Brief History of IESS
The Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS) began in 1998 as the Environmental Science Programme (ESP), created to address complex environmental challenges through a multidisciplinary scientific approach. Initially offering an MPhil, the programme expanded to include a PhD in Environmental Science and drew expertise from across the University of Ghana and partner institutions.
In 2010, the ESP programme was restructured into the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, bringing the Volta Basin Research Project (VBRA) and the Ecological Laboratory (Ecolab) under a unified academic and research mandate. This transition strengthened the Institute’s capacity to advance environmental sustainability, sanitation management, and applied research at community, national, and regional levels.
To meet evolving national and global development needs, IESS introduced two additional postgraduate programmes in 2018: MPhil Sustainability Science and MPhil Environmental Sanitation, both designed to train professionals capable of integrating sustainability and environmental considerations into research, planning and development practice.
As of 2025, IESS has graduated over 300 MPhil and more than 60 PhD students who now serve in academia, government, civil society, and industry. Through cutting‑edge research, policy engagement, community outreach, and strong national and international partnerships, the Institute continues to shape environmental governance, inform sustainable development, and empower communities across Ghana and beyond
Our Mission
To meet the nation's needs for a broad-based education, training and research in the science, policy, and management of environmental and sanitation processes in the wider African and global context.
Our Vision
To position IESS as the leader of interdisciplinary research, teaching and innovation in the environmental and sustainability domains in Ghana and the sub-region.