Felix Owusu
Background: Having worked in the public sector for over a decade as an advanced emergency medical technician, where I rose to become a Deputy Regional Manager in the Eastern Region, I realized that most public sector policies fail because of a lack of evidence-based research. To contribute to the body of knowledge in the health sector as a civil servant, and to help the Government of Ghana achieve universal health coverage by 2030, I enrolled in the Master of Research and Public Policy at CSPS to acquire advanced knowledge in policy making and analysis.
Life @ CSPS: Meeting new colleagues from diverse fields helped to enrich discussions during our lectures and group discussions. The internship component of the program enabled me to practically apply my classroom knowledge. The most memorable moment at CSPS was when the Director of the centre, Prof. Nana Akua Anyidoho, stepped in to ensure I received my determination letter and thesis report when it was delayed. This enabled me to complete the final stage of my dissertation work. I will forever be grateful to her for her swift intervention.
How the program has led me to achieve my goals: After enrolling into the MRPP programme at CSPS, life has been incredibly adventurous, especially in the area of academics. I have gained a broad knowledge of public policy and data analysis skills that have enabled me to contribute to the policy-making process in my field of work and beyond. Thus in my professional life, I can evaluate problems objectively and offer solutions by utilizing the theoretical and practical skills I acquired during my studies at CSPS.
Networks: The networks built at CSPS and other departments in the University of Ghana have helped in my personal and career development. This has provided an avenue to learn and exchange ideas from senior lecturers both at CSPS and the Department of Earth Science, especially during my dissertation period. My classmates in a variety of disciplines have likewise been amazing. My ability to interact with others has improved as a result of learning about other disciplines and how to adjust to differing viewpoints.
To prospective students: For greater career opportunities in government, universities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and international and regional organizations, the Master of Research and Public Policy at CSPS is the place to be. I, therefore, recommend CSPS to everyone who wants to become part of an outstanding student body that is aware of the research and policy challenges that face Ghana and beyond.