About - GSAA | Ghana Sociological & Anthropological Association

Vision & Mission

Empowering Minds,
Shaping Society

Vision Statement "To be the leading platform for advancing sociological, anthropological and social work knowledge and practice in Ghana and beyond."

Mission Statement "To bring together scholars and practitioners of sociology, anthropology and social work to promote critical engagement with social issues, and foster impactful research, teaching, and collaboration."

Aims

Association Priorities

Mobilize & Connect

Bring together sociologists, anthropologists, social workers, and related social scientists in Ghana.

Exchange & Networking

Serve as a forum for critical dialogue, idea exchange, and professional networking among members.

Teaching & Learning

Promote sociology, anthropology, and social work teaching in public and private higher education institutions.

Journal Development

Strengthen the Ghana Journal of Sociology and Anthropology as a mouthpiece for quality peer-reviewed scholarship. Browse Collection on ScienceOpen ↗

History

Re-Launch and Growth

1963

Establishment of GSA

The Ghana Sociological Association (GSA) was started in 1963 as the premier national body for sociological research and teaching in Ghana.

2012

Formation of GSAA

On 15th June 2012, the Ghana Sociological and Anthropological Association (GSAA) was formed, expanding the body beyond sociology to include anthropologists and social workers.

2013

Re-Launch Symposium

On 1 March 2013, the association held its re-launch at Yiri Lodge, University of Ghana, under the theme "Sociology and National Development."

2015

1st Annual Conference

Hosted in November 2015 at the University of Ghana, Legon, focusing on "Social Science Knowledge Production in Africa: Interrogating the Past for Future Directions and Actions."

2017

2nd Annual Conference

Hosted in September 2017 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, under the theme "Discourses and Debates in Contemporary Africa: The Social Scientist and Sustainable Development."

2018

3rd Annual Conference

Hosted in September 2018 at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast, under the theme "The Social Sciences and the Sustainable Development Goals."

2019

4th Annual Conference

Hosted in September 2019 at the University of Ghana, Legon, on the theme "Re-positioning Sociology and Anthropology for National Development."

2020

Annual National Seminar

Held virtually in September 2020, focusing on "Witchcraft beliefs, Accusation and Associated violence in Ghana: Sociological and Anthropological Perspectives."

2021

5th Annual Conference

Held as a virtual conference in September 2021, exploring the theme "Ghanaian Social Life and the COVID-19 Pandemic."

2022

6th Annual Conference

Hosted in September 2022 at the University of Ghana, Legon, under the theme "Sociology and Anthropology in the Era of New Global Emergencies."

2023

7th Annual Conference

Hosted in September 2023 at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast, on the theme "Digital Technologies in Sociological and Anthropological Spaces."

2025

9th Annual Conference

Hosted by the Sociology Department, University of Ghana, Legon, in August 2025, continuing broad disciplinary engagement across sociological and anthropological spaces.

Current

Conference & Policy Engagement

Conference papers and GSAA deliberations continue to address social issues of national importance and strengthen evidence-based social science engagement in Ghana.

Leadership

Association Structure

The GSAA is led by a National Convenor and governed through institutional representation from member universities. The Management Committee includes departmental heads and representatives from anchor institutions who work together to run GSAA affairs.

National Convenor

Prof. William Boateng

The current National Convenor, Professor William Boateng, leads the association and works with the Management Committee to coordinate GSAA affairs, conferences, and institutional engagement across member universities.

Contact Secretariat

Immediate Past Convenor

Prof. Steve Tonah

Professor of Sociology at UG, Fellow of GAAS & Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, specializing in migration, chieftaincy, and pastoralism.

Institutional Representation

Member Universities

University of Ghana

Head of Department · Associate Professor

Asso. Prof. Peace Mamle Tetteh

GSAA Representative · Senior Lecturer

Dr. Rosemond Akpene Hiadzi

UCC

University of Cape Coast

Head of Department · Associate Professor

Prof. Georgina Yaa Oduro

GSAA Representative

Dr. Razak Jaha Imoro

KNUST

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Head of Department

Prof. Esmeranda Manful

GSAA Representative

Prof. Peter Dwumah

Governance

Constitution &
Governance

The affairs of GSAA are currently guided by an Interim Constitution, which remains in force until a permanent constitution is ratified at an annual meeting of the Association.

This framework guides governance, administration, and membership accountability while the association continues institutional consolidation and growth.

GSAA Constitution (2022 Revision)

PDF · 2.4 MB · Last updated January 2022

Code of Professional Ethics

PDF · 1.1 MB · Adopted 2018

Strategic Plan 2024 - 2028

PDF · 3.8 MB · Published June 2024