UPSA Launches PhD Programme in Public Policy and Leadership

Accra: The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has launched a PhD in Public Policy Leadership programme aimed at enhancing the skills of policymakers. The new initiative is part of UPSA's efforts to expand its academic offerings and meet the growing demand for specialized education in policy and data analysis. According to Ghana News Agency, the university also introduced bachelor's and master's degree programmes in Applied Statistics, focusing on improving statistical research and analysis. With these additions, UPSA now offers a total of 69 fully accredited programmes, marking a significant expansion since it first began offering undergraduate degrees in 2005. Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Vice Chancellor of UPSA, emphasized that the new programmes are designed to align with current trends in nation-building. He highlighted the importance of integrating policy insights, evidence-based decision-making, and data integrity into leadership roles to avoid instability, inefficiency, and conf usion. Prof Mawutor revealed that the PhD programme was developed following discussions with a Member of Parliament who stressed the necessity for MPs to enhance their capabilities in policy-making and evaluation. Collaborating with the Education Unit and parliamentary leadership, the course was structured to be both practical and industry-driven. He noted the significance of the work MPs do in Parliament and the programme's focus on enabling them to assess and evaluate policies effectively. Prof Mawutor also mentioned the possibility of launching the programme at Parliament to facilitate access for parliamentarians. The PhD programme spans four years, with an option to extend for two additional years, and offers a blended approach to learning through virtual and in-person sessions. Similarly, the bachelor's in Applied Statistics will run for four years, and the master's for two years.