I warmly welcome you to the website of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana. I am honoured to lead IESS into its next chapter, building on a rich legacy of insightful research, teaching, and policy engagement. IESS is a leading training and research institute at the University of Ghana (UG), the premier Higher Educational Institution in Ghana with well-established systems to support national and international collaborations. The mission of IESS is to meet the nation's needs for a broadbased education, training and research in the science, policy, and management of environmental and sanitation processes in the wider African and global context. One of the primary strengths of the IESS is its faculty with multi- and transdisciplinary backgrounds spanning the basic and applied sciences, including the social sciences, as well as its technical staff with the capacity to run various ecological analyses. The IESS is structured to also draw faculty from various departments of the University in the delivery of its mandate of teaching and research.

The Institute’s vision is clear: to position IESS as the leader of interdisciplinary research, teaching and innovation in the environmental and sustainability domains in Ghana and the sub-region. As a leading Research and Teaching Institute, IESS brings together over a score competent researchers and support team who conduct cutting-edge, policyrelevant work on the continent’s environmental and sustainability focused research priorities. We collaborate with global, regional and national partners to undertake impactful and policy-relevant research. Our portfolio spans interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects across Africa, and we welcome partnerships in research and advocacy.

We are ready to work with partners to drive Africa’s environmental and sustainability transformation. Our graduate programmes (PhD Environmental Science, MPhil Environmental Science, MPhil Sustainability Science and MPhil Environmental Sanitation Studies) provide rigorous training that produces professionals who serve in academia, industry, government, NGOs, and multilateral institutions. These programmes equip students with the facts, information, and skills to address environmental and sustainable development issues associated with waste management, mining, coastal erosion, deforestation, climate change, pollution, among others, with a focus on enhancing the relationship between society and the environment for innovative and sustainable solutions. The nature of our training programmes continues to develop graduates who are well equipped and versatile with the necessary skills to function effectively as researchers; have the competitive edge on the global job market; and ready to take up the challenges in managing the environment and sustainable development issues. 

IESS’s strategic priorities reinforce our leadership in research, teaching, policy advice, and advocacy, while ensuring we adapt as the research and academic landscape evolves. Thus, we are introducing new set of short courses that responds directly to the needs of key stakeholders including Industry. Whether you are a prospective student, alumni, researcher, policymaker, current student, or development partner, I invite you to explore our website and engage with our work. Together, we can generate the evidence and ideas needed to advance inclusive environmental protection and sustainable development in Ghana, across Africa, and the world at large. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Thank you for visiting.

Professor Daniel Nukpezah,

Director.