Prof. Jesse Sey Ayivor


An IESS Faculty Member

Associate Professor 

Professor Jesse Sey Ayivor is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, and has over 25 years of research experience in environmental management and nature conservation. He  holds a PhD in Environmental Science, University of Ghana, Legon, and MSc. degree in Environmental Studies, Ohio University, USA. He also holds an MPhil degree in Geography and Resource Development from the University of Ghana. He has carried out extensive research on forest resource management, human dimension of wildlife management, artisanal and small-scale mining, climate change adaptation, and management effectiveness of protected areas. He has over 50 publications in related areas of research, and teaches graduate courses in Forest Resource Management, Biodiversity and Conservation, Sanitation under Emergency Disaster and Population and Urbanization Studies. 

Research Areas

  • Forest resource management: Including forest degradation, agroforestry, agro-bioversity, forest reserves management, and alternative livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.
  • Wildlife protected area management: Evaluation of management effectiveness of wildlife protected areas and fringe-community involvement in protected area management.
  • Environmental degradation and rehabilitation: Land cover and land use change analysis and conservation strategies.
  • Mangrove ecosystems management: Sustainable resource use in mangrove areas and mangrove forest rehabilitation.
  • Effects of small-scale mining on forest resources in Ghana: Including land-use conversion, the socio-economic impacts on local communities, and mining policies and regulation.
  • Flood disaster risk management: With a focus on early warning, response strategies during disaster and resettlement/rehabilitation.
  • Climate change, vulnerability, and adaptation with a focus on farming and forest resources. 

Recent Publications

Book Chapters 

  1. Ayivor, J. S. and Ofori, B. D. (2017). Impacts of hydrological changes of the Volta River on livelihoods: Lessons for re-operation and re-optimization of the Volta dams. In: Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y, Ampomah, Y.B., & Ofosu, B. A., (eds). Dams, development and downstream communities: Implications for re-optimising the operation of the Akosombo and Kpong dams in Ghana. Digibooks Gh. Ltd., Tema, Ghana.  63-93.
  2. Nukpeza, D., Pabi, O., Ofori, B.D., Ayivor, J. S., & Gordon, C. (2017). A review of benefits of environmental and livelihood flows of dams re-operation and re-optimization. In: Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y, Ampomah, Y.B., & Ofosu, B. A., (eds). Dams, development and downstream communities: Implications for re-optimising the operation of the Akosombo and Kpong dams in Ghana. Digibooks Gh. Ltd., Tema, Ghana. 137-155.
  3. Ofori, B. D., & Ayivor, J. S., (2017). Institutional capacity and management of the Volta lake shores and the lower Volta River channel. In: Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y, Ampomah, Y.B., & Ofosu, B. A., (eds). Dams, development and downstream communities: Implications for re-optimising the operation of the Akosombo and Kpong dams in Ghana. Digibooks Gh. Ltd., Tema, Ghana. 321-340.
  4. Ayivor, J. S. Ofori, B. D. & Nyametso J. K. (2017). Effectiveness of protected area financing as a management tool. A case study of three protected areas in Ghana. In: Nukpezah, D. Mensah, A. Ofori, B.D., Rapp B. & Gomez J.M. Dialogue on Sustainability and Environmental Management. Shaker Verlag, Aachen. Pp 255-268.
  5. Ersing, R.L., Ayivor, J. S., Alhassan, O., Caruson, K. (2016). Ecological Social Work in a Developing Nation: Africa. In McKinnon, J., Alston, M. (eds) Ecological Social Work: Towards Sustainability Palgrave Macmillan.125-140 

