Dr Ebenezer Forkuo Amankwaa

Contact info efamankwaa@ug.edu.gh

About

Dr Ebenezer Forkuo Amankwaa is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography. He is a critical scholar whose research interest cuts across urban studies, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability. He is experienced in conducting and disseminating transdisciplinary research with a special focus on heterogeneous infrastructure; informality, mobility and livelihood; environmental health; urban governance; and climate change adaptation and education. 

Ebenezer previously worked as a Research Fellow at the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) and a Fellow of the Bosch Pan-African College on Sustainable Cities. Currently, he is an Affiliate Member of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), and a Fellow of the Future Africa (FAR-LeaF) programme, and the Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP). He is a Visiting Scholar at Loughborough University, UK. Recently, Ebenezer was awarded the Best Overall Researcher award at the College of Humanities, University of Ghana.

I am currently contributing to the following undergraduate and postgraduate courses:

  • GEOD 101 Introduction to Human Geography
  • GEOD 201 Introduction to Geographic thought
  • GEOG 451 Regional Development
  • GEOG 454 Spatial Organization
  • GEOG 465 The City: Origins, Internal Structure and Economic Functions
  • GEOG 464 Cities in Economic Development and Problems of Urban Management
  • GEOG 493 Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction
  • GEOG 496 Disaster Risk Reduction Policies and Strategies
  • GEOD 616 Sustainable Urban Development
  • GEOD 622 Applied Integrated Disaster Risk Management

Education

2017: PhD, Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana.

2012: MPhil, Environmental Science, University of Ghana.

Research Interest

I am a transdisciplinary researcher and my compelling curiosity, passion and vision for the future of African science have occasioned my collaboration in international transdisciplinary research projects and undertaking of national assignments for industry and government. My scholarship has not only shaped urban policies in Ghana but translated into interventions and practice. My particular interest in urban development issues has enabled me to engage in community-oriented projects to build the capacity of marginalized urban communities, support and empower young scientists, and promote community mobilizations and activism to accelerate climate action, raise youth champions and drive community change. 

My recent research projects include the Wellcome Trust-funded project titled Methane Early Warning Network (ME-NET). The overarching aim of ME-NET is to pilot an integrated data platform for regions with varying environmental and health data availability and quality, and with varying sources of methane super-emitters for: a) developing data synthesis approaches that are globally applicable; and b) training methane ‘early warning’ models that are robust to regional contexts. I am also leading two Carnegie Corporation of New York-funded projects under different programme streams which a) investigate how indoor classroom air temperatures, school buildings and classroom conditions interact to impact the extreme heat and thermal comfort experiences of schoolchildren; and b) explore the vulnerabilities and impacts of extreme weather events and propose affordable, culturally sensitive interventions and strategies aimed at improving the well-being of urban residents and school children

Broadly speaking, my research focuses on urban sustainability issues with specific interests in:

  • Housing and heterogeneous infrastructure (water, energy, waste management)
  • Informality, mobility and livelihoods
  • Environmental sustainability and urban health 
  • Climate change adaptation, education, and well-being 
  • Disaster risk science 
  • Urban governance, policy and planning

 

Ongoing research

  • PI: 2024-2026: Impact of Flooding and Extreme heat on School children in urban Ghana. Funded by University of Ghana Research Fund (UGRF) (Mid-Career Grant Category-Award)
  • PI: (2024-2026): Methane Early Warning Network (ME-NET). Collaboration between University of Lincoln and University of Ghana. Funded by the Wellcome Trust 
  • PI: 2024-2026: Reducing the impact of Extreme Heat to Improve well-being in Schools” (REHIS).  Funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York, under the Preparing Outstanding Social Science Investigators to Benefit Lives and Environments in Africa Initiative (POSSIBLE- Africa)
  • PI: 2022- 2024: Analyzing Dynamic Adaptation strategies of the urban Poor To improve well-being (ADAPT). Funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York, under the Future Africa Research Leadership Fellowship (FAR-LeaF) programme.
  • Co-PI: 2024: Strengthening urban waste management by empowering waste pickers in Ghana. Funded by the International Growth Centre (IGC) through UKAID and directed by LSE

 

