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Prof. Paul Narh Doku
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Prof. Paul Narh Doku

Associate Professor - ( Senior Member ) School of Nursing and Midwifery
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Field(s) of Specialization
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Health and Household Issues
Mental Health and Psychiatry
Psychotherapies
Spirituality and Psychology
Field(s) of Academic Interest
Adolescent Health
Child Health and Wellbeing
E-Health and M-Health
Evidenced Based Health Promotion
Health Statistics
About

Prof. Paul Narh Doku is a distinguished scholar, researcher, and educator with extensive expertise in psychology, mental health, and quality of life research. Currently on leave from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana, he serves as an Associate Professor at the American University in Dubai, UAE, since August 2024. Prior to this, he was a Visiting Scholar at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, where he contributed to advancing psychology education and research.

Prof. Doku holds a Synergy PhD in Psychology (Psychological Medicine & Wellbeing) from the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, Scotland, UK. He is a Chartered Health Psychologist and an active member of several prestigious professional organizations, including the Ghana Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the British Psychological Society (BPS).

A prolific researcher, Prof. Doku has published extensively in high-impact journals, including The Lancet, The Lancet HIV, Nature, Nature Medicine, Psychological Medicine, AIDS Care, PLOS ONE, Global Public Health, BMC Medicine, and BMC Public Health. His research primarily focuses on the psychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS in children and young people, mental health, positive psychology, and quality of life. He serves as an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE and the Journal of AIDS and HIV Research and is a frequent peer reviewer for leading health and social science journals. Additionally, he contributes to curriculum development and accreditation as an Expert Assessor for the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), where he evaluates undergraduate and postgraduate programs in psychology, counseling, and mental health.

With over a decade of tertiary-level teaching experience, Prof. Doku has taught a diverse range of psychology and mental health courses, including Introductory Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Positive Psychology, Positive Psychology, Cultural Psychology, Research Methods, Biostatistics, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Psychopathology, Health Psychology, Counseling, and Developmental Psychology. His student-centered, social constructivist approach to teaching has earned him high ratings in teaching evaluations from both students and peers.

Beyond teaching, he has held several key leadership roles, including Head of the Mental Health Department and Vice-Dean at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC, and Head of the Department of Human Development & Psychology at Regent University, Ghana. He has also served as a Hall Tutor at both the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast.

Prof. Doku’s academic journey spans globally recognized institutions, earning a PhD in Psychology from the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde (UK), an MPhil in Human Development from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway), and a BA in Psychology with Philosophy from the University of Ghana, Legon.

A respected voice in psychology, mental health, and higher education, Prof. Doku continues to shape the future of psychological research and education internationally.


A combination of student centered approach and social construction of knowledge

  • School of Nursing and Midwifery

    Till

    2025

    Visit
Degrees
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

    University of Glasgow 2012
  • Master of Philosophy in Psychology

    Norwegian University of Science and Technology 2007
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

    University of Ghana 2004
  • Presenter

    March, 2022

    Mental Health & HIV: HIV Primary Care, Mental and Behavioural Health. Organized by HRSA's AIDS Education and Training Centre (AETC) Program, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. .

  • Attendee

    November, 2021

    HIV/AIDS Joint Strategy to Achieve Epidemic Control in Ghana. Organized by Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) with support from JSI and USAID Strengthening the Care Continuum Project.

  • Presenter

    June, 2021

    40 Years of Progress – It’s Time to End the HIV Epidemic. Organized by the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS) Officers at Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE). .

  • Attendee

    April, 2021

    Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic Organized by PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) and WHO Webinar Series "Tackling Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), risk factors and mental health during the time of COVID-19.

  • Attendee

    December, 2014

    Emerging trends in Mental Health in Ghana: Collaborations, Partnerships and Challenges The 4th Annual Joint Conference of the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Ghana. The Great Hall, University of Ghana.

  • Presenter (Poster)

    October, 2010

    12. CHALLENGING STIGMA: A conference on research and action against HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination in Cape Coast, Ghana University of Cape Coast.

