Concerns for the environment have gained ascendancy in the light of its speed of deterioration and the concomitant adverse effect on the social, health, and economic dimensions of society. All over the world, environmental problems have manifested in the pollution and degradation of natural habitats, and in the disposal of waste generated by human activities. Although science and management techniques to mitigate these environmental problems and the concomitant policy frameworks and legal regimes have evolved to the point where there is increased capacity to deal with the problems, such technical knowledge, policy frameworks and legal regimes are not equally accessible. There is a dearth of such technical, policy ands legal capacity in developing countries leading to a situation of lax environmental standards and destructive social practices. Hitherto, obtaining such capacity could only be gained in developed countries, a situation that glossed over critical local contextual issues. Given the critical role of environmental managers and policy makers in the sustainable management of nature and in the mitigation of human activities that adversely impact the environment, there is the need to build such capacity locally. The Masters programme in Environmental Science, Policy and Management is a two-year post-graduate course designed as a response to these concerns.

Financial management encompasses all the activities within an organisation that are concerned with the use of resources and that have a financial impact. The discipline is essential for effective corporate governance and fundamental to achieving the organisation's objectives and improving its services. Recent development orientation and administrative reforms are designed to shift the system of governance from a centralized planning political system, to one that would involve the participation of all stakeholders at the area where development takes place. Sub national governments are therefore viewed as the most important facilitator of economic and social development at the grassroots. Their responsibilities hinges on sound financial resource capacity.

Financial management is not just the job of the finance executive and subordinates at the sub national level. Indeed, all functionaries and managers within a local authority are responsible for their financial circumstances, individually and collectively. Senior managers at the sub national level have to be conversant with the requirements for the efficient management of the entity’s resources.

This is a specialised programme that focuses on developing professionals' skills and knowledge in managing public sector organisations and addressing the unique challenges they face. The program combines elements of management, policy analysis, and public administration to equip students with the tools necessary to excel in leadership roles within government agencies, non-profit organisations, and international institutions.

The purpose of the course is to contribute to the development and improvement of local government administration particularly in Ghana by focusing on the local government environment, players, legislation, functions and roles and providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and information among students.

Entry Requirements 

1. First degree, preferably second class lower or better in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
2. Third Class degree with a minimum of three (3) years working experience may also be considered subject to the following:
   1. Provide an introductory letter from an employer or show and other proof of relevant employment
   2. Must attend and pass an interview
3. Candidates applying for the MPhil programmes will be admitted, first to the  related MSc. Programme in the first year and may be upgraded to the MPhil in the second year after satisfactory performance

This programme is designed to prepare students to identify, develop and implement effective solutions to environmental challenges, with particular emphasis on developing country contexts.

It also aims to generate an understanding of the scientific principles underlying environmental changes and stimulate the requisite social, economic, legal and policy capacity for practising and potential decision-makers in central and local government, as well as corporate businesses, and other non-state organisations.

Entry Requirements 

1. First degree, preferably second class lower or better in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
2. Third Class degree with a minimum of three (3) years working experience may also be considered subject to the following:
   1. Provide an introductory letter from an employer or show and other proof of relevant employment
   2. Must attend and pass an interview
3. Candidates applying for the MPhil programmes will be admitted, first to the  related MSc. Programme in the first year and may be upgraded to the MPhil in the second year after satisfactory performance

Ghana’s decentralization process has seen the creation of District Assemblies as organizations that must be managed in a professional manner.  District Assemblies are concerned with how best to manage their business successfully within the administrative and political system in which they operate. But striving for success through the optimal transformation of input to output in a quality manner requires a healthy structure, process, material and environmental conditions. It is important that the necessary human resource is available to deploy the limited resources at the local level to meet the prioritized development needs of people in the locality.

The Master’s programme in Local Government Administration and Organization is a two-year programme tailored to meet capacity gaps and career development goals of local government practitioners and persons interested in pursuing a career in local governance. The programme is designed in response to the challenges and opportunities pertaining to local government with emphasis on the transfer of appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes for a new working ethos in local administration.

5.0       Justification for the Programme

With the establishment of the local government service, the challenges facing administrators in the discharge of their statutory obligations will be enormous and for them to be effective it is important that they are abreast with trends in modern administrative and management practices. They must possess a detailed understanding of the local government system and be able to take up leadership role by employing appropriate management tools that will not only mobilise internal resources but provide an interface for community members and interest groups to keep engaging administrators in finding solutions and creating opportunities towards local development. This course will equip students to become effective leaders by exposing them to critical managerial functions that not only focus on the day-to-day administration in assemblies but to enable them to develop strategic approaches for quality service delivery.

6.0       Aims and Objectives of the Programme

The purpose of the course is to contribute to the development and improvement of local government administration particularly in Ghana by focusing on the local government environment, players, legislation, functions and roles and providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and information among students. It will enable local government practitioners to appreciate their roles as developmental agents and equip them with tools and techniques to harness various resources at their disposal to bring about meaningful grassroots development. The objectives of the programme are:

• To equip students with advanced academic knowledge and skills for job performance in the local government sector
• To expose students to tools, techniques and trends in modern-day local government administration for effective management and leadership in assemblies
• To examine and related systems, functions and roles of local governments from a comparative study of other countries
• To foster independent and critical thought by educating students in advanced concepts and techniques in local government practice
• To develop students' scholarly and professional research skills and to
• Provide a foundation for further study in professional and academic levels.