Past research

  • Consultant: 2023: Electric Mobility Policy of Ghana. Funded by the Ministry of Transport, Ghana.
  • National Lead Consultant: 2021-2022: Market Feasibility Study of Electric Bus Deployment in Accra and Kumasi. Funded by Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) for UNOPS on behalf of Ghana’s Ministry of Transport. 
  • National Lead Consultant: 2021-2022: Electric Mobility Policy Framework and Implementation Roadmap for Ghana. Sponsored by Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) for UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP) on behalf of Ghana’s Ministry of Transport. 
  • Lead Consultant: 2021-2022: Market Feasibility Study of Waste Management in Ghana. Funded by Marubeni Corporation (Ghana). 
  • Co-Investigator: 2020-2023: Re-Energize Governance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience for Sustainable Development. Project partners include University of Ghana, University College London (UK), University of North Carolina (US), University of Mauritius. PI Spataru Catalina (UCL). Funded by Belmont Forum.
  • Co-Investigator: 2019-2023: Reducing the Impact of Extreme Heat to Improve Well-being in Cities (REFIT) (2019-2023). Project partners include University of Ghana, Loughborough University, UDS, and BRRI-CSIR, Ghana. PI Kate Gough. Funded by the British Academy, under the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). 
  • Postdoc Research Fellow: 2018-2022: Pan African Research College on Sustainable Cities. Project partners include University of Ghana, University of Nairobi, UNU-INRA, University of Cape Town and Wits University. Funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung Foundation. 
  • Co-Principal Investigator: 2018-2019: Dealing with Single-use Plastics: Examining the Economic Effect of a Ban in Ghana. Project partners include University of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance, Government of Ghana. Funded by the International Growth Centre (IGC) through UKAID and directed by LSE. 
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate: 2017-2019: Vulnerability to Extreme Weather Events in Cities: Implications for Infrastructure and Livelihoods (VEWEC). Project partners include Loughborough University (UK), University of Ghana and UDS. Funded by the British Academy under the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). 
  • Principal Investigator: 2014-2016: Recyclers at Risk? Analysis of E-waste Livelihoods and Blood Lead Levels at Ghana’s Recycling Hub, Agbogbloshie (2014-2016). Project partners include University of Ghana and University of Minnesota. Funded by the International Growth Centre (IGC) through UKAID and directed by LSE. 

