Philomena Efua Nyarko
Accra
Summary
As research professional, brings wealth of experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Proven ability to deliver actionable insights and drive decision-making processes. Demonstrated expertise in data analysis and stakeholder communication. Strong emphasis on team collaboration and adaptability to changing project needs, ensuring reliable and flexible support.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Consultant
Private Consulting
02.2017 - Current
- Engaged in a number of research assignments.
- Assisted UN Women to develop a Regional Project Document on Gender Statistics in line with the UN Women’s Flagship Programme Initiative: Making Every Woman and Girl Count.
- Supported the African Development Bank to prepare the second phase of the Strategy for the Harmonisation of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA 2).
- Produced an Abridged Version of SHaSA 2 and prepared guidelines for mainstreaming SHaSA 2 into National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) and Regional Strategies for the Development of Statistics (RSDS).
- Developed a research paper on 'Advancing Administrative Sources of Data for Monitoring Gender-related SDGs' for UN Women Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO).
- Assisted the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics to develop a new Statistics Act with funding support from the African Centre for Statistics of the United Nations Commission for Africa.
- Supported the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) under the Pan African Statistics Programme II (PAS II) to train Member States to mainstream its Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics into their National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDSs).
- Conducted a mid-term evaluation of the 2021-2025 Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
- Assisted COMESA to prepare and train its Member States on mainstreaming the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS) into their National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDSs).
- Served as the expert on a three-man team to conduct a peer review of the Nigeria National Statistical System.
- Currently preparing to assist with the peer review of the Seychelles National Statistical System in May 2025.
Government Statistician
Ghana Statistical Service
05.2013 - 11.2016
- Company Overview: The national institution responsible for the production of official statistics.
The activities I undertook as Government Statistician were as follows:
- Responsible for the efficient supervision and coordination of the technical and administrative activities of the GSS.
- Coordinated the production and dissemination of statistical information within the National Statistical System.
- Advised Government on all matters relating to statistics.
- Supervised the completion of several large-scale research projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints. They include the 2010 Population and Housing Census, the 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), the 2012 Transport Survey, the 2012/2013 Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS6), the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey, the 2015 Family Life and Health Survey, the 2015 Ghana Labour Force Survey, the Phase I and II of the Integrated Business Establishment Survey and preparatory activities for the planned Census of Agriculture.
- Oversaw the preparation of several statistical reports (264 in all) from these censuses and surveys.
- Produced and disseminated annual and quarterly GDP for both constant and current prices, external trade statistics, service statistics, agriculture statistics, and monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) and their associated inflation rates.
- Rebased the CPI in 2013 from the 2002 base year to 2012.
- Prepared for another rebasing of the CPI from the 2012 base year to 2017 and to rebase the Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) from the 1997 base year to 2017.
- Plans were also far advanced to rebase the 1993 System of National Accounts to the 2008 System of National Accounts at the time of my retirement.
Acting Government Statistician
Ghana Statistical Service
01.2012 - 04.2013
- Company Overview: The national institution responsible for the production of official statistics
- Coordinated activities for a number of projects, including the 2010 Census, the 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the 2012 Transport Survey and the 2012/2013 Ghana Living Standards Survey
- Served as part time Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana.
Deputy Government Statistician (Operations)
Ghana Statistical Service
08.2010 - 12.2012
- Company Overview: The national institution responsible for the production of official statistics.
- Provided professional leadership and direction to the operational divisions/units of the GSS.
- Coordinated the 2010 Ghana Census and other large-scale surveys, ensuring quality control and adherence to statistical standards.
- Ensured adherence to international standards and the harmonization of the statistics produced across all sectors of the economy.
Senior Lecturer
Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana
03.2008 - 07.2010
- Taught Master's students technical demography, statistical computing and advanced quantitative analysis.
- Supervised the theses of students pursuing Population Studies at Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy levels.
- Conducted research on demographic trends, contributing to scholarly publications and advancing knowledge in the field.
- Developed and delivered comprehensive curriculum on quantitative analysis, enhancing student engagement and understanding.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating real-life examples and case-studies into lectures.
- Engaged in continuous professional development through attending workshops and conferences to stay current with trends and best practices in the population field.
Lecturer
Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana
01.2007 - 02.2008
- Developed and delivered engaging lectures on technical demography, statistical computing and advanced quantitative analysis to Master of Arts students offering population studies.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments and provided constructive feedback for improvement.
- Contributed to departmental initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes in population studies programs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to promote comprehensive understanding of demographic dynamics.
- Conducted individual research projects to actively contribute to institution's research work.
Program Officer – FRONTIERS
Population Council
03.2004 - 01.2007
- Provided technical assistance to Ghanaian partner organizations to undertake operations research to improve reproductive health service delivery in the country.
- Developed and implemented health research projects to inform policy.
- Evaluated program impact through rigorous assessment methods, driving continuous improvement efforts.