  • Presenter

    March, 2008

    The Psychological wellbeing of AIDS orphans in Ghana: Preliminary findings. 2nd National HIV/AIDS Research Conference (NHARCON), La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

  • Facilitator

    September, 2024

    Contemporary Issues in Fisheries Management. Fisheries Leadership Short course for Practitioners funded by USAID/Fisheries Recovery Activity Ghana.

  • Presenter

    October, 2024

    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

    October, 2024

    “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

    October, 2021

    “Grants Proposal Writing Workshop” University for Development Studies.

  • Presenter

    November, 2024

    “Performance of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience”, Country Round Table Workshop Association of African Universities (AAU), Online.

  • Facilitator

    November, 2024

    “Regional Political Parties Dialogue on Fisheries: Protecting Our Fish, Securing Our Future, Live Engagement on JoyNews TV Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast.

  • Presenter

    November, 2023

    Professorial Inaugural Lecture on the topic “Our Oceans: Securing Our Common Future through Transformative Research” Medical School Auditorium, University of Cape Coast.

  • Presenter

    March, 2024

    Africa’s Plastic Revolution: Advancing Global Solutions for Healthy Oceans, T.D. Walter Bean Professorship Public Lecture University of Waterloo, Canada.

  • Presenter

    June, 2024

    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

    June, 2024

    Regional Steering Committee Workshop for the World Bank West African Coastal Resilience Investment Projects (WACA ReSiP and ReiP2) Banjul, Gambia.

  • Facilitator

    July-August, 2012

    Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change. Short-term Training Course funded by USAID Ghana.

  • Co-Discussant

    July, 2023

    “Expanding the Impact of Blue Economy in Africa” (with Professor Rashid Sumaila) World Bank Headquarters, Washington.

  • Facilitator

    February, 2022

    Workshop on “Winning Research and Development Grants in a Competitive World” Bolgatanga Technical University, Ghana.

  • Facilitator

    February, 2019

    Workshop on “Proposal and Grants writing” University of Ghana, Ghana.

  • Speaker

    August, 2024

    Study Tour on Sustainable Fisheries Management & Leadership University of Rhode Island, United States.

  • Presenter

    August, 2023

    Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Ghana Case Study. Bootcamp on moving fisheries from Vulnerability to Viability Puri, Delhi, India.

  • Guest Speaker

    April, 2024

    Workshop Presentation on “Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy in Africa Hohai University, China.

  • Participant

    2021

    6th ACE Impact Regional Workshop of the World Bank and the Association of African Universities Accra (Online).

  • Panelist

    2014

    Seaweed (Sargassum) Invasion on the Ghanaian Coasts, Implications for the National Economy and Management Live TV Broadcast, GTV.

  • Guest Speaker

    2010

    “West African Fisheries”, Workshop by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) University of Makerere, Kampala, Uganda.

  • The psychological impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the society: the role of the psychiatric nurse in a changing world.

    2021 Graduation Ceremony. Ankaful College of Psychiatric Nursing, Ankaful, Cape Coast, Ghana. 31st August 2021 (https://www.myjoyonline.com/covid-19-worsening-mental-health-situation-in-ghana-dr-narh-doku/).

  • Updating the skills of nurse and midwife educators to reflect the fast- changing trends in nursing and midwifery education.

    Regional Annual General Meeting of the Nurse Educators Group, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association of Ghana. GRNMA Guest house, Cape Coast, Ghana .

  • Private tertiary health education at a crossroad.

    Flosam Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Sciences. Inauguration and 1st Matriculation, Suhum, Eastern Region, Ghana..

