Dr. Bernard Wiafe Akaadom is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics & ICT Education at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, with a PhD in Education and 13 years of comprehensive teaching experience. His research expertise focuses on Educational Technology, Teachers' Knowledge for teaching with Technology, and technology integration in education, with notable publications including his 2023 work on "Basic School Teachers' ICT Knowledge and Skills in Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning." Throughout his career, he has taught diverse education-related courses spanning curriculum development, assessment methodologies, academic writing, and learning theories at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr. Akaadom has demonstrated extensive leadership through various roles including Postgraduate Coordinator and Examination and Registration Officer in his department, serving as facilitator for numerous professional development workshops on TPACK, digital devices in teaching, classroom assessment, and technology integration across multiple institutions including UCC, Bunso Cocoa College, and various Colleges of Education in Ghana. His professional service includes supervising teaching practice programs, coordinating courses in ICT integration and curriculum studies, serving as Chief Examiner and Chief Invigilator for various examinations, leading the development of teacher professional ICT learning manuals for Colleges of Education in Ghana, and contributing to community infrastructure development, all reflecting his commitment to advancing educational excellence through technology integration, faculty development, and institutional capacity building at local and national levels.
Dr. Bernard Wiafe Akaadom
Senior Lecturer - ( Senior Member ) Department of Mathematics & ICT EducationMy teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that effective education transforms students from passive recipients of information into active constructors of knowledge. Drawing from over ten years of experience in higher education and my doctoral training in Education, I have developed a pedagogical approach that centers on three interconnected pillars: interactive learning, critical thinking development, and the practical application of theoretical concepts. These elements work harmoniously to create meaningful learning experiences that prepare students not only for academic success but for lifelong professional growth and societal contribution.
I firmly believe that learning is fundamentally a social and collaborative process. In my classroom, I foster interactive learning environments where students are active participants rather than passive observers. This approach recognizes that knowledge is co-constructed through dialogue, debate, and shared inquiry.
My interactive teaching strategies include structured group discussions, peer-to-peer teaching sessions, collaborative problem-solving activities, and technology-enhanced learning experiences. For instance, when teaching curriculum development, I engage students in designing actual curriculum units for real educational contexts, allowing them to work in teams, share diverse perspectives, and learn from each other's experiences. This collaborative approach not only deepens understanding but also develops essential communication and teamwork skills that are crucial for professional success.
Interactive learning in my philosophy also extends beyond the physical classroom. I utilize digital platforms to facilitate ongoing discussions, encourage peer feedback on assignments, and create virtual spaces where students can continue their intellectual exchanges. This approach acknowledges the diverse learning preferences of today's students while building a community of learners that extends beyond traditional temporal and spatial boundaries.
Critical thinking forms the intellectual backbone of my teaching philosophy. I believe that the primary purpose of education is not merely to transmit information but to develop students' capacity to analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and create knowledge independently. In our rapidly changing world, the ability to think critically is more valuable than any specific content knowledge that may become obsolete.
In my courses on assessment methodologies, for example, I challenge students to examine underlying assumptions about measurement and evaluation. Rather than simply presenting different assessment tools, I encourage students to question why certain approaches are privileged, how cultural contexts influence assessment practices, and what ethical considerations emerge in educational measurement. Through Socratic questioning, case study analysis, and structured debates, students develop the intellectual tools necessary to navigate complex educational challenges.
-
Presenter
Promoting Innovative Educational Practices for Sustainable Development, School of Educational Development and Outreach (SEDO) University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
-
Presenter
South Africa International Conference on Education Pretoria, South Africa.
-
Facilitator
Contemporary Issues in Fisheries Management. Fisheries Leadership Short course for Practitioners funded by USAID/Fisheries Recovery Activity Ghana.
-
Presenter
International and Regional Fisheries Institutional Frameworks and Bodies. Workshop on Destabilising Impacts of Distant Water Fishing Vessels (DWFV) in the Gulf of Guinea Yaounde, Cameroon.
-
Guest Speaker
“Promoting Research Excellence for Impact on Marine Conservation in Africa”, Institute for Oceans and Fisheries Online Seminar Series University of British Columbia, Canada.
-
Co-Facilitator
“Grants Proposal Writing Workshop” University for Development Studies.
-
Presenter
“Performance of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience”, Country Round Table Workshop Association of African Universities (AAU), Online.
-
Facilitator
“Regional Political Parties Dialogue on Fisheries: Protecting Our Fish, Securing Our Future, Live Engagement on JoyNews TV Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast.
-
Presenter
Professorial Inaugural Lecture on the topic “Our Oceans: Securing Our Common Future through Transformative Research” Medical School Auditorium, University of Cape Coast.