The graduate of the Master’s programme will:

• Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills and perform leadership roles to advance local government administration
• Demonstrate the ability to use evidence-based steps to design proposals and address organisational challenges
• Initiate collaborative relationships with other local government practitioners and stakeholders for mutual and professional support
• Formulate and implement plans for individual and overall organisational development

7.0       Admission Requirements and Target Group

The module is designed as a Master’s programme therefore the minimum entry requirements shall be a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences or any other related subject and a two-year post-graduation work experience. The target group includes all persons who are interested in local governance.

8.0       Career Opportunities

Although this course primarily targets practitioners in the local government sector it offers varied job opportunities for persons interested in local governance. The course by its design is rigorous and tailored to strengthen the capacity and experience of students and increase their competence level so that they can adequately fit into and manage organizations operating at the local level including public institutions, private sector and non-governmental organizations. Relying on the strength of the quality of its research, the course provides graduates the opportunity to pursue careers in research institutions and chart further academic career paths.

9.0 Mode of Assessment

The teaching methodology shall include lectures; problem-solving exercises, case study analyses, student participation in seminars, discussions as well as independent studies. Case studies culled from current academic and business publications have been carefully selected to stimulate learning. The entire programme and individual courses will also be assessed through a combination of:

1. Graded Examinations
2. Student Project Report and Case Studies
3. Individual Study and Seminars
4. Internships and Practical Attachments
5. Masters Thesis

 10.0 Graduation Requirements

43. Candidates shall pass all courses and obtain minimum total credits of 43.
44. Candidates shall report a minimum of 4 weeks of internship duly assessed.
45. Candidates shall attend and pass an oral examination on their thesis.
46. To pass a course, a student must obtain a minimum of 50% of the marks available and an average of 55% for all courses.

11.0     Programme Structure

The programme is designed for completion in four semesters, which shall spread over a period of two years. Each session shall last for an average of 3-4 months with a recess of about 2 months. There are a total of 14 courses packaged into 3 core courses and 3 elective courses per semester. Except for the thesis which is the individual research work, each course will consist of on-campus lectures. There will also be study tours and seminars.

MPhil/MSc. Local Economic Development

This is a specialised programme that focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote sustainable economic growth and development at the local level.

It is designed for individuals who are interested in working in economic development agencies, local government departments, non-profit organisations, or consulting firms that specialise in local economic development.

Entry Requirements 

1. First degree, preferably second class lower or better in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
2. Third Class degree with a minimum of three (3) years working experience may also be considered subject to the following:
   1. Provide an introductory letter from an employer or show and other proof of relevant employment
   2. Must attend and pass an interview
3. Candidates applying for the MPhil programmes will be admitted, first to the  related MSc. Programme in the first year and may be upgraded to the MPhil in the second year after satisfactory performance

This is a specialised programme that focuses on the governance, planning, and management of urban areas. It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex challenges of urban development, urban policy-making, and urban management.

Students learn about urban governance frameworks, urban policy analysis, urban planning and design, urban economics, urban sustainability, and the role of various stakeholders in urban development processes.

Entry Requirements 

1. First degree, preferably second class lower or better in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
2. Third Class degree with a minimum of three (3) years working experience may also be considered subject to the following:
   1. Provide an introductory letter from an employer or show and other proof of relevant employment
   2. Must attend and pass an interview

This programme is designed to equip and build the capacity and competencies of students to apply knowledge of the concepts and principles of water and sanitation resource development and management, to protect human health and the environment.

It includes a combination of theoretical coursework, practical training, and research components. Students will learn about various aspects of water governance, policymaking, institutional frameworks, and regulatory systems related to water and sanitation.

Entry Requirements 

1. First degree, preferably second class lower or better in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
2. Third Class degree with a minimum of three (3) years working experience may also be considered subject to the following:
   1. Provide an introductory letter from an employer or show and other proof of relevant employment
   2. Must attend and pass an interview

This is a specialised programme that focuses on the strategic management and administration of procurement processes and contracts within organisations.

It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively handle procurement activities, negotiate contracts, and ensure efficient supply chain management.

Students will learn about procurement strategies, sourcing, supplier selection, contract administration, risk management, logistics, and contract law and regulations.

Entry Requirements 

1. First degree, preferably second class lower or better in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
2. Third Class degree with a minimum of three (3) years working experience may also be considered subject to the following:
   1. Provide an introductory letter from an employer or show and other proof of relevant employment
   2. Must attend and pass an interview

This is a specialised programme that focuses on the management and implementation of development projects and programs.

It is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the theories, strategies, and practical skills needed to effectively manage development initiatives and contribute to sustainable development.

Students will learn about development theories, project management, monitoring and evaluation, policy analysis, governance, sustainable development, and social and economic development.

Entry Requirements 

1. First degree, preferably second class lower or better in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
2. Third Class degree with a minimum of three (3) years working experience may also be considered subject to the following:
   1. Provide an introductory letter from an employer or show and other proof of relevant employment
   2. Must attend and pass an interview

The Master’s programme in Local Economic Development (LED) is a two year programme comprising: 12 months for course work and six months for research. The programme was established out of a recognized need for a graduate program in which both aspiring and practising economic development professionals could pursue advanced education focused on their field of activity. Ghana’s development agenda is be led by District Assemblies at the local level. Therefore, the programme focuses on local government practitioners in local/regional economic development. Its balance between the theory and the practice of local economic development, it also affords beginners the opportunity to specialise in its broad ranges. The applied dimension of the programme is emphasized in the core seminars by interacting with economic development professionals on a weekly basis and internship.

The LED programme includes a broad range of local development issues including:

• Entrepreneurship
• Globalization
• Strategic economic planning
• Environmental impact assessment and sustainability