Published Research Work in Refereed Journals 

  1. Ottie-Boakye, D., Ayivor, S., Appiah, M. et al. Predictors of food insecurity among older persons in selected cash-grant communities in Ghana: application of social-ecological model. BMC Public Health. 25, 2028 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23183-4
  2. Boafo, Y.A;  Ohemeng, F.N.A.; Ayivor, J.; Ayitiah, J.A.; Yirenya-Tawiah, D.; Mensah, A.;  Datsa, C.;  Annang, T.Y., & Adom L. (2024). Unraveling diarrheal disease knowledge, understanding, and management practices among climate change vulnerable coastal communities in Ghana. Front. Public Health 12:1352275. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1352275
  3. Ansah, M.O., Pabi, O., Ayivor, J.S.(2023). The prospect of biodiversity conservation in cocoa agroforestry landscape, Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology. 30(1):44-55
  4. Ayivor, J.S., Lawson, E.T., Ohemeng, F., Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu. (2022). Conservation Perspectives and Perception of Bats as Reservoirs of Zoonotic Diseases in Ghana. Human Dimension of Wildlife. 28(6) 1-15. doi:10.1080/10871209.2022.2120650
  5. Apeanti, T., Ayivor, J., Ayisi, E. K. (2022). Formalizing Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana: The Search for a Workable Pathway.  Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development.  1( 1 ) (2022)
  6. Egbenyah, F, Udofia, E.A., Ayivor, J., Mary-Magdalene Osei, M-M., Tetteh, J., Tetteh-Quarcoo P.B., &, Sampane-Donkor, E. (2021). Disposal habits and microbial load of solid medical waste in sub-district healthcare facilities and households in Yilo-Krobo municipality, Ghana. PLoS ONE 16(12):1-16 :e0261211. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261211
  7. Kusimi, B.A., Donkor, A., K., Ayivor, J. S., Kyeremeh, K., & Kusimi, J. M. (2020): The Lifecycle of Pottery Art Processes and Production in Mpraeso, Ghana, de arte, (2020) 55(3):70-94. DOI: 10.1080/00043389.2020.1805849.
  8. Ayivor, J. S., Nyamesto, J. K. & Ayivor, S. (2020). Protected Area Governance and its Influence on Local Perceptions, Attitudes and Collaboration. Land 2020, 9(310): 1-20 doi:10.3390/land9090310.
  9. Baa-Poku, F., Ayivor J.S., Ofori, B.D. (2020). Changing Agricultural Practices and Indigenous Food Crops in the Upper Afram Basin of Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science 55(1):65-74.  DOI: 10.4314/gjas.v55i1.7
  10. Ayivor, S. Jesse; Gordon, Chris and Ntiamoa-Baidu, Yaa. (2019) Evaluation of management effectiveness of Protected Areas in the Volta Basin of Ghana: Perspectives on Community Participation, Protected Area Financing and Framework for Evaluation. Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy. 22(2): 239-255. DOI: 10.1080/1523908X.2019.1705153 

Teaching Programmes

  • ESCI 603: Population and Urbanization Studies (3 Credits)
  • ESCI 612: Forest Resource Management (3 Credits)
  • ESSC 607: Natural Ecosystems and Resource Management (3 Credits)
  • ESSS 612:  Environmental Sanitation in Emergency Situations (3 Credits) 

Selected Students Supervision

PhD 

  •  ABDULAI, Mohammed Habibu (PhD, 2023/2024). Knowledge of Impact of Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites on Groundwater and Surface Water Quality in the Peri-Urban Communities of Northern Ghana. (Principal Supervisor).
  • TSAMENYI, Harriet. (PhD, 2023/2024). Land Ethics and Environmental Management. A Case Study of Nkonya and Alavanyo. (Principal Supervisor).
  • QUARSHIE, Joseph Tettey. (PhD 2022/2023).  Assessment of the Management Strategies for Abandoned Fishing Gear at Fishing landing sites in Ghana. (Co-Supervisor).
  • AWUDOR, Pearl. (PhD 2022/2023) Carbon Stock and Ecosystem Assessment in Mitigating Climate Change; A Case of Forest in The Volta Basin. (Co-Supervisor).
  • BANIBA, Benjamin. (PhD, 2021/2022). Examining the Ecosystem Function, Cultural and Socio-Economic Values of the Riparian Zone of River Tordzie in Volta Region for Improved Watershed Management in Ghana. Principal Supervisor. 

 MPhil    

  • ATISO, Bright. (MPhil. 2024/2025) Waste Management in Ghana: Using Print Media to Promote Sustainability. (Co-Supervisor).
  • DARFFOUR, Richard Sasu. (MPhil. 2024/2025). Assessing the Ecosystem Services, Health Benefits, and Climate Change Impact of the Achimota Forest Reserve: A Contingent Valuation Approach (Principal Supervisor).
  • DUHO, David Kofi. (MPhil 2024/2025) Climate change impact on mangroves and socio-economic lifestyle of coastalo communities in the Volta Region of Ghana.  Principal Supervisor.
  • CODO, Janos. (MPhil. 2023/2024). Optimizing waste disposal sites using GIS in Greater Accra Region. (Principal Supervisor)
  • KING-NYAMADOR, Godwin. (MPhil, 2023/2024) Source Separation of Household Solid Waste - A Case Study in Dzemeni. Principal Supervisor.