    1. 2022

      Research Support Grant (Project Title: mHealth and Psychotropic Medication Adherence)

      Directorate of Research, Innovation & Consultancy (DRIC), University of Cape Coast

    2. 2022

      Research Support Grant (Project Title: Covid-19 and mental healthcare)

      Directorate of Research, Innovation & Consultancy (DRIC), University of Cape Coast

    3. 2021

      Research Support Grant (PI; Project Title: Psychotropic medication adherence among patients in psychiatric hospitals in Ghana)

      School of Nursing and Midwifery Research Grant, University of Cape Coast

    4. 2009

      Doctoral Fieldwork Research Grant

      Parkes Foundation, UK

    1. 2012

      Synergy Fellowship,

      Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, Scotland

    2. 2012

      Overseas Research Students Award

      UK Government and the University of Glasgow, UK

    3. 2007

      Norwegian Quota Programme for Central and Eastern Europe, and Developing Countries

      Norwegian Government and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

    1. 2013

      Member (ID: 2454)

      International Association of Youth Mental Health

    2. 2013

      Member (ID: 1346)

      Ghana Psychological Association

    3. 2008

      Member (ID: 92223387)

      American Psychological Association

    4. 2008

      Member (ID: 241269)

      British Psychological Society

    1. Principal Investigator

      March 2021 - Present

      Psychotropic medication adherence among patients in psychiatric hospitals in Ghana.

    2. Principal Investigator

      March 2020 - Present

      Positive Psychology among Tertiary Students in Ghana.

    3. Co-Investigator

      March 2020 - Present

      The effects of covid-19 on health, wellbeing and educational activities: the case of Health students in tertiary institutions.

    4. Principal Investigator

      March 2006 - Present

      Psychosocial adjustment of children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana.

    5. Co-investigator

      August 2020 - Present

      Application of mHealth in Promoting Psychotropic Medication Adherence

    1. 2024-2025

      Team member, Contract for services to deliver a short course on Marine Litter under the OCPP

      Cefas/UKAID

    2. 2024

      Panel Chair, Reviewed Environmental Impact Statement of PECAN Energies for Offshore Exploration of Oil & Gas

      Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana, Secondi/Takoradi

    3. 2023-2024

      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

    4. 2023-2024

      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

    5. 2023

      Lead Consultant, Contract for the Development of Fishery Courses Syllabi for Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (DoFAS), University of Liberia

      IDA-V3100

    6. 2023

      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

    7. 2022-2023

      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)

    8. 2022-2023

      Lead Consultant, Mechanisms to Facilitate the Domestication of Global Instruments and Initiatives (2022)

      African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

    9. 2022-2023

      Lead Consultant, Identification of Issues for SIDS, Development of Draft Strategic Positions for SIDS

      African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

    10. 2022

      Team member, Environmental Systems Analysis of the Avu Lagoon Protected area

      Calgary Zoo Foundation

    11. 2021

      Trainer, Conduct Marine Spatial Planning Workshop in Ghana

      University of Liverpool

    12. 2021

      Team member, Pre-feasibility study for nature-based intervention for Anlo Beach community in Ghana

      Valued at US$32,365.00

    13. 2021

      Team member, Marine Plastic Pollution Study in Liberia

      Conservation International

    14. 2021

      Team member, Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate - WACA -VAR Workshop

      World Bank

    15. 2020-2021

      Consultant, Support Development of Multi-sector Resilience Investment Programme for the West Africa Coastal Area Management Program

      World Bank

    16. 2020-2021

      Consultant, Issues and Opportunities in the Ghanaian Fishery Sector: Addressing the context, prospects and challenges

      Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), United Kingdom

    17. 2020

      Consultant, Estimations on renewable energy investments in Ghana

      Highland Star Group (HSG) of Companies, Geneva, Switzerland

    18. 2019-2020

      Team Member, Regional Mapping of Experts and Institutions in Coastal management

      World Bank

    19. 2017

      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

    20. 2013

      Team member, Environmental baseline survey of water bodies in the Great Consolidated Diamond Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mining concession

      AERC Ltd.

    21. 2012

      Team member, Scoping Study on the Dredging of the Whin Estuary in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

      UCC Consultancy Unit/Consolidated Energy Ltd.

    22. 2011

      Team member, Social Ecology of Anlo Beach Wetland of Ghana

      Friends of the Nation/IUCN/French Global Environment Facility (GEF)

    23. 2010

      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

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