About
Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, FGA
Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe is a Professor of Population Studies at the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, University of Ghana. He is the immediate past Provost of the College of Education, University of Ghana and a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also a Visiting Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies, Loughborough University, United Kingdom.
Biography
He studied Geography and Resource Development at the University of Ghana and was selected as one of the top students of the Department to undertake his national service, continuing briefly as a Research Assistant with the Population Impact Project (PIP), an outreach programme of UG. At PIP he engaged in advocacy, sensitisation and dissemination activities on family planning, adolescent reproductive health and harmful traditional practices, and assisted in activities leading to the revision of the 1969 Ghana Population Policy in 1994 and the establishment of the National Population Council Secretariat in the same year.
He was admitted to the University of Oslo, Norway in 1994 for his Master of Philosophy degree in Human Geography, which he completed in 1998. After working with PIP as a Senior Research Officer from 1999 to 2000, he obtained a full scholarship on the GLOWA-Volta Project to study for his PhD at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Bonn, Germany, graduating with a PhD in Geography (Major) and Soil Science (Minor) in February 2004.
Prof. Codjoe was appointed a Lecturer at RIPS, UG in November 2004, and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2008, Associate Professor in 2011, and Professor in 2015. He served as Deputy Director of RIPS in 2011-2012 and Director from 2012 to 2018. As Director he diversified the institute’s funding base, formalised collaboration with the University of North Carolina–Carolina Population Center through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2012, established a Quality Assurance Committee, and operationalised the RIPS Endowment Fund (REF).
He served as Vice President (2012-2015) and President (2016-2019) of the Union for African Population Studies (UAPS). During his presidency, UAPS membership doubled from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 members, and he mobilised approximately USD 10 million in support of the 7th African Population Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa (2015) and the 8th African Population Conference in Entebbe, Uganda (2019).
A hallmark of his career has been leadership in climate change and development research. As Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, he has led and contributed to 25 major nationally and internationally funded research projects, mobilising nearly USD 40 million in cumulative research funding to UG. He co-convened the Climate Change and Population Conference in Africa, held seven times between 2012 and 2019, established the Climate Change Resource Centre at RIPS, and led community interventions in Accra including a 144-metre drainage system in Agbogbloshie and waste management infrastructure serving more than 800 households in James Town.
As Provost of the College of Education, the College’s grant portfolio expanded more than threefold, reaching approximately USD 900,000 in externally funded research. He spearheaded the establishment of the Legon Centre for Education Research and Policy; the number of non-retired faculty members at the professorial rank increased from 3 to 18; and the Kumasi and Takoradi City Campuses were established, welcoming their first cohorts of students in 2023.
He has mentored and supervised 3 Research Fellows, 9 Postdoctoral Researchers, 35 PhD Candidates, 7 Experiential Learners, 15 MPhil Students and over 40 MA Students. He serves on the editorial boards of Regional Environmental Change and PLOS Climate, as Associate Editor for the Climate Mobility Section of Frontiers in Climate, and on the Technical Advisory Group of the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative under the auspices of the African Union. In 2019 he served as a Reviewer for the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the IPCC, Working Group II, Chapter 9 on Africa, and in 2006 he was awarded the Junior Demographer Prize by the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP).
Appointments
- Present
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development
University of Ghana.
- 2015–
Professor of Population Studies
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana.
- Present
Visiting Fellow
Institute of Advanced Studies, Loughborough University, United Kingdom.
- 2022-2026
Provost, College of Education
University of Ghana.
- August 2018 – September 2018
Acting Director
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana.
- 2012 to 2018
Director
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana.
- 2011-2012
Deputy Director
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana.
- 2011
Associate Professor
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana.
- 2008
Senior Lecturer
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana.
- November 2004
Lecturer
Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana.
- 1999 to 2000
Senior Research Officer
Population Impact Project (PIP), University of Ghana.
Research Assistant
Population Impact Project (PIP), an outreach programme of UG.
Education and qualifications
- 2004
PhD Geography (Major) and Soil Science (Minor)
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Bonn, Germany.