-
Presenter
Africa’s Plastic Revolution: Advancing Global Solutions for Healthy Oceans, T.D. Walter Bean Professorship Public Lecture University of Waterloo, Canada.
-
Presenter
Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy. National Consultative Workshop for the Formulation of a National Blue Economy Strategy for Angola Luanda, Angola.
-
Panelist
Regional Steering Committee Workshop for the World Bank West African Coastal Resilience Investment Projects (WACA ReSiP and ReiP2) Banjul, Gambia.
-
Facilitator
Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change. Short-term Training Course funded by USAID Ghana.
-
Co-Discussant
“Expanding the Impact of Blue Economy in Africa” (with Professor Rashid Sumaila) World Bank Headquarters, Washington.
-
Facilitator
Workshop on “Winning Research and Development Grants in a Competitive World” Bolgatanga Technical University, Ghana.
-
Facilitator
Workshop on “Proposal and Grants writing” University of Ghana, Ghana.
-
Speaker
Study Tour on Sustainable Fisheries Management & Leadership University of Rhode Island, United States.
-
Presenter
Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Ghana Case Study. Bootcamp on moving fisheries from Vulnerability to Viability Puri, Delhi, India.
-
Guest Speaker
Workshop Presentation on “Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy in Africa Hohai University, China.
-
Participant
6th ACE Impact Regional Workshop of the World Bank and the Association of African Universities Accra (Online).
-
Panelist
Seaweed (Sargassum) Invasion on the Ghanaian Coasts, Implications for the National Economy and Management Live TV Broadcast, GTV.
-
Guest Speaker
“West African Fisheries”, Workshop by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) University of Makerere, Kampala, Uganda.
-
Postgraduate Coordinator
Department of Mathematics and ICT Education
-
Examination and Registration Officer
Department of Mathematics and ICT Education
-
Team member, Contract for services to deliver a short course on Marine Litter under the OCPP
Cefas/UKAID
-
Panel Chair, Reviewed Environmental Impact Statement of PECAN Energies for Offshore Exploration of Oil & Gas
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana, Secondi/Takoradi
-
Team member, Contract for development of a short course on Marine Litter for the West Africa Region
Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID
-
Team member, Contract services to conduct data collection surveys on abandoned lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in Ghana
Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID
-
Lead Consultant, Contract for the Development of Fishery Courses Syllabi for Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (DoFAS), University of Liberia
IDA-V3100
-
Panel Chair, Evaluation of Applications for recruitment of Environmental, Social Safeguards Officers for Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI)
World Bank funded West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme
-
Lead Consultant, Consultancy to review and align national fisheries and aquaculture polices and laws with the PFRS, regional instruments and global best practices for 15 AU Member States
African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
-
Lead Consultant, Mechanisms to Facilitate the Domestication of Global Instruments and Initiatives (2022)
African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
-
Lead Consultant, Identification of Issues for SIDS, Development of Draft Strategic Positions for SIDS
African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
-
Team member, Environmental Systems Analysis of the Avu Lagoon Protected area
Calgary Zoo Foundation
-
Trainer, Conduct Marine Spatial Planning Workshop in Ghana
University of Liverpool
-
Team member, Pre-feasibility study for nature-based intervention for Anlo Beach community in Ghana
Valued at US$32,365.00
-
Team member, Marine Plastic Pollution Study in Liberia
Conservation International
-
Team member, Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate - WACA -VAR Workshop
World Bank
-
Consultant, Support Development of Multi-sector Resilience Investment Programme for the West Africa Coastal Area Management Program
World Bank
-
Consultant, Issues and Opportunities in the Ghanaian Fishery Sector: Addressing the context, prospects and challenges
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), United Kingdom
-
Consultant, Estimations on renewable energy investments in Ghana
Highland Star Group (HSG) of Companies, Geneva, Switzerland
-
Team Member, Regional Mapping of Experts and Institutions in Coastal management
World Bank
-
Lead Consultant, Review of the Fisheries Act 2002 (act 625) and the Development of Draft Regulations for the conduct of Fisheries Impact Assessments
Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and GOGIG funded by DFID/UK
-
Team member, Environmental baseline survey of water bodies in the Great Consolidated Diamond Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mining concession
AERC Ltd.
-
Team member, Scoping Study on the Dredging of the Whin Estuary in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
UCC Consultancy Unit/Consolidated Energy Ltd.
-
Team member, Social Ecology of Anlo Beach Wetland of Ghana
Friends of the Nation/IUCN/French Global Environment Facility (GEF)
-
Principal Investigator, Biodiversity Assessment of Urban Wetlands in the Western Region, Ghana with focus on Essei and Butuah Lagoons and the Whin River Estuary
USAID through Friends of the Nation