About

Professor Charity S. Akotia is a Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon. She has been Dean of the School of Social Sciences (2014 to 2020) and has served as Head of Department for two terms. She is a Social/Community Psychologist, and her primary research interest lies in mental health, specifically, suicide and suicide prevention in a cultural context, as well as social issues related to gender. As a community psychologist, she works closely with marginalised groups in promoting social justice and social change in their communities. Professor Akotia has published widely in several local and international journals. She has also presented papers at conferences worldwide, including keynote addresses. She is currently the National Representative for the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in Ghana.

Education

1. BA Hons (UG, Legon)
2. MA (WLU, Canada)
3. PhD (UG, Legon)

Research Interest

• Mental health, specifically suicide and suicide prevention
• Gender and gender role attitudes
• Ageing and the elderly
• Personhood

Publications

1. Aglozo, E. Y., Akotia, C. S., Osei-Tutu, A., & Andoh-Arthur, J. (2024).“I am growing, but I don’t give up”: Spiritual experiences of older adults in Ghana, Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 1-19. DOI: 10.1177/00846724241275106.
2. Anum, A., Akotia, C. S., & de-Graft Aikins, A. (2024). What accounts for quality of life among older adults? Examining chronic physical health, mental health, and social support among ethnically diverse populations in Ghana, Cogent Gerontology, 3(1), 2308846, DOI: 10.1080/28324897.2024.2308846
3. Anyan F, Andoh-Arthur, J., Adjei, S. B., & Akotia, C. S. (2024). Mental health problems, interpersonal trust, and socio-cultural correlates of corruption perception in Ghana. Front. Public Health 12:1269579. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1269579
4. Ofei, S. D., Teye-Kwadjo, E., Amankwah-Poku, M., Gyasi-Gyamerah, A. A., Akotia, C.S. Osafo, J. Roomaney, R., & Kagee, A. (2023). Determinants of posttraumatic growth and quality of life in Ghanaian breast cancer survivors. Cancer Investigation, 41(3), 1 – 35. DOI:10.1080/07357907.2023.2181636
5. Dadzie, H. A. N., Teye-Kwadjo, E., Oppong Asante, K., Amankwah-Poku, M., Gyasi-Gyamerah, A. A., Akotia, C. S., ... & Kagee, A. (2023). Psychological Factors Associated with Mental Adjustment to Breast Cancer: A Hospital-Based Observational Study. Illness, Crisis & Loss, 10541373231176018.
6. Osafo, J., Asare-Doku, W., & Akotia, C. S. (2023). Exploring the role of religion in the recovery experiences of suicide attempt survivors. BMC Psychiatry, http://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04674-3
7. Gavi, J. K., Akotia, C. S., Osafo, J., Gyasi-Gyamerah, A. A., Andoh-Arthur, J, & Asafo, S. M. (2022). Conceptions of personhood in Ghana: An emic perspective. Ghana Social Science Journal,19 (1).
8. Osafo, J., Akotia, C. S., Andoh-Arthur, J., & Puplampu, B. M. (2021). The role of religious leaders in suicide  prevention in Ghana. A qualitative analysis. Pastoral Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089