- 1998
MPhil. Human Geography
University of Oslo, Norway.
BA (Hons) Geography and Resource Development
University of Ghana, Ghana.
Post-Graduate Certificate Administration and Management
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Ghana.
Post-graduate Certificate Natural Resource Management and Land Use Planning
International Institute of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), Netherlands.
Post-graduate Certificate Regional Climate Modelling for West Africa using PRECIS
Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Accra, Ghana.
- 2002
Post-graduate Certificate Principles and Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
ITC, Netherlands.
Post-graduate Certificate Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation
National Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Accra, Ghana.
Post-graduate Certificate Econometric Analysis
Centre for Development Research (ZEF), Germany.
Post-graduate Certificate Interdisciplinary Concepts and Theories of Development
ZEF, Germany.
Post-graduate Certificate Ecology, Land use and Development
ZEF, Germany.
Post-graduate Certificate Communication Population and Health Research to Policymakers
East West Centre, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, USA.
Post-graduate Certificate Doctoral Supervision
Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
- 1988
Advanced Level Certificate
Swedru Secondary School (SWESCO), Ghana.
- 1986
Ordinary Level Certificate
Suhum Secondary Technical (SUTESCO), Ghana.
- 1980 to 1986
Primary education
Radiantway Preparatory School, Korle-Gonno, Accra, Ghana.
Early childhood education
Christian Nursery School, Teshie, Ghana.
Leading the Union for African Population Studies
Vice President from 2012 to 2015 and President from 2016 to 2019. Under his presidency the Union hosted the 7th and 8th African Population Conferences in Johannesburg and Entebbe.
Provost, College of Education
University of Ghana, 2022–2026
As Provost of the College of Education, the College’s grant portfolio expanded more than threefold, reaching approximately USD 900,000 in externally funded research. He spearheaded the establishment of the Legon Centre for Education Research and Policy; the number of non-retired faculty members at the professorial rank increased from 3 to 18; and the Kumasi and Takoradi City Campuses were established, welcoming their first cohorts of students in 2023.
Resources mobilised
- Secured approximately GHS 330,000 to organise the inaugural College of Education Annual Awards and Dinner Night in 2024.
- Facilitated the acquisition of 10 computers worth GHS 130,000 to support the Pen Ceremony, celebrating faculty members elevated to Associate Professor.
- Raised GHS 150,000 to fund the education of eight College of Education staff members.
- Mobilised GHS 50,000 to enable 14 faculty and staff of the College of Education to attend the Legon Leadership Academy in June 2025.
- Donated 15 computers, valued at approximately GHS 67,000, to the Vice Chancellor’s One Student One Laptop initiative.
- Led the UAPS Council in securing nearly USD 10 million from funders to host the 7th and 8th African Population Conferences in Johannesburg (2015) and Entebbe (2019).
- Overseeing the ongoing construction of the Digital Youth Village and Centre for Digital Youth Development.
- Completed a three-storey facility for the Tema Learning Centre (GHS 9 million).
- Mobilised funding to support six students under the maiden College of Education scholarship programme.
- Purchased three 4x4 Vehicles for Research and Administrative functions
Awards and honours
- 2025
Honoured for distinguished leadership and passionate advocacy for the advancement of distance education in Ghana and internationally
Department of Distance Education, School of Continuing and Distance Education, College of Education, University of Ghana.
- 2024
Recognised for visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of the College of Education
Education Students Association of the University of Ghana.
Commended for exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication to academic excellence
College of Education, University of Ghana.
- 2019
Recognition for outstanding role in the successful organisation of the Eighth African Population Conference, Entebbe, Uganda
Makerere University.
Special citation in appreciation of exceptional leadership as Director of RIPS (2012 to 2018)
Senior members and staff of the Regional Institute for Population Studies.
Honoured for outstanding mentorship and support for postgraduate students
RIPS MA Cohort of 2011/2012.
- 2010/2011
Best Researcher for the 2010/2011 Academic Year
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ghana.
- 2006
Junior Demographer Prize
International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP).
