Message from Professor Alex Barimah Owusu

Head of Department of Geography and Resource Development

HOD’s Welcome Message

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Department of Geography and Resource Development (DGRD) at the University of Ghana, Legon.

As the head of DGRD at the University of Ghana, I feel humbled and honoured to lead a department with such an extraordinary history. As one of the founding departments of the University of Ghana, the Department continues a rich tradition of pursuing scientific, educational, and outreach excellence, with missions focused on solving problems related to people, places, and resource interactions.  

We focus on answering complex scientific questions that are inherently spatial and also connect to various disciplines within the natural, social, and information sciences. Our discipline is unique due to our understanding of the interactions between humans, physical environments, and resources over time and space. We achieve this by utilising a diverse and robust range of technical and methodological skills to study our subjects of interest. These include geospatial technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, photogrammetry, geointelligence, spatial optimisation, simulation, statistics, and mathematical and network modelling. Additionally, we explore fundamental aspects of spatial data structures, geocomputing, and geovisualization. Our methods also encompass time series analysis, case study research, field observations, triangulation, and various social research techniques.

 

HOD’s Vision Statement 

  1. Transformative and Enhanced Student Experience

In promoting transformative and enhanced student experience, I will lead efforts to develop innovative undergraduate and graduate curricula that are industry-oriented and responsive to emerging global trends. We will prioritise the development of innovative, market-driven curricula, as well as short courses tailored to the needs of practitioners and policymakers. In support of immersive learning, we will invest in digital and practical learning tools to ensure that students have classroom, laboratory, and field-based experiences. This will make the subject more engaging and accessible to students at early levels. I will work with faculty to organise thesis writing seminars and practical training sessions that address common academic challenges, ensuring timely graduation. Additionally, career engagements, mentorship, and student engagement forums and programs will be institutionalised to prepare students for post-academic life.

  1. Impactful Research and Enhanced Visibility 

The Department will enhance its research footprint by exploring funding opportunities and supporting faculty in developing competitive research proposals. We will introduce mentorship initiatives that connect early-career researchers with seasoned grant recipients, providing training in grant writing to build institutional capacity. Additionally, we will promote multidisciplinary and cross-institutional research that addresses complex societal problems, while simultaneously developing strong faculty research profiles to improve visibility and academic branding on both local and international platforms. We will organise programs to showcase our Department’s achievements and improve visibility.

  1. Commitment to Our Faculty and Staff

Our faculty and staff are at the core of the Department’s success. We will foster an inclusive and diverse academic environment by attracting top talent through fair, achievement-based, and need-based recruitment. Infrastructure upgrades will be prioritised, including the renovation and upgrade of laboratory and office spaces, as well as improved sanitary facilities. Furthermore, to support academic excellence and field-based research, we will invest in upgrading laboratory equipment, modern technology tools, and reliable transport for outreach activities. To enhance operational effectiveness, administrative and support personnel will be encouraged to participate in short-term capacity-building programs that focus on ICT competencies and core administrative procedures. These initiatives will improve productivity, morale, and institutional effectiveness.

  1. Engagement, Partnership, and Networking 

Strategic partnerships are key to amplifying our relevance and extending our impact. We will build strong linkages with industry to support student internships, job placement, and collaborative research opportunities. The Department will re-engage alumni through homecoming events that also serve as platforms for infrastructure fundraising. Key departmental events, including GIS Day, Alumni Homecoming, and I seek to introduce the Geospatial Technology Exhibition and Job Fair. These events will be strategic platforms to foster engagement with external stakeholders. Plans are underway to institutionalise the Job Fair and Exhibition as annual fixtures. The Department will pursue formal agreements with international universities, NGOs, and multilateral organisations to facilitate research collaboration, staff exchanges, co-teaching, and joint PhD supervision. We will also promote community outreach through public engagement initiatives to address local development needs.

  1. Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship

To ensure financial resilience, the Department will diversify its income streams. Internally generated revenue will be raised through facility rentals, including laboratories and vehicles, as well as the rollout of additional fee-paying special programs. More certificate short courses will be introduced for practitioners and policymakers in the geospatial and resource management fields, generating additional income while providing practical training opportunities to a wider audience. The new laboratory facility I have personally initiated will be completed, and it is expected to become a significant source of departmental income. External fundraising campaigns will be pursued, targeting philanthropic and corporate partners. These resources will be directed toward upgrading infrastructure, especially in terms of sanitation and water supply, supporting academic programs, and improving the overall learning and working environment within the Department.

To our current students, alumni, partners, and affiliates, I wish you all the best and look forward to your ongoing involvement in the Department. I also look forward to hearing from each of you. To those who are new to the DGRD and considering a future career in geography resource development, I warmly welcome you to join us on this exciting journey as we explore and grow together.

Conclusion

This vision for the DGRD is rooted in action, inclusivity, and a clear alignment with the University’s strategic direction. Over the next three years, I will lead a collective effort to turn these goals into measurable results, utilising our human and institutional assets to establish a globally esteemed department, leaving a legacy within and beyond the University of Ghana.

To our current students, alumni, partners, and affiliates, I wish you well and look forward to your continued involvement in the Department, as well as to hearing from you. To those new to the DGRD and considering geography and resource development as a future career, I welcome you to join us on our exciting journey as we explore and grow together.

Alex Barimah Owusu

Email: abowusu@ug.edu.gh