Publications

Journals

  1. Galibourg, D., Amankwaa, E.F., Gough, K. & Scott, R. (2024). Informal irrigated vegetable value chains in urban Ghana: Potential to improve food safety through changing stakeholder practices. International Development Planning Review, 46(4). 
  2. Amankwaa, E.F., Gough, K.V. & Oteng-Ababio, M. (2024). “It is for home but we use it for work”: Intra-urban comparison of infrastructure and home-based enterprises in Accra. Urban Geography, 45(4), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723638.2024.2354665 
  3. Blay, K.B., Amankwaa, E.F., Afolabi, O.D. & Mensah, P. (2023). Managing COVID-19 and health vulnerabilities: mHealth user experience, information quality and policy recommendations. International Development Planning Review, 45(3), 249-272. https://doi.org/10.3828/idpr.2023.6 
  4. Amankwaa, E.F. & Gough, K.V. (2023). ‘We are at the mercy of the floods!’: Extreme weather events, disrupted mobilities, and everyday navigation in urban Ghana. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 44(2), 235-254.https://doi.org/10.1111/sjtg.12482 
  5. Pahl-Wostl, C., Odume, O.N., Scholz, G., Villiers A. De, & Amankwaa, E. F. (2023). The role of crises in transformative change towards sustainability, Ecosystems and People 19(1), 2188087. https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2188087 
  6. Amankwaa, E.F. & Gough, K.V. (2022). Everyday contours and politics of infrastructure: Informal governance of electricity access in urban Ghana. Urban Studies 59(12), 2468–2488. https://doi.org/10.1177/00420980211030155 
  7. Fagbamigbe, A. F., Tolba, M. F., Amankwaa, E. F., Mante, P. K., Sylverken, A. A., Zahouli, J. Z. B., Goonoo, N., Mosi, L., … Badu, K., & Dukhi, N. (2022). Implications of WHO COVID-19 interim guideline 2020.5 on the comprehensive care for infected persons in Africa: Before, during and after clinical management of cases. Scientific African, 15(2022), e01083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e01083 
  8. Badu, K., Oyebola, K., Zahouli, J. Z. B., Fagbamigbe, A. F., de Souza, D. K., Dukhi, N., Amankwaa, E. F., Tolba, M. F., Sylverken, A. A., Mosi, L., Mante, P. K., Matoke-Muhia, D., & Goonoo, N. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 Viral Shedding and Transmission Dynamics: Implications of WHO COVID-19 Discharge Guidelines. Frontiers in Medicine, 8, 648660. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.648660 
  9. Mosi, L., Sylverken, A. A., Oyebola, K., Badu, K., Dukhi, N., Goonoo, N., Mante, P. K., Zahouli, J., Amankwaa, E. F., Tolba, M. F., … & Matoke-Muhia, D. (2021). Correlating WHO COVID-19 interim guideline 2020.5 and testing capacity, accuracy, and logistical challenges in Africa. Pan African Medical Journal, 39(89). https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.39.89.27522 
  10. Esson J, Amankwaa EF, & Mensah P. (2021). Boys are tired! youth, urban struggles, and retaliatory patriarchy. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 46(1), 193-207. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12411 
  11. Wilby, R. L., Kasei, R., Gough, K.V., Amankwaa, E. F., Abarike, M., Anderson, N. J., Codjoe, S. N. A., Griffiths, P., Kaba, C., Abdullah, K., Kayaga, S., Matthews, T., Mensah, P., Murphy, C., & Yankson, P. W. K. (2021). Monitoring and moderating extreme indoor temperatures in low-income urban communities. Environmental Research Letters, 16(2), 024033. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abdbf2 
  12. Kayaga, S., Amankwaa, E. F., Gough, K. V., Wilby, R. L., Abarike, M. A., Codjoe, S. N. A., Kasei, R., Nabilse, C. K., Yankson, P. W. K., Mensah, P., Abdallah, K., & Griffiths, P. L. (2021). Cities and extreme weather events: Impacts of flooding and extreme heat on water and electricity services in Ghana. Environment and Urbanization, 33(1),131-150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247820952030 
  13. Amankwaa, E. F., Esson, J., & Gough, K. V. (2020). Geographies of youth, mobile phones and the urban hustle. The Geographical Journal, 186(4), 362-374. https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12354 
  14. Codjoe, S. N. A., Gough, K. V., Wilby, R. L., Kasei, R., Yankson, P. W. K., Amankwaa, E. F., Abarike, M. A., Atiglo, D. Y., Kayaga, S., Mensah, P., Nabilse, C. K., & Griffiths, P. L. (2020). Impact of extreme weather conditions on healthcare provision in urban Ghana. Social Science & Medicine, 258, 113072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113072 
  15. Gough, K. V., Yankson, P. W. K., Wilby, R. L., Amankwaa, E. F., Abarike, M., Codjoe, S. N. A., Griffiths, P., Kaba, C., Kasei, R., & Kayaga, S. (2019). Vulnerability to extreme weather events in cities: Implications for infrastructure and livelihoods. Journal of the British Academy, 7(s2), 155–181.  https://doi.org/10.5871/jba/007s2.155 
  16. Amankwaa, E. F., & Blay, K. B. (2018). Cities at risk? Exploring the synergies between smartphones and everyday vulnerabilities. Cities, 83, 129-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2018.06.015 
  17. Amankwaa E. F., Adovor Tsikudo, A. K., & Bowman, J. (2017). ‘Away’ is a place: The impact of electronic waste recycling on blood lead levels in Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 601–602, 1566–1574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.283 
  18. Yankson, P. W. K., Gough, K. V., Esson, J., & Amankwaa, E. F. (2017). Spatial and social transformations in a secondary city: The role of mobility in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Geografisk Tidsskrift-Danish Journal of Geography, 117(2), 82-92. https://doi.org/10.1080/00167223.2017.1343672 
  19. Amankwaa, E. F. (2017). Women and men at the traffic lights: The (re)configuration and (re)gendering of street water vending in Ghana. GeoJournal, 82(2), 329-344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-015-9685-8 
  20. Oteng-Ababio, M., Smout, I., Amankwaa, E. F., & Esson, J. (2017). The divergence between acceptability of municipal services and urbanization in developing countries: Insights from Accra and Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Geografisk Tidsskrift-Danish Journal of Geography, 117(2), 142-154. https://doi.org/10.1080/00167223.2017.1331745 
  21. Owusu, G., Owusu, A. B., Amankwaa, E. F., & Eshun, F. (2017). Analyses of freshwater stress with a couple ground and surface water model in the Pra Basin, Ghana. Applied Water Science, 7(1), 137-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-015-0279-x 
  22. Esson, J., Gough, K. V., Simon, D., Amankwaa, E. F., Ninot, O., & Yankson, P. W. K. (2016). Livelihoods in motion: Linking transport, mobility and income-generating activities. Journal of Transport Geography, 55, 182-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.06.020 
  23. Eshun, F., Owusu, A. B., Owusu, G., & Amankwaa, E. F. (2015). A missed opportunity? Unravelling the marketing potentials of tourism in Ghana through GIS. International Journal of Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 4(3/4), 260-278. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijltm.2015.072120 
  24. Amankwaa, E. F. (2014). E-waste livelihoods, environment and health risks: Unpacking the connections in Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 22(2), 1-15.
  25. Chama, M. A., Amankwaa, E. F., & Oteng-Ababio, M. (2014). Trace metal levels of the Odaw river sediments at the Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site. Journal of Science and Technology, 34(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v34i1.1 
  26. Oteng-Ababio, M., & Amankwaa, E. F. (2014). The e-waste conundrum: Balancing evidence from the North and on-the ground developing countries realities for improved management. African Review of Economics and Finance, 6(1), 181-204. 
  27. Amankwaa, E. F., Owusu, A. B., Owusu, G., & Eshun, F. (2014). Accra's poverty trap: Analysing water provision in urban Ghana. Journal of Social Science for Policy Implications, 2(2), 69-89.
  28. Oteng-Ababio, M., Amankwaa, E. F., & Chama, M. A. (2014). The local contours of scavenging for e-waste and higher-valued constituent parts in Accra, Ghana. Habitat International, 43, 163-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2014.03.003 
  29. Oteng-Ababio, M., Chama, M. A., & Amankwaa, E. F. (2014). Qualitative analysis of the presence of PBDE in ashes, soils and vegetables from Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site. Journal of Environmental Research and Management, 5(4), 071-080.
  30. Amankwaa, E. F. (2013). Livelihoods in risk: Exploring health and environmental implications of e-waste recycling as a livelihood strategy in Ghana. Journal of Modern African Studies, 51(4), 551-575. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022278x1300058x 

