amankwaa E.F., & Essandoh-Yeddu, J. (2023, November 3-4). Exploring the barriers to consumer adoption and applications of electric vehicles: Ghana’s experience. IEEE/IET International Utility Conference and Exposition (IUCE). 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1109/IUCE55902.2022.10079349 
  6. Agyemang, E., (2022). Urban form and mobility future for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA): Reflections from the past and policy implications for the future.  Ghana Social Science Journal, 19 (2), 86-105. https://journals.ug.edu.gh/index.php/gssj/article/view/2175 
  7. Nathvani, R., Clark, S.N., Muller, E., Alli, A.S., Bennett, J., Nimo, J., Moses, J.B., Baah, S., Metzler, A.B., Brauer, M., Ezra, S., Hughes, A.F., Rashid, T., Gemmel, E., Moulds, S., Baumgartner, J., Toledano, M.B., Agyemang, E., Owusu, G., … Ezzati, M. (2022). Characterisation of urban environment and activity across space and time using street images and deep learning in Accra. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 20470. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24474-1
  8. Wang, J., Alli, A.S., Clark, S., Hughes, A., Ezzati, M., Beddows, A., Vallarino, J., Nimo, J., Bedford-Moses, J., Baah, S., Owusu, G., Agyemang, E., Kelly, F., Barratt, B., Beevers, S., Agyei-Mensah, S., Baumgartner, J., Brauer, M., & Arku, R.E. (2021). Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) pollution in the Accra Metropolis: Spatiotemporal patterns and the role of meteorology. Science of The Total Environment, 803,149931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149931
  9. Agyemang, E., Agyei-Mensah, S., & Kyere-Gyeabour, E. (2021) Face mask use among commercial drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Community Health, 46, 1226-1235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-021-01004-0  
  10. Alli, A.S., Clark, S.N., Hughes, A., Nimo, J., Bedford-Moses, J., Baah, S., Wang, J., Vallarino, J., Agyemang, E., Barratt, B., Beddows, A., Kelly, F., Owusu, G., Baumgartner, J., Brauer, M., Ezzati, M., Agyei-Mensah, S., & Arku, R.E. (2020). Spatial-temporal patterns of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) pollution in Accra. Environmental Research Letters,10, e035798. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac074a 
  11. Agyemang, E (2020). Uber is here to stay”: Exploring the policy implications of the Uber-local taxis turf war in Accra, Ghana. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 8, 59-66. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213624X19300033
  12. Clark, S.N., Alli, A.S., Brauer, M., Ezzati, M., Baumgartner, J., Toledano, M.B., Hughes, A.F., Nimo, J., Moses, J.B., Terkpertey, S., Vallarino, J., Agyei-Mensah, S., Agyemang, E., Nathvani, R., Muller, E., Bennett, J., Wang, J., Beddows, A., Kelly, F., … Arku, R.E. (2020). High-resolution spatiotemporal measurement of air and environmental noise pollution in Sub-Saharan African cities: Pathways to Equitable Health Cities Study protocol for Accra, Ghana. BMJ OPEN, 10, e035798.  https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/10/8/e035798.full.pdf
  13. Wrigley-Asante, C. & Agyemang, E. (2019). Trading on-and-off the road: Experiences of Ghanaian informal cross border traders. Ghana Social Science Journal, 16(1), 23-53. https://ss.ug.edu.gh/journal/vol16-2019
  14. Agyemang, E. (2018). Towards reducing the dangers associated with road traffic accidents: Seatbelt use and explanatory factors in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana. Ghana Journal of Geography, 10(1),129143. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjg.v10i1.7
  15. Agyemang, E. (2017). Does distance and personal circumstances of trip makers matter to mode choice? Evidence from urban Ghana? In I. Mensah & H. Liangcai (Eds.), Proceedings of the Maiden Edition of the China-Africa Urban Development Forum. Confucius Institute, University of Cape Coast. (pp.104-113). Ghana Universities Press.
  16. Agyemang, E. (2017). Mode choice for long distance trips: Evidence from the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area of Ghana. Journal of Transport Geography, 64:150157. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2017.09.003.
  17. Oteng-Ababio, M. & Agyemang, E. (2015). The Okada war in urban Ghana: A polemic issue or policy mismatch? African Studies Quarterly, 15 (4), 25-44. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285778827_The_Okada_War_in_Urban_Ghana_A_polemic_issue_or_policy_mismatch 
  18. Agyemang, E. (2015). The bus rapid transit system in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana: Looking back to look forward. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift – Norwegian Journal of Geography, 69 (1), 2837. http://doi.org/10.1080/00291951.2014.992808
  19. Agyemang, E. (2013). A cost-effective Geographic Information Systems for Transportation (GIS-T) application for traffic congestion analyses in   the Developing World. Ghana Journal of Geography. 5, 5172. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjg/article/download/109450/99222

  20. Oteng-Ababio, M. & Agyemang, E. (2012). Virtue out of necessity? Urbanisation, urban growth and Okada services in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Geography and Geology, 4 (1),148-162. http://doi.org/10.5539/jgg.v4n1p148

