Professor Gerald A. B. Yiran

College of Humanities International Program Coordinator

Contact info gyiran@ug.edu.gh

About

Gerald is a geodetic engineer and a geographer and has over 10 years of professional experience. He has an excellent knowledge of Remote Sensing and GIS applications and Climate change vulnerability/adaptation analysis. He did assess land degradation in the Bawku East District of Ghana in 2007/2008 using a combination of Remote Sensing and community-based approaches. He was a member of the team that drafted National Climate Change Policy Strategy focus area on migration; He participated in the investigation of the impacts of urbanization and climate change on agriculture in Tamale and performed the Spatial analysis of land use change and other GIS related works for the project; He similarly participated in CECAR-Africa Project (a Climate and Ecosystems change assessment project) where he was in charge of the analysis of land use changes and performed other GIS operations. He has also done some studies on health notably a study on Bruli Ulcer using GIS and study on COVID-19 infections in Ghana. His current research work is on climate change and mobility in Urban Accra (title CLIMACCESS – a collaborative research between University of Ghana, CSIR and University of Copenhagen sponsored by DANIDA). This research work is investigating the impact of climate change events particularly flooding on mobility of people and livelihoods in Accra. Gerald oversaw satellite image analysis for the Multi-Scale Flood Monitoring and Assessment Services for West Africa (MIFMASS), GMES & Africa under the EU Support Programme. He has also done some research on urban studies and in this regard, he has researched on urban sprawl and its effects including its effects on changing livelihoods and domestic energy; conducted a comparative analysis of urban expansion between two Ghanaian cities, contributed to research on profiling the city of Tamale. He has since 2009 been teaching and supervising students in the use of Remote Sensing and GIS applications. He is also a student member of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors. Gerald holds PhD, MPhil In Geography and Resource Development and BSc in Geodetic Engineering. He is a professional member of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors. He has published extensively with over 30 publications in peer reviewed journals on issues on climate change, especially flooding, agriculture, urbanisation, and socioeconomic issues and groundwater.

Education

2014: PhD, Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

2008: Mphil, Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.  

2004: Postgraduate Dip in GIS, University of Applied Sciences TFH-Berlin, Germany.

2010: Diploma in Statistics, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 

2000: BSc, Geodetic Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.

Research Interest

Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in:

  1. Land use/land cover change analysis
  2. Urban studies 
  3. Geo-Visualization
  4. Natural resource management
  5. Poverty Alleviation
  6. Environmental Change (Land and Climate) 
  7. Vulnerability/Adaptation analysis

