Content and Goals

Ghana and other African countries have seen major economic and political achievements in recent years. But despite economic growth and political stability fundamental development problems continue to exist. Environmental and climate change, rural transformation, rural-urban migration, land grabbing and the transformation of land markets, conflicts over natural resources, or growing economic disparities are some of the issues that need additional research and expertise that can translate into policies and new development approaches.

The GGCDS addresses these problems with an interdisciplinary PhD program. The program is directed to outstanding researchers, policymakers and practitioners that want to pursue a PhD and are working on pressing development issues. PhD candidates undergo one year of methodological, theoretical, and professional training before they pursue their individual research projects. Regular research seminars, summer schools and conference participation ensure rich
interactions between students and academics within and beyond the partner institutes.

Programme and How to Apply

The Ghanaian-German Centre of Excellence for Development Studies is a collaborative venture between the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana and the Centre for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany.  The Centre is being funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) under the Centres of Excellence for Teaching and Research to Train Future Leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa Initiative.

Entry requirements include:

1. First degree (at least Second Class Lower Division) and
2. A relevant Master’s (MA/MSc/MPhil) degree in the Social Sciences/Humanities.

Limited Scholarships from DAAD are available to young and dynamic graduates with a relevant Master’s Degree (MA/MSc/MPhil) awarded within the last 6 years whose academic and scholastic records show a potential for successful completion of a doctoral degree programme. In the future, open calls and a detailed description of how to apply will be uploaded here.