Assistant Professor | School of Agriculture | UW–Platteville | start date August 2025
What is your hometown? I am from Danfa, a border town between the Eastern and Greater Accra regions of Ghana.
What is your educational/professional background, including your previous position?
Before high school, I had a math phobia and would get sick to my stomach whenever math came up. Then I met a group of students who changed my perspective. I became interested in math and found a way to apply it through economics.
After college entrance exams in Ghana, students wait several months for university placement. During that time, I worked as a math tutor for fourth- through sixth-grade students. I enjoyed teaching and watching students grasp new concepts, which sparked a lasting interest in education. At the University of Ghana, I initially studied economics, geography and archaeology before focusing on economics and graduating with a minor in geography.
I later earned a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Mississippi State University, and later completed a PhD in food and resource economics at the University of Florida. There, I supported courses ranging from microeconomics and macroeconomics to environmental economics and international trade. My research experience also exposed me to stakeholder engagement and outreach, which became a foundation for conducting impactful research.
How did you get into your field of research?
My experience as both a student and teaching assistant at the University of Ghana exposed me to economic models and raised questions about how they apply to agriculture. That interest led me to pursue graduate studies in agricultural economics. Along the way, I learned about consumer research methods used to understand decision-making and improve outcomes. While these methods have value for farmers and processors, they are not widely used in those settings. I became interested in helping bridge that gap by better understanding the decisions and economic outcomes of agricultural stakeholders.
What are the main goals of your research program?
My research program is grounded in stakeholder impact. I believe research should include an outreach component from the beginning so it can generate practical, testable knowledge. A second goal is to develop teaching materials that help students connect classroom concepts with real-world experiences. Finally, I want research findings to return to stakeholders through outreach programs and educational materials that improve understanding, encourage dialogue and ultimately support livelihoods.
What attracted you to UW–Platteville and the Dairy Innovation Hub?
My first experiences in the United States were in a small college town, and I grew to appreciate the close interaction that environment creates between faculty and students. UW-Platteville provides opportunities to work closely with students, foster interactive learning and support both academic and professional development.
The Dairy Innovation Hub also appealed to me because of its mission to strengthen Wisconsin dairy through collaboration, innovation and stakeholder engagement. Its statewide partnership across multiple campuses and priority areas aligns closely with my research goals and provides an opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes across the dairy value chain.
Do you feel your work relates in any way to the Wisconsin Idea?
I feel my work comes from the Wisconsin Idea. My work is designed to learn about society, develop practical applications and serve society through teaching and stakeholder engagement. These goals fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
What are your hobbies and other interests?
I like listening to sports and political podcasts, and I enjoy watching and playing soccer. I also like to drive on quiet roads; it is soothing to appreciate nature from an automobile. Hence, I like cars, especially fast cars.
What’s one thing you hope students who take a class with you will come away with?
Students who take my class should come away knowing that ignoring knowledge costs more than not knowing at all.