Publications

Journal articles

  1. Yiran, G. A. B., Kwang, C., & Blagogie, L. (2024). Optimizing flood risk modelling with high-resolution remote sensing data and analytic hierarchy process. SN Social Sciences, 4(6), 111.
  2. Yao Kofie, R., Allotey, A. N. M., Møller-Jensen, L., & Yiran, G. A. B. (2024). A geospatial perspective of flood risk hotspots, transport networks and emergency response services in Accra, Ghana. Geografisk Tidsskrift-Danish Journal of Geography, 1-17.
  3. Hogba, E., & Yiran, G. A. B. (2024). Analysing the spatial pattern of retail store locations in the urban environment of Accra using GIS. GeoJournal, 89(3), 102.
  4. Yiran, G. A. B., Oteng Ababio, M., Allotey, A. N. M., Kofie, R. Y., & Møller-Jensen, L. (2024). Spatial Analysis of Exposure of Roads to Flooding and Its Implications for Mobility in Urban/Peri-Urban Accra. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 13(4), 111.
  5. Moller-Jensen, L., Allotey, A. N., Kofie, R. Y., & Yiran, G. A. B. (2023). How Does Flooding Influence Intra-Urban Mobility? The Case of Accra. Sustainability, 15(20), 14997.
  6. Owusu, A. B., Yiran, G. A. B., Afagbedzi, S. K., & Takyi, E. (2023). District-level analysis of socio-demographic factors and COVID-19 infections in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, Ghana. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1140108.
  7. Yiran, G. A. B., Ablo, A. D., & Asem, F. E. (2023). Is mango farming sustainable? An integrated analysis of remote sensing techniques and smallholder farmers’ perception in mango farming communities in Ghana. Ghana Social Science Journal, 20(1), 71-96.
  8. Møller-Jensen, L., Agergaard, J., Andreasen, M. H., Kofie, R. Y., Yiran, G. A.B., & Oteng- Ababio, M. (2023). Probing political paradox: Urban expansion, floods risk vulnerability and social justice in urban Africa. Journal of Urban Affairs, 45(3), 505-521.
  9. Andreasen, M. H., Agergaard, J., Møller-Jensen, L., Oteng-Ababio, M., & Yiran, G. A. B. (2022). Mobility disruptions in Accra: Recurrent flooding, fragile infrastructure and climate change. Sustainability, 14(21), 13790.
  10. Yiran, G. A. B., Atubiga, J. A., Kusimi, J. M., Kwang, C., & Owusu, A. B. (2022). Adaptation to perennial flooding and food insecurity in the Sudan savannah agroecological zone of Ghana. Environmental Research, 114037.
  11. Hagan, G. B., Minkah, R., Yiran, G. A.B., & Dankyi, E. (2022). Assessing groundwater quality in peri-urban Accra, Ghana: Implications for drinking and irrigation purposes. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 17, 100761. doi:                   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2022.100761.
  12. Quaye, A. K., Doe, E. K., Attua, E. M., Yiran, G., Arthur, A., Dogbatse, J. A., Konlan, S., Nkroma, Y.D. & Addo, D. (2021). Geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon and soil pH within the cocoa agroecological zones of Ghana. Geoderma, 386, 114921.
  13. Yiran, G. A. B. (2020). Urban sprawl and sustainability: A comparative Analysis of Accra and Kumasi urban regions. Ghana Social Science Journal, 17(1), 11-30.
  14. Yiran, G. A. B., Ablo, A. D., & Asem, F. E. (2020). Urbanisation and domestic energy trends: Analysis of household energy consumption patterns in relation to land-use change in peri-urban Accra, Ghana. Land Use Policy,99(online), 105047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.105047 
  15. Yiran, G.A.B., Ablo, A. D., Asem, F. E., & Owusu, G. (2020). Urban Sprawl in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of the literature in selected countries. Ghana Journal of Geography, 12(1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.4314/gjg.v12i1.1
  16. Tankpa, V., Wang, L., Yiran, G.A.B., & Guo, X. (2019). Detecting and Predicting the Impact of Urban Planning on Land Use/Land Cover Change in Ashi River Watershed, China. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 28, 11: 7933-7944.
  17. Fuseini, I., Yaro, J.A. & Yiran, G.A.B. (2017). City profile: Tamale, Ghana. Cities, 60, 64–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2016.07.010.    
  18. Yiran, G.A.B. & Stringer, L.C. (2017). Adaptation to Climatic Hazards in the Savannah Ecosystem: Improving Adaptation Policy and Action. Environmental Management, 60:665–678. DOI 10.1007/s00267-017-0901-9. 