- 2014
University of Ghana Conference Grant (to organise the Third Climate Change and Population Conference, 22–25 July 2014)
University of Ghana.
- 2010
Travel Award (PAA Annual Meeting, Dallas)
Population Association of America (PAA).
- 2007
Travel Award (PAA Annual Meeting, New York)
Population Association of America (PAA).
- 2007
Travel Grant (to present two papers at the Fifth African Population Conference, Arusha, Tanzania)
Union for African Population Studies (UAPS).
- 2006–2009
IUSSP Membership Award
International Union for the Scientific Study of Population.
- 2004
NASA–Michigan State University Award (to present at the US Chapter of IALE workshop, Las Vegas)
NASA–Michigan State University.
- 2003
International Association of Landscape Ecology (IALE) Student Award (poster at the IALE World Congress, Darwin, Australia)
International Association of Landscape Ecology (IALE).
Fellowships and memberships
Leadership and service
- Chair, Committee Investigating Infractions and Violations at the Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, College of Basic and Applied Sciences (August–September 2025)
- Chair, Search Panel for the Appointment of the Director and Deputy Directors of the Safety and Security Services Directorate (October 2024)
- Chair (led), Committee tasked with proposing a governance structure for the Digital Youth Village and Centre for Digital Youth Development (September–October 2024)
- Chair, Committee Investigating Allegations of Misconduct and Misrepresentation within the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (September–October 2024)
- Chair, University of Ghana Sports Infrastructure Committee (February–May 2024)
- Chair, Committee established to investigate the clashes between Mensah Sarbah Hall and Commonwealth Hall (August 2022)
- Chair, Executive Committee, College of Education
- Chair, Appointments and Promotions Board, College of Education
- Chair, Academic Board of the College of Education
- Chair, Distance Education Steering Committee
- Chair, College of Humanities International Conference Planning Committee (2016)
- Chair, Provost Award Committee of the College of Humanities (2015)
- Chair, Management Committee of the Regional Institute for Population Studies (2015–2018)
- Chair, Graduate Committee of RIPS (2019–2022)
- Chair, Faculty of Social Studies Awards Committee (2014)
- Acting Convener, Transdisciplinary Research into Climate Change Adaptation Programme (2014–2019)
- Member, Africa Climate Collaborative Project Steering Committee (Since May 2025)
- Member, Entity Tender Committee (Since August 2024)
- Member, Inter-Collegiate Implementation Committee for the University of Ghana Strategic Plan, 2024–2029 (Since July 2024)
- Member, University of Ghana Risk Management Committee
- Member, University of Ghana Press Management Board
- Member, University Resource Allocation Committee for Academic Purposes
- Member, University Senior Management Committee
- Member, Committee to Review the University’s Security Architecture (2023–2024)
- Member, Security Architecture Committee (2022)
- Member, Vice-Chancellor’s Committee on Independent Power Supply (2016–2017)
- Member, Management Board of the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID) (2014–2017)
- Member, University Internationalisation Committee (2013–2014)
- Member, Academic Curriculum, Quality and Staff Development Committee (2012–2018)
- Member, University Structure Reform Committee for the College of Humanities (2012–2013)
- Member, University Academic Board
- Member, Business and Executive Committee
- Member, University of Ghana Basic Schools Board (2008–2010)
- Member, Management Committee of the Regional Institute for Population Studies (Since 2019)
- Member, RIPS Advisory Board (2011–2014)
- Member, Departmental Teaching Assessment Committee of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (2019–2022)
- Member, Management Board of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (2015–2019)
- Member, Board of the Faculty of Social Studies
- Member, Board of the School of Communication Studies
- Member, College Research Committee (College of Humanities)
- Member, College Academic Board (College of Humanities)
- Member, RIPS Finance Committee (2010–2014)
- Member, Appointments and Promotions Review Committees (Faculty of Social Studies; School of Nursing)
- Member, Faculty of Social Studies Colloquium Planning Committee
- Seminar Coordinator, Regional Institute for Population Studies (2006–2010)
- Member, Committee on the Editing of Theses Abstracts of the School of Research and Graduate Studies (2006–2007)
- Reviewer of research grant applications, University of Ghana Research Fund (UGRF), within the College of Education (Since 2018)