Book chapter

  1. Amankwaa, E. F. (2024). Floods and jolts impacting the livelihoods of market women in urban Ghana. In Ejiribe, E.A., Sodzi-Tettey, S. and Ofori-Dankwa, J. (Eds). African Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economy. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, Springer Nature.

Technical reports 

  1. Amankwaa, E. F., Agyemang, E., Dhar, S. & Painuly, J. (2022). National Electric Mobility Roadmap in Ghana. UNOPS and Government of Ghana. Funded by the Climate Technology Centre and Network.
  2. Amankwaa, E.F., Agyemang, E & p-Maniflod (2022). Market feasibility study of e-Bus deployment in Accra and Kumasi. UNOPS and Government of Ghana. Funded by the Climate Technology Centre and Network. 
  3. Amankwaa, E.F., Agyemang, E., Dhar, S. & Munshi, T. (2021). National Electric Mobility Policy and Market Readiness Framework for Ghana. UNEP DTU Partnership and Government of Ghana. Funded by the Climate Technology Centre and Network.
  4. Fatima, D., Tekie, B., Obani, P., Forkuor, G., Amankwaa, E.F., Arko T., Bombande, M-A., Moyo, Q. and Yeboah, S. (2019). Africa’s Development in the Age of Stranded Assets. United Nations Institute for Natural resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) Report.
  5. Gough, K. V., Esson, J., Andreasen, M., Mainet, H., Namangaya, A., Yankson, P. W. K., Agergaard, J., Amankwaa, E. F., Kiunsi, R., Moller-Jensen, L., & Yemmafouo, A. (2015). City dynamics: mobility and livelihoods of urban residents. Deliverable 3.2, European Commission Framework 7. Denmark: University of Copenhagen. 
  6. Amankwaa, E. F., Yankson, P. W. K., Esson, J., Gough, K. V., Mensah, P., & Oteng-Ababio, M. (2015). Ghana: Settlement reports for Accra and Sekondi-Takoradi. RurbanAfrica Deliverable 3.2, European Commission Framework 7. Denmark: University of Copenhagen.

