Professor Kwaku Oppong Asante

Professor

Contact info koppongasante@ug.edu.gh

About

Professor Kwaku Oppong Asante is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Ghana, Accra. His research focuses on the mental health of adolescents and young adults, with particular interest in suicidal behaviour, common mental health disorders, and substance abuse and misuse. He is considered a global leading researcher whose work influences policy and advances child and adolescent mental health, especially within the African region. Professor Oppong Asante is deeply committed to mentoring Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and has guided many to publish in high-impact journals over the past decade. He has an extensive publication record and has served as an ad-hoc reviewer for numerous academic journals for more than 17 years. He currently serves as Editor of the Ghana Social Science Journal and as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Adolescent Medicine, BMC Public Health, and Scientific Reports. Professor Oppong Asante has facilitated several "Writing for Publication" workshops for ECRs at institutions including the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and multiple South African universities such as the University of Johannesburg, University of Limpopo, University of the Free State, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa
  • PhD in Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa
  • MPhil in Human Development (Psychology), Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
  • BA(Hons) Psychology with Information Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

Research Interest

  • Adolescent and young adults’ mental health 
  • Suicidal behaviours
  • Common mental health problems 
  • Substance abuse and misuse 
  • Resilience 
  • Mental health literacy
  • Sexual abuse and interpersonal violence (SAIV)

Publications

  1. Klutsey, D. A., Amankwah-Poku, M., Quarshie, E. N-B., & Oppong Asante, K. (2025). Common mental health outcomes and access to support services among adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 15 (8), e092510. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-092510 
  2. Quarshie, E. N-B., Dickson, E. D., Quarshie, S. N-S., Kpebu, S. E. A., & Oppong Asante, K. (2025). Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana: A cross-sectional study. General Psychiatry, 38, e101643. https://doi.org/10.1136/gpsych-2024-101643 
  3. Bonsu, A. S., Salifu Yendork, J., Oppong Asante, K., Dotse, E. J., Owusu Ansah, K. (2025). Psychological distress among community-based mental health professionals in Ghana: prevalence and contributing factors. Discover Mental Health 5(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00167-9 
  4. Quarshie, E. N. B., Fobi, D., Honu-Mensah, C. M., Appiah, E. E., Obeng, E., Bokpin, I. N., ... & Oppong Asante, K. (2025). Sexual violence victimisation among deaf adolescents: a multi-school-based cross-sectional study from Ghana. Disability and Health Journal, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2025.101812
  5. Acquaye, G. L. N. A., Quarshie, E, N-B., Yendork, J. S., & Oppong Asante, K. (2024). Child sexual abuse in Ghana: A multi‐methods exploratory study. Children and Society, 38(5), 1654-1675. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12830
  6. Oppong Asante, K., Ampaw, S., & Gyan, S. E. (2024). Consistent condom use among sexually active young adults in Ghana: an analysis of prevalence and associated factors. Global Health Promotion, 31(1), 75-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/17579759231205850 
  7. Oppong Asante, K., & Quarshie, E.N.B. (2024). The epidemiology of alcohol use among a nationally representative sample of school-going adolescents in Namibia. Trends in Psychology, 32(1), 122-137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s43076-022-00236-w
  8. Oppong Asante, K. & Atorkey, P.(2023). Cannabis and amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country analysis of prevalence and associated factors. BMC Psychiatry 23(1), 778. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05283-w 
  9. Quarshie, E. N. B., Dey, N. E. Y., & Oppong Asante, K. (2023). Adolescent suicidal behaviour in Namibia: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and correlates among 3,152 school learners aged 12–17 years. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 169. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04646-7 
  10. Sodi, T., Quarshie, E.N.B., Oppong Asante, K., Radzilani-Makatu, M., Makgahlela, M., & Nkoana, S. (2022). Mental health literacy of school-going adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: A regional systematic review protocol. BMJ Open, 12, e063687 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063687