- Chair, National Committee on the Reappointment and Promotion Framework for Colleges of Education under the Public Universities Pay Structure (established by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC) (Appointed September 2024)
- Council Member, Accra College of Education (Since October 2022)
- Member, Technical Advisory Group, Africa Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI), under the auspices of the African Union (Since January 2022)
- Member, Strategic Advisory Board, Climate, Heat and Maternal and Neonatal Health in Africa (CHAMNHA) Project, led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (July 2019 to August 2022)
- Eminent Member, Africa Scientific Advisory Committee on Climate Research for Development (CR4D), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
- Member, Technical Group on Ghana’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) for Climate Adaptation under the Paris Agreement (Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation) (2015)
- Member of Ghana’s delegation, 49th Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, New York (April 2016)
- Represented the Republic of Ghana, African Regional Conference on Population and Development (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), Addis Ababa (October, 2013)
- Member, National Population Policy Review Team of Ghana (October and December 2014)
- Reviewer, Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Working Group II, Chapter 9 on Africa (2019)
- Member, Editorial Board, Regional Environmental Change (Since 2024)
- Associate Editor, Climate Mobility Section, Frontiers in Climate (Since March 2022)
- Member, Editorial Board, PLOS Climate (Since June 2021)
- Member, Editorial Board, Ghana Social Science Journal (2009–2015)
- President, Union for African Population Studies (UAPS) (2016-2019)
- Chair of Council, Union for African Population Studies (UAPS) (January 2016 to November 2019)
- Vice President, Union for African Population Studies (UAPS) (2012-2015)
- Council Member, Union for African Population Studies (UAPS) (January 2012 to December 2015)
- External Examiner (doctoral candidates), Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana
- External Examiner (doctoral research), Department of Demography and Social Statistics, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
- External Examiner (doctoral research), School of the Built Environment, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
- External Examiner, Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
- External Examiner, Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
- External Examiner (Master’s and PhD programmes), Department of Population Studies, University of Botswana (Since 2012)
- Internal Examiner (PhD candidates), Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana (Since 2019)
- Internal Assessor for appointments and promotions (promotion to Senior Lecturer), College of Basic and Applied Sciences and College of Education, University of Ghana
- Chair, Panel of Assessors (appointed by GTEC), Reaccreditation of the BA, MA, MPhil, and PhD Population and Health Programmes at the University of Cape Coast (2022)
- Chair, assessment panel (constituted by the National Accreditation Board of Ghana), Reaccreditation of Population and Health programmes at the University of Cape Coast (2016)
- External Reviewer, Master’s and PhD Programmes in Population Studies, University of Botswana (2021)
- Co-convener, Climate Change and Population Conference in Africa (held seven times between 2012 and 2019) (2012–2019)
- Founder, RIPS Colloquia Series
- Founder, Climate Change Resource Centre at RIPS
Family
Prof. Codjoe was born to Mr. James Emmanuel Kwaku Codjoe (Deceased) and Madam Regina Naa Ayikuorkor Aryee. His siblings are Mrs. Doris Naa Adua Owusu, Laud Paanii Codjoe, Julius Yedu Codjoe, Patience Naa Adua Codjoe and Esther Oyorkor Codjoe. He is married to Mrs. Gertrude Addai-Codjoe for the past 32 years, and they are blessed with five children, Marilyn Adjoa, Carl Nii Sersah, Kelvin Nii Ardey, Brian Nii Baah and Kaitlin Naa Ayikuorkor. He is a Member and Marriage Counsellor of the Living Streams Baptist Church (Atomic) of the Ghana Baptist Convention and his hobbies are football, tennis, and motorcar racing.
Short biography
For programmes, introductions and journal pages; organisers may use it as written.
Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe is a Professor of Population Studies at the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, University of Ghana. He is the immediate past Provost of the College of Education, University of Ghana and a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also a Visiting Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies, Loughborough University, United Kingdom.