Professor Mohammed Ibrahim Gunu, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University for Development Studies (UDS), has been elected Chairman of the newly reconstituted Education Sector Research Group (ESRG).

The inauguration of the revitalised ESRG took place on Wednesday, July 16, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, as part of the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project Additional Financing (GALOP AF2). The initiative seeks to expand proven education interventions while strengthening Ghana’s research and policy infrastructure.

As chairman, Prof. Gunu is expected to lead a diverse team of researchers and education stakeholders in shaping the country’s Research and Learning Agenda (RLA). The ESRG’s new mandate includes generating evidence-based research, aligning studies with national education policy priorities, and ensuring that findings are translated into actionable policy recommendations.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, emphasized the critical role of data and evidence in driving educational reforms that positively impact learning outcomes for Ghanaian children. He noted that the ESRG will serve as the backbone of GEEDLab’s research coordination efforts, with funding support from GALOP AF2.

The group’s expanded membership now includes representatives from academia, civil society, think tanks, and development partners, offering a more inclusive and robust platform for collaborative inquiry. Members were urged to challenge assumptions, apply rigorous research methods, and champion innovation to address the evolving challenges of Ghana’s education sector.

Prof. Gunu’s appointment is seen as a strong endorsement of UDS’ growing influence in national education research and policy discourse.

Story by:
Abdul Hayi Moomen
UDS Media