About The Staff Member

Advancing Gender Equity, Policy Research & Climate Resilience in Africa

Meet Dr. Mavis Akuffobea-Essilfie, Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI), Ghana. A leading voice in gender-sensitive policy, climate resilience, and inclusive development, Dr. Akuffobea-Essilfie’s work spans agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, and climate change, shaping national and continental policy with equity and data at the center.

She helped develop the aflatoxin control policy, designed gender strategies for agricultural extension, and advised on food system transformation. She was also a DFID Policy Advisor on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification and led gender research in cassava value chains (PEP/IDRC), and has held key roles including:
- Gender Lead – Ghana Science Granting Council Initiative
- PI – Gender & climate impact studies in Ghana and West Africa
- Co-PI – Swedish Research Council cocoa-climate resilience projects (Ghana, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire)
- Consultant – AGRA, CABI, WTO-STDF, EU Horizon (CEA-FIRST), IDRC

Dr. Akuffobea-Essilfie holds a PhD and MPhil in Sociology (University of Ghana), a BA in Sociology & Law (KNUST), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Change (Univeraity of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)). She’s a published scholar in Learning Environments Research, International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, and more.
Some selected works include:
- Barriers to engineering education for women in Ghana (2025)
- Multi-stakeholder learning in sustainable agriculture (2021)
- Rainwater harvesting adoption in Ghana (2019)
Awards & affiliations include DFID Fellow, Gates/NIH Equity Forum, GETFund Scholar, GSAA, RSA, and Ghana Science Association member.

Dr. Akuffobea-Essilfie’s research informs policy, empowers communities, and builds resilience across Africa.