    Book chapters

  21. Arthur, I.K., Agyemang, E., Crentsil, A.O., Wrigley-Asante, C., Owusu, G. (2024). Urban Infrastructure and Transit-Oriented Development in Accra, Ghana. In T. Nubi, T. Lawanson, & B., Oyalowo (eds) Transit Oriented Development in West African Cities. GeoJournal Library. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-58726-9_14 
  22. Arthur, I.K., Agyemang, E., Nikoi, E.G.A. (2022). Evaluating the viability of the Ghana Airport Cargo Centre as a public-private partnership project. In S. Hakim, R.M. Clark, E.A. Blackstone (Eds.), Handbook on public private partnerships in transportation: Competitive government: Public private partnerships. 1 (pp. 15-30). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83484-5_2

  23. Addo, S.T. & Agyemang, E. (2013). Transportation Geography. In G. Owusu, S. Agyei-Mensah, P.W.K. Yankson & E.M. Attua (Eds.), Selected Readings in Geography. Essays in Commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of the University of Ghana. (pp. 69-84). University of Ghana/Woeli Publishing Services

    Technical Reports

  24. Anderson, B., Patiño, J., Sheahan, J., Owusu, K., Agyemang, E., Boateng,D., Kholodov, Y., Carros, N., & Johnson, A. (2024). Accessibility for all to unlock sustainable mobility - A gendered approach: The case of Accra and Kumasi in Ghana". West African Papers, No. 46, 1-50, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/dbd7a293-en 
  25. Anderson, B., Patiño, J., Sheahan, J., Owusu, K., Agyemang, E., Boateng,D., Kholodov, Y., Carros, N., Acheampong, R.A., Asuah, A.Y., & Johnson, A. (2024). Shaping expanding cities for accessible transport - Proximity and road networks: The case of Accra and Kumasi in Ghana. West African Papers, No. 47, 1-40, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/c4884034-en  
  26. Amankwaa, E.F., Agyemang, E., Dhar,S., Munshi,T. & Painuly, J. (2022). National electric mobility policy and market readiness framework for Ghana. UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark. 1-89 https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.18160.33284
  27. Amankwaa, E.F., Agyemang, E., Dhar, S., & Painuly, J. (2022). National electric mobility roadmap in Ghana. UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark. 1-104. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.31582.10565

  28. Amankwaa, E.F., Agyemang, E., Bagdia, R., Vaidya, V., Agade, S. & Gode, P. (2022). Market feasibility study for e-bus deployment in Accra and Kumasi. UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, Copenhagen.1-104 https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21515.77602

    Conferences, Seminars & Media Engagements

  29. Agyemang, E.  (2025). ‘Digital platforms, ICT-mediated mobility services and emerging smart mobility ecosystems in African cities: systematic evidence review of impacts and research gaps’. Paper presented at the VREF Global Summit, Gothenburg, Sweden, 25-25 May 2025.
  30. Agyemang, E.  (2023). ‘Out of touch interventions: A case of the white elephant footbridges at JJ Rawlings Avenue in Accra’. Paper presented at the Reimagining urban transport in African cities COP28 Virtual Pavilion hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) https://www.oecd-events.org/cop28/onlinesession/99fb10b7-aa5e-ee11-9937-000d3a4cc0c5 
  31. Agyemang, E.  (2023). ‘Transforming urban mobility: The impact of ride-hailing services on transportation systems.’ Keynote address at the Future of Road Transport. International Driver and Vehicle Innovations Conference.Hosted by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast, Accra. Tuesday 10/10/2023 https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=230843169976608
  32. Patiño, J., & Agyemang, E. (2023) ‘Ensuring sustainability via accessible transport systems for all in Accra and Kumasi’. Paper presented at the Public transport system and public health risk conference. Organized by the African Cities Lab 2023 Summit, Cotonou, Bénin. https://summit.africancitieslab.org/en/program/
  33. Agyemang, E., Anderson, B., (2023) ‘Accessible and Sustainable Mobility in African Cities: Gender-Sensitive Approaches’. Paper presented at the Urban Mobility and Accessibility workshop. Organized by the Sahel and West Africa (SWAC) Strategy and Policy Group Meeting, 21/06/2023, Paris, France.
  34. Agyemang, E., (2022). ‘e-Bus Feasibility for Intercity and Intracity: A Case Study of Ghana’. A panel discussion on the 2022 pManifold & UN Environment Programme Copenhagen Climate Centre webinar, 30/08 2022 https://www.pmanifold.com/webinars/e-bus-feasibility-for-intercity-and-intracity-a-case-study-of-ghana/
  35. Agyemang, E., (2024, June 2). Expert interviews on ‘Laying the foundation for sustainable urban mobility and accessibility: The case of GUMAP’ on the Public Concern programme on Ghana Television (GTV). [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/gtvghana/videos/1169590367666821/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v 
  36. Agyemang, E., (2023, August 15). Expert interviews on ‘Electric vehicle adoption in Ghana’ on Ghana Television (GTV) network, [Video]. YouTube.  https://youtu.be/awEQV2cWld0 & TV3 Network, [Video]. Facebook. https://fb.watch/npcuYNwxeJ/?mibextid=qC1gEa       
  37. Agyemang, E., (2019, March 28). Expert interviews on ‘Okada/motor-taxi services in Ghana’ on The Pulse programme on JoyNews, [Video]. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jL5D3Dnllw&t=1179s         
  38. Agyemang, E., (2019, October 28). Expert interviews on ‘Railways development in Ghana’ on JoyNews, [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAp-Lv_Xpis&t=26s  
  39. Agyemang, E., (2019, October 30). Expert interviews on ‘Managing traffic congestion in Ghanaian cities’ on the AM Show on JoyNews, [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5jux6RnH4c&t=15s