Working Papers

  1. Oteng-Ababio, M. & Amankwaa, E. F. (2024). Strengthening urban waste management by empowering waste pickers in Ghana.International Growth Center (IGC), Working Paper. London: UKAID
  2. Danquah, M., & Amankwaa, E. F. (2019). Dealing with Single-Use Plastics: Examining the Economic Effect of a Ban in Ghana. International Growth Center (IGC), Working Paper 33430. London: UKAID.
  3. Amankwaa, E. F., Tsikudo, A. K. A., & Bowman, J. (2016). Recyclers at risk? Analysis of e-waste livelihoods and blood lead levels at Ghana's recycling hub, Agbogbloshie. International Growth Center (IGC), Working Paper No. E-33113-GHA-1. London: UKAID.

Conference Proceedings

  1. Agyemang, E. Amankwaa, E. F., & Essandoh-Yeddu, J. (2023). Exploring the Barriers to Consumer Adoption and Applications of Electric Vehicles: Ghana’s Experience. 2022 IEEE & IET International Utility Conference and Exposition (IUCE -2022), Nov. 3 – 4, 2022, Accra, Ghana. 978-1-6654-5551-0/22 ©2022 IEEE
  2. Roberts, B. M., Kasei, R., Codjoe, S. N. A., Amankwaa, E. F., Gough, K.V., Abdullah, K., Mensah, P., & Lomas, K. (2022). Comparing indoor air quality in naturally ventilated and air-conditioned hospitals in the tropics. 42nd AIVC-10th TightVent & 8th venticool Conference, 2022.
  3. Amankwaa, E. F., & Gough, K. V. (2017). The contours of electricity access: Are informal governance practices left out of the SDGs? In Bawakyillenuo S., Agbelie, I. Lemaire X., Kerr D. (Eds.) (2017), Proceedings of the International Research Conference Strategies for Sustainable Energy Transitions in Urban Sub-Saharan Africa – SETUSA 19 – 20 June, 2017, and Report on the EDUSA CPD Training Course (21-24 June 2017), ISSER – UCL Energy Institute / SAMSET.
  4. Amankwaa, E. F. (2016). Poverty penalty: strategies for coping with water access problems among the urban poor in Abuja, Accra. In Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) Conference Proceeding, Ensuring Availability and Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation for All. Loughborough University, UK. Refereed Paper 2555 (pp. 1-6).

Other publications 

  1. Kayaga, S., Amankwaa, E. F., Gough, K. V., Wilby, R. L., Abarike, M. A., Codjoe, S. N. A., Kasei, R., Nabilse, C. K., Yankson, P. W. K., & Griffiths, P. L. (2020). Water and Electricity Services during Extreme Weather Events: Findings from Accra and Tamale, Ghana. Policy Brief, Loughborough University.
  2. Gough, K. V., Yankson, P. W. K., Wilby, R. L., Amankwaa, E. F., Abarike, M., Codjoe, S., Griffiths, P., Kaba, C., Kasei, R., & Kayaga, S. (2020). Health Services during Extreme Weather Events: Findings from Accra and Tamale, Ghana. Policy Brief, Loughborough University.
  3. Amankwaa, E.F. (2017). Water and electricity access for home-based enterprises and poverty reduction in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), Ghana. PhD Thesis, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
  4. Amankwaa, E. F., Bowman, J., & Tsikudo, A. K. A. (2016). Recyclers at risk? Analysis of e-waste livelihoods and blood lead levels at Ghana's recycling hub, Agbogbloshie. IGC Policy Brief No. 33113. London: UKAID. 
  5. Gough, K. V., Yankson, P. W. K., Amankwaa, E. F., Esson, J., & Adjei-Mensah, C. (2016). Implications of mobility and urban growth for planning and development in Ghana. Policy Brief, European Commission Framework 7. Denmark: University of Copenhagen.