  19. Yiran, G.A.B., Stringer, L.C., Attua, E.M., Evans, A.J., Challinor, A.J. & Gyasi, E.A. (2017). Spatial Mapping of Vulnerability of Multi-sector to Multi-hazards in the Savanna Ecosystem in Ghana. Regional Environmental Change, 17, 3:665–676. doi:10.1007/s10113-016-1054-8 
  20. Yiran, G.A.B. & Stringer, L.C. (2016). Spatio-temporal analyses of impacts of multiple climatic hazards in a savannah ecosystem of Ghana. Climate Risk Management 14, 11–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2016.09.003. 
  21. Fynn, F.O., Yidana, S.M., Chegbeleh, L.P. & Yiran, G.B. (2016). Evaluating groundwater  recharge processes using stable isotope signatures—the Nabogo catchment of the White Volta, Ghana. Arab J Geosci, 9:279. DOI 10.1007/s12517-015-2299-0. 
  22. Kusimi, J.M., Yiran, G.A.B. & Attua, E.M. (2016). Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield Modelling in the Pra River Basin of Ghana using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). Ghana Journal of Geography, 7, 2, 38–57
  23. Yiran, G-S.A., Teye, J.K. & Yiran, G.A.B. (2015). Accessibility and Utilisation of Maternal Health Services by Migrant Female Head Porters in Accra. Journal of International Migration & Integration 16:929–945. DOI: 10.1007/s12134-014-0372-2. 
  24. Antwi, E.K., Boakye-Danquah, J., Asabere, S.B., Yiran, G.A.B., Loh, S.K., Awere, K.G., Abagale, F.K., Asubonteng, K.O., Attua, E.M. & Owusu, A.B. (2014). Land Use and Landscape Structural Changes in the Ecoregions of Ghana. Journal of Disaster Research, 9, 4: 452-467.
  25. Antwi, E.K., Otsuki, K., Saito, O., Obeng, F.B., Gyekye, K.A., Boakye-Danquah, J., Boafo, Y.A., Kusakari, Y., Yiran, G.A.B., Owusu, A.B., Asubonteng, K.O., Dzivenu, T., Avornyo, V.K., Abagale, F.K., Jasaw, J.S., Lolig, V., Ganiyu, S., Donkoh, S.A., Yeboah, R., Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G., Gyasi, E.A., Minia, Z., Ayuk, E.T., Matsuda, H., Ishikawa, H., Ito, O. & Takeuchi, K. (2014). Developing a Community-Based Resilience Assessment Model with reference to Northern Ghana. Journal of Integrated Disaster Risk Management. IDRiM (2014), 4, 1:73-92. DOI10.5595/idrim.2014.0066.
  26. Kenu, E., Ganu, V., Calys-Tagoe, B.N.L., Yiran, G.A.B., Lartey, M., & Adanu, R. (2014). Application of geographical information system (GIS) technology in the control of Buruli ulcer in Ghana. BMC Public Health 2014, 14, 724:1-9.
  27. Nyerere, J., Mfune, O., Fuh, D., Sulemana, N., Mutisya, E., Yiran, G., Fadairo, O., Ameyaw, J. & Odingo, A. (2014). The Role of Higher Education in Building a Sustainable African Society. African Journal of Sustainable Development. Special Edition, 4, 3: 17-37.
  28. Odingo A., Fadairo, O., Ameyaw, J., Yiran, G., Mutisya, E., Mfune, O., Fuh, D., Nyerere, J. &  Sulemana, N. (2014). Learning to Solve Africa's Problems by Africans: Innovations for Addressing the Canker of Corruption. African Journal of Sustainable Development. Special Edition, 4, 3: 105-133.
  29. Peprah, K., Yiran, G.B. & Barimah-Owusu, A. (2014). Land use trajectories, forest cover change and consequential land degradation of the Asunafo forest, Ghana. International Journal of Innovative Research and Studies, 3, 2:487-503.
  30. Kusimi, B.A., Kusimi J.M., & Yiran G.B., (2013). Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Mining within the Catchment of Mining Companies at Tarkwa. Ghana Social Science Journal, 10, 1 & 2: 25-52.
  31. Yiran, G.A.B., Kusimi, J.M, & Kufogbe, S.K (2012). A Synthesis of Remote Sensing and Local Knowledge Approaches in Assessing Land Degradation in the Bawku East District – Ghana. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 14, 1:204–213. 
  32. Kusimi J.M. & Yiran G.A.B. (2011). Local knowledge on detection and analysis of land degradation in the Bakwu East Municipality. Ghana Journal of Geography, 3: 88-125.
  33. Yidana, S.M, Yiran, G.A.B., Sakyi, P.A., Nude, P.M. & Banoeng-Yakubo, B. (2011). Groundwater Evolution in the Voltaian Basin, Ghana – An application of multivariate statistical analyses to hydrochemical data, Natural Science Journal, 3, 10: 837-854. 
  34. Kufogbe, S.K., Jayson-Quashigah, P.N. and Yiran, G.B. (2010). Who wins the 2008 Ghana presidential elections? Options and lessons from exploring the 2000 and 2004 voting patterns in Greater Accra Region. Ghana Social Science Journal, 7, 2: 92-118.

