DSEP
About DSEP

About the Department

In an era defined by information, the integration of robust economic theory with the power of data science is no longer simply an advantage — it is a necessity.

Welcome from the Head of Department

Welcome to the Department of Data Science and Economic Policy at the University of Cape Coast.

In an era defined by information, the integration of robust economic theory with the power of data science is no longer simply an advantage — it is a necessity. At DSEP, we are at the forefront of this convergence, dedicated to training a new generation of analytical thinkers and problem-solvers who can harness data to design evidence-based policies that address national and global development challenges.

Since our establishment in 2018 as part of the School of Economics, we have grown into one of the most dynamic academic units at the University of Cape Coast. Our graduate programmes in Data Science and Economic Policy and in Economic Policy Modelling have produced graduates who are making a measurable difference in government agencies, development finance institutions, research organisations, and the private sector. We are now building on this foundation with new undergraduate programmes and a doctoral stream that will further expand our contribution to Ghana's knowledge economy.

What distinguishes DSEP is the seriousness with which we approach the relationship between data, analysis, and policy. Our faculty are not only accomplished academics with strong international publication records — they are also active advisers, consultants, and collaborators with institutions such as the Ghana Statistical Service, the National Development Planning Commission, the Bank of Ghana, the African Development Bank, and the African Economic Research Consortium. This sustained engagement with real institutions and real policy processes is woven directly into how we teach and how we conduct research.

Our two specialist units — the Centre for Data Archiving, Management, Analysis and Advocacy and the Economic Policy Modelling Unit — give DSEP a distinctive research and outreach capability that sets us apart within the West African academic landscape.

Looking ahead, we are advancing an ambitious agenda that includes the launch of the UCC Data Science Outreach and Mentorship Club, an annual Data Literacy Week, expanded short courses in data analytics and programming, and deeper international collaborations through faculty and student exchange programmes. Our Data for Development Lab is being positioned as a hub for applied research, policy engagement, and industry partnership.

Whether you are a prospective student exploring your academic options, a researcher seeking a collaborative partner, or an institution looking for data-driven analytical support, you will find an intellectually serious, practically engaged, and internationally connected community within our department.

We invite you to explore our programmes, meet our faculty, engage with our research, and join us in shaping a future that is informed, evidence-based, and data-driven.

Prof. William Godfred Cantah Associate Professor of Economics; Head of Department

Our Approach

The Department brings together three disciplines that are too often kept apart: modern data science and machine learning, advanced econometrics and policy modelling, and practical, hands-on engagement with real institutions and real datasets. This integration is not merely rhetorical — it is built into how the Department designs its curricula, structures its research, and organises its partnerships with government, industry, and development partners.

At DSEP, we do not train economists who happen to know a little about data, nor do we train data scientists who happen to know a little about economics. We train professionals who can work confidently at the intersection of both fields — people who understand economic institutions and incentives as well as they understand algorithms and datasets, and who can communicate their findings to policymakers and technical audiences alike.

Our Core Values

Ten commitments that govern how the Department teaches, researches and advises.

  1. Evidence-Driven Excellence

    We uphold the highest standards in the generation, analysis, and application of data to inform decisions, ensuring that all insights and policy recommendations are grounded in rigorous evidence and scientific integrity. We do not cut corners in methodology, and we do not allow advocacy to override analysis.

  2. Integrity and Ethical Data Use

    We are committed to honesty, transparency, and accountability in all data-related processes. This means safeguarding privacy, ensuring responsible data governance, and promoting the ethical use of artificial intelligence. As data science assumes a greater role in public life, the question of how data is used — and who benefits — becomes as important as the question of what the data shows.

  3. Innovation for Impact

    We foster a culture of creativity and continuous improvement, leveraging cutting-edge tools in data science, econometrics, and artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems. Innovation at DSEP is not innovation for its own sake — it is innovation directed at development challenges that matter.

  4. Policy Relevance and Societal Impact

    We prioritise research and teaching that directly addresses national and global development challenges. The Department's measure of success is not only the quality of its publications but the tangible difference its work makes in policy decisions, institutional capacity, and the lives of citizens.

  5. Collaboration and Partnership

    We believe in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, working with government, industry, academia, and development partners to co-create solutions. No single institution has all the answers, and the Department's track record of sustained, productive partnerships reflects this conviction.

  6. Excellence in Teaching and Capacity Building

    We are dedicated to training future-ready professionals, equipping students and stakeholders with the practical, analytical, and decision-making skills needed in a data-driven world. We take the responsibility of teaching seriously, and we invest in pedagogical approaches that connect theory with practice.

  7. Inclusivity and Equity

    We promote equal access to knowledge, opportunities, and data, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives inform our research, our policy work, and our innovation agenda. The Department's work with women in academia, its senior high school outreach programmes, and its commitment to open data are all expressions of this value.

  8. Transparency and Open Science

    We champion open data, reproducibility, and knowledge sharing. Through C-DAMAA — Ghana's first dedicated data-sharing and archiving centre — we work actively to make high-quality research data accessible to other scholars, policymakers, and the public, strengthening the foundation of data-driven decision-making across the country.

  9. Professionalism and Accountability

    We uphold a culture of discipline, responsibility, and excellence in service delivery, ensuring that our work meets both academic and societal expectations. Whether we are teaching a graduate seminar, advising a government agency, or facilitating a capacity-building workshop, the same standard of professionalism applies.

  10. Lifelong Learning and Adaptability

    We embrace continuous learning, staying responsive to emerging technologies, evolving data ecosystems, and the dynamic needs of society. The field of data science changes rapidly, and the Department is committed to remaining at the frontier.