Our People

Our Staff Members

Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga

Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga

Research Scientist / Head, Commercialization and Information Division

Specialities

Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, environmental justice, and Circular bioeconomy

Contact Info

+233302779401

gakon-yamga@csir-stepri.org

About The Staff Member

Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga is a researcher with an extensive career spanning over 17 years. His expertise lies in science technology and innovation (STI) policy, environmental sustainability, circular bioeconomy, natural resources governance, and stakeholder engagement. Currently serving as a Research Scientist and Head of the Commercialisation and Information Division at the CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI), Dr. Akon-Yamga has significantly contributed to the advancement of STI in Africa. Dr. Akon-Yamga earned his PhD in Environmental Philosophy from the University of North Texas, USA, in 2018. Prior to this, he obtained a Master of Philosophy in Environmental Science (2005) and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Geography and Resource Development (2001) from the University of Ghana, Legon. This education laid a robust foundation for his multidisciplinary approach to research and policy analysis. Dr. Akon-Yamga's key skill set encompasses environmental and social assessments, public policy analysis, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning. He is proficient in research design and execution in social sciences and humanities, with technical skills in R, ATLAS.ti, IBM SPSS, and Microsoft Office. Additionally, he is multilingual, speaking four Ghanaian languages and basic French. Dr. Akon-Yamga is actively involved in professional and advisory boards. His affiliations include: Advisory Panel Member, Invest in Open Infrastructure (2023-Present); Member, Philosophers for Sustainability (2022-Present); Board Member, Ecological Nest Ghana (2022-Present); Member, Research Staff Association of Ghana (2006-Present); and Member, American Philosophical Association (2016-Present)


Publications

Peer-Review Journals

Akon-Yamga, G., Daniels, C. U., Quaye, W., Ting, B. M., & Asante, A. A. (2021). Transformative innovation policy approach to e-waste management in Ghana: Perspectives of actors on transformative changes. Science and Public Policy, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scab005

Akon-Yamga, G., Funkor, G., Tsey, K., Kingsford-Adaboh, R., Quaye, W., & Ntewusu, D. A. (2024). Perspectives from students and teachers about the challenges of teaching and learning STEM subjects in Ghana (forthcoming). Frontiers in Education, 9. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1288413/full

Awuni, S., Adarkwah, F., & Akon-Yamga, G. (2020). Evaluation of Cyrtobagous Salviniae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Biological Control of Salvinia Molesta (Salviniaceae) in Ghana. Journal of Ghana Science Association, 19(1), 1–7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353447545_EVALUATION_OF_Cyrtobagous_salviniae_Coleoptera_Curculionidae_IN_THE_BIOLOGICAL_CONTROL_OF_Salvinia_molesta_Salviniaceae_IN_GHANA#fullTextFileContent

Quaye, W., Asante-Addo, C., Akon-Yamga, G., Yeboah, M., & Safo, N. K. (2023). How consumers’ motivations and perceptions shape consumption of domestic products in COVID-19 era: A case of poultry meat in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, 58(1), 128–146. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjas/article/view/252058

Tetteh, E. K., Akon-Yamga, G., Jumpah, E., & Omari, R. (2019). Scientific human resource for national development in Ghana: Issues and challenges. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2019.1596396

Williams, P. A., Akon-Yamga, G., Onumah, J. A., Akuffobea-Essilfie, M., Quaye, W., & Agyemang, A. (2024). Understanding the impacts of innovation and other business support interventions on SMEs development - Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa from an evidence-based review. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. [In Press; accepted]. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YglukoeJxqCljJJ57e5pd8r4cxqzbO6-/view?usp=share_link

R & D Activities

2023-2024
State of STI Funding Flows in AfricaInternational Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada
2021-2024
Distributional Impacts of Innovation and SME Support in Ghana IDRC, Canada
2022-2023
Strengthening STI Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa: Phase 1 SIDA through UNESCO
2023-2023
Making Agricultural Trade Sustainable (MATS). EC, HORIZON 2020
2021-2022
Strengthening STI Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa: Phase 2. SIDA through UNESCO
2020-2024
Achieving Wider Uptake of Water-Smart Solutions. EC, HORIZON 2020
2020-2021
Study for the Promotion of Gender and Productive Uses of Energy in Mini-Grids and Standalone Electrification Under in Ghana, Consultancy Services for the Ministry of Energy, Ghana. Government of Ghana (Ministry of Energy)
2020-2023
Women in engineering education and careers in Benin and Ghana (WEEC-BG). IDRC, Canada
2018-2020
Study and Analysis of the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Ecosystem in Ghana African Centre for Technology Studies
2020-2010
Mapping of Climate Innovation Capacity and Activities in Ghana. Department For International Development (DFID, UK) through Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN)
2010-2014
Network for the Coordination and Advancement of sub-Saharan Africa-EU Science & Technology (CAAST-Net) Top-Up. European Commission (EC) FP7
2009-2010
Agricultural Innovations for Climate Change Adaptation. African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) Network
2009-2015
Nkosoo 2015—Nurturing Sustainable Oil and Gas Supply Industry in Ghana. NORAD, Norway
2009-2009
Building Capacity to Accelerate Climate Innovation - Ghana. WWF, Sweden
2007-2008
UNCTAD Mission to Review Ghana’s STI Policy, Government of Ghana, World Bank, UNCTAD. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development/World Bank

Work Experience

March 2018 - Present
Research Scientist CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute
Aug 2012 - May 2017
University of North Texas Teaching Fellow
Nov 2006 - Aug 2011
Research Scientist CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute
Aug 2003 - Dec 2005
Tutor University of Ghana, Legon

Education & Certification

Aug 2011 - May 2018
PhD, Environmental Philosophy University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
Aug 2003 - Dec 2005
Master of Philosophy (MPhil.), Environmental Science University of Ghana, Legon
Sep 1997 - May 2001
Bachelor of Arts(Hons.), Geography and Resource Development University of Ghana, Legon
2023
African Union-New Partnership for Africa Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Certificate of Participation, Training on Collecting and Analysing R&D and Innovation Data
2021
Certificate in Executive Leadership Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation for Public and Private Sector University of Ghana, Legon, ISSER
2020
Training on Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and Policy Instruments for SDGs UN-IATT WS6 Focal Points (UNCTAD-UNESCO)

Address

CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI) P. O. Box CT. 519 Cantonments - Accra

Talk to us

233-302-773856
233-302-779401

 

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