The Environment and Natural Resource Research Initiative (ENRRI – EfD Ghana) is one of the 15 centers under the Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative. ENRRI is hosted by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana (UG), and the School of Research and Graduate Studies (SRGS) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), two of Ghana’s most respected institutes of research and training.
ENRRI brings together accomplished researchers with varied expertise in environmental economics from Ghana and elsewhere to conduct evidence-based research, and advise government and development partners on policy options for managing the environment and scarce natural resources.
Central to our work at ENRRI is a deep understanding of the critical role of natural resources in sustaining the lives and livelihoods of Ghana’s people, especially in rural Ghana, and in meeting national poverty reduction and development goals. This both motivates and fills us with a sense of duty as we strive to achieve our objectives.
Recognizing the importance of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in aligning global development efforts, we strive to align our work with these goals. We hope to demonstrate a strong commitment to support the achievement of SDGs that address the environmental dimensions of development, notably SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate change), SDG 14 (life underwater), and SDG 15 (life on land). Our work will also address cross-cutting SDGs, including SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 5 (gender equality).
ENRRI aspires to become a leading research initiative in Ghana, recognized for conducting world-class research on environment and natural resource management issues, building research capacity at the graduate level (Masters and PhD), and serving as the go-to think-tank for policy makers. The Initiative has 19 researchers from selected universities and academic institutions in Ghana, and three international research associates. It operates with funding support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
What We Do
ENRRI operates in three core areas:
Research
▪ We conduct policy-relevant research, grounded in local realities and on a wide range of topics, with emphasis on coastal and mineral resource management, extractive industries, energy resources management, climate change, and green growth.
Capacity Development
▪ Beyond contributing actively to teaching activities in the host institutions, we organize short-term training programs to build capacity among junior researchers, graduate students, and decision makers in Ghana, based on current and emerging environment and natural resource management challenges.
Policy Advice and Research Communication
▪ ENRRI supports government with evidence-based policy advice on natural resources management issues. We also provide regular updates on changes in the state of natural resources to key decision makers, including national and local government, government agencies and other natural resource custodians, through policy briefs and other communication media.
▪ ENRRI publishes evidence-based materials such as discussion papers, policy briefs, journal articles, feature articles, and media releases to share research findings with its stakeholders in government, academia, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and other policy and advocacy groups. Further, we organize public events such as conferences, seminars, workshops, book launches, and lectures. These provide a platform for researchers, decision makers, students, and other stakeholders to meet and set the research agenda, discuss and validate research findings, and network.
What Sets ENRRI Apart
ENRRI has a number of comparative advantages that set it apart from other players addressing natural resources management issues in Ghana.
First of all, is ENRRI’s sole thematic focus on natural resources, this sector is close to the hearts and minds of the government and people of Ghana, on account of its central role in driving the nation’s social and economic transformation efforts.
Second is our commitment to conduct demand-driven and policy relevant research, based on first-hand information from stakeholders. Our work is defined by a desire to exchange ideas, to construct solutions with partners who have practical, tried-and-tested experience, and to hear from networks of people and organizations that are focused on the themes we cover. Carrying out our mandate involves constant learning from and with others, information sharing, and identification of the right people to multiply the impact of our work.
Third is ENRRI’s diverse network of qualified professionals.
Finally, ENRRI’s affiliation with respected bodies like the University of Ghana (Ghana’s premier university) and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), along with its membership of the EfD network affords it access to productive knowledge resources and collaborative networks vital to achieve sustainable and far-reaching impact.