Book chapters 

  1. Azumah, D. M. Y., Hinson, R. E., Nukpezah, D., & Yiran, G. A. B. (2021). Visual Pollution Through Excessive Outdoor Advertisements. Marketing Communications in Emerging Economies, Volume I: Foundational and Contemporary Issues, 193-228.
  2. Boafo, Y. A., Saito, O., Jasaw, G. S., Yiran, G.A.B., Lam, R. D., Mohan, G., & Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G. (2020). Perceived Community Resilience to Floods and Droughts Induced by Climate Change in Semi-arid Ghana Sustainability Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa I (pp. 191-219): Springer: Singapore
  3. Ablo, A. D., Asem, F.E., Yiran, G.A.B. & Owusu, G. (2020). Urban sprawl, land use change and changing rural agrarian livelihoods in peri-urban Accra, Ghana. In F. Kapfudzaruwa, S. Kudo, K. Matsuyama, & D. I. Allasiw (Eds.), Rural-Urban Linkages and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Studies from Africa. Spears Media Press: DENVER, U.S.A.
  4. Antwi, E.K., Mensah, R., Attua, E.M., Yiran, G., Boakye-Danquah, J., Ametepe, R. & Boadi, D.A. (2018). Assessing Land and Ecosystem Management at the Local level in the Savanah Ecological Zone and the Implications for Sustainability. In: Strategies for Building Resilience against Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Sub-Saharan Africa [Saito, O., Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G., Takeuchi, K. & Gyasi, E.A. (Eds)]. Springer Nature: Singapore. 
  5. Sulemana, N., & Yiran, G.A.B. (2018). Urbanisation and Smallholder Livelihood Security in Africa: A Case Study of Coping Strategies of Peri-urban Dwellers in Tamale. In S. K. Farai Kapfudzaruwa, Orleans Mfune, Melissa Hansen & Jackline & Nyerere (Eds.), Rural-Urban Linkages and Sustainable Development in Africa. Spears Media Press: DENVER, U.S.A.
  6. Yiran, G.A.B. (2016). Mapping Social Capital for Adaptation to Climatic Variability in a Savannah Ecosystem of Ghana. In: Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability in Rural West Africa [A. Yaro and J. Hesselberg (eds.)]. 215-237. Springer: Switzerland.
  7. Gyasi, E.A., Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G., Fosu, M., Mensah, A.M., Yiran, G. & Fuseini, I. (2014). Managing Threats and Opportunities of Urbanisation for Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture in Tamale, Ghana. In: The Security of Water, Food, Energy and Liveability of                   Cities: Challenges and Opportunities for Peri-Urban Futures [Maheshwari, B., Purohit, R., Malano, H., Singh, V.P. & Amerasinghe, P. (eds.)]. 71: 87-97. Springer: London & New York. 
  8. Gyekye, K.A., Kusimi, J.M. & Yiran, G.A.B. (2013). Geomorphological Processes and Landforms of the Coastal Environment. In: Selected Readings in Geography: Essays in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the University of Ghana [Owusu, G., Agyei-Mensah, S. & Attua, E.M. (eds.)]. Social Science series Vol. 2. (pp.17-33). Woeli Publisers series: University of Ghana. Accra. 
  9. Kufogbe, S.K., Owusu, A.B. & Yiran, G.A.B. (2013). The Map as a Tool for Explanations  in Geography. In: Selected Readings in Geography: Essays in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the University of Ghana [Owusu, G., Agyei-Mensah, S. &     Attua, E.M. (eds.)]. Social Science series. Vol. 2. (pp. 34-48). Woeli Publisers series: University of Ghana. Accra. 
  10. Owusu, A.B., Kufogbe, S.K. & Yiran, G.A.B. (2013). Challenges in the design and implementation of Geo-Spatial Data Infrastructure for Urban Land Use Planning in Ghana. In: Selected Readings in Geography: Essays in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the University of Ghana [Owusu, G., Agyei-Mensah, S. & Attua, E.M. (eds.)]. Social Science series. Vol. 2. (pp.49-66). Woeli Publisers series: University of Ghana. Accra.
  11. Yiran, G.A.B., Owusu, A.B. & Kufogbe, S.K. (2013). Understanding Field Techniques for Geographic Data collection. In: Selected Readings in Geography: Essays in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the University of Ghana [Owusu, G., Agyei-Mensah, S. & Attua, E.M. (eds.)]. Social Science series. Vol. 2. (pp.248-264). Woeli Publisers series: University of Ghana. Accra.

Technical publications

  1. Yiran, G.A.B. & Stringer, L.C. (2015). Adaptation to climatic hazards in the savannah ecosystem: improving adaptation policy and action. SRI working paper No. 83: 1-35. SRI Papers (Online) ISSN 1753-1330. http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/research/ sri/working-papers/ 
  2. Gyasi, E.A., Fosu, M., Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G., Mensah, A.M., Obeng, F., Yiran, G.A.B. & Fuseini. I. (2014). Building Urban Resilience: Assessing Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture in Tamale, Ghana. [Padgham, J. and J. Jabbour (eds.)]. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Nairobi: UNEP.
  3. Cook, S., Rubiano, J., Sullivan, C., Andah, W., Ashante, F., Wallace, J., Terrasson, I., Nikiema, A., Kemp-Benedict, E., Tourino, I. & Yiran, G.A.B. (2007). Water Poverty Mapping in the Volta Basin: Looking for linkages between Water and Poverty. A focal basin project workshop report, Accra, Ghana, 3-8 March, 2007. Online at www.waterforfood.org.