- Advocated for innovative solutions in reproductive health programming at national forums and conferences.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
Postdoctoral Mellon Fellow
Navrongo Health Research Centre
11.1999 - 11.2001
Head of the Demographic Surveillance System (a longitudinal population registration system) of the Navrongo Health Research Centre.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance staff capabilities in demographic data collection.
- Managed and supervised field operations, analyzed and disseminated data,
- Prepared statistical reports and disseminated research findings to guide policies and programs.
- Provided statistical and demographic support to other units within the Health Research Centre.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to design and evaluate public health projects targeting local health challenges.
Principal Statistician
Ghana Statistical Service
01.1987 - 12.1996
- Company Overview: The national institution responsible for the production of official statistics.
- Involved in planning and implementing large-scale statistical surveys,
- Conducted thorough data collection and validation processes to ensure accuracy.
- Prepared statistical reports and disseminated research findings to guide policies and programs.
Education
PhD - Social Statistics
University of Southampton
Southampton10.1999
Postgraduate Diploma - Population Studies
University of Ghana, Legon
Accra, Ghana08.1984
B Sc. - Home Science (Foods & Nutrition Option)
University of Ghana, Legon
Accra, Ghana08.1981
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Proficient in SPSS for statistical analysis
- Mixed-methods research proficiency
- Research project planning
- Quality assurance protocols
- Dedicated work ethic
- Adept at prioritizing tasks simultaneously
- Collaborative teamwork
- Technical report writing
References
Professor Nyovani Madise
Timeline
Research Consultant
Private Consulting
02.2017 - Current
Government Statistician
Ghana Statistical Service
05.2013 - 11.2016
Acting Government Statistician
Ghana Statistical Service
01.2012 - 04.2013
Deputy Government Statistician (Operations)
Ghana Statistical Service
08.2010 - 12.2012
Senior Lecturer
Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana
03.2008 - 07.2010
Lecturer
Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana
01.2007 - 02.2008
Program Officer – FRONTIERS
Population Council
03.2004 - 01.2007
Postdoctoral Mellon Fellow
Navrongo Health Research Centre
11.1999 - 11.2001
Principal Statistician
Ghana Statistical Service
01.1987 - 12.1996
PhD - Social Statistics
University of Southampton
Postgraduate Diploma - Population Studies
University of Ghana, Legon
B Sc. - Home Science (Foods & Nutrition Option)
University of Ghana, Legon
Membership Of Boards Committees
- Member, Governing Council, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, 2020-04-01, 2025-01-31
- Vice Chair, Africa Digital Rights’ Hub Board, 2018-05-04
- Chair, Governing Board, Assin Manso Senior High School, 2017-11-01, 2021-06-30
- Member, Expert Group on the Regional Report of the African Gender and Development Index (AGDI), 2017-10-01
- Member, Task Team on the Preparation of Phase 2 of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics, 2017-08-01
- Member, Technical Working Group of the “African Health Stats”, 2017-07-01
- Chair, Young Statistician’s Prize Selection Panel of the International Association of Official Statisticians, 2017-07-01, 2018-05-31
- Chair, Global Executive Board for the Implementation of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics, 2015-06-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Inter-Agency and Expert Group (IAEG) on Agricultural and Rural Statistics, 2015-01-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Young Statistician’s Prize Selection Panel of the International Association of Official Statisticians, 2015-01-01, 2017-05-31
- Member, Expert Group on the Indicator Framework for the Post 2015 Development Agenda, 2014-12-01, 2015-12-31
- Chair, African Group on Gender Statistics, 2013-09-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, RIPS Management Committee, 2014-08-01, 2015-12-31
- Member, Board of the National Identification Authority (NIA), 2013-09-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Continental Steering Committee (CSC) for the implementation of the 2008 System of National Accounts (SNA), 2013-09-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), 2013-07-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, National Population Council (NPC), 2013-05-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Steering Committee of the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), 2012-11-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Advisory Board of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), 2012-11-01, 2015-07-31
- Member, Governing Board of Data Protection Commission, 2012-09-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Project Steering Committee of the Economy of Ghana Network (EGN), 2012-08-01
- Member, Advisory Board of the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, 2012-08-01, 2014-07-31
- Interim Chair, Ghana AIDS Commission, 2012-07-01
- Member, Advisory Board, EMBRACE Implementation in Ghana, 2012-06-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Steering Committee, Ghana Open Data Initiative (GODI), 2012-06-01, 2016-11-30
- Chair, Steering Committee of the Ghana AIDS Commission, 2012-04-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Scientific Committee, 2013 National HIV and AIDS Research Conference (NHARCON), 2012-04-01
- Member, Global Steering Committee for the Implementation of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics, 2012-07-01, 2016-11-30
- Member, Board of the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, 2007-08-01, 2010-07-31
- Member, Ethics Board, University of Ghana, 2008-09-01, 2010-07-31
- Member, RIPS/ISSER Library Board, 2007-01-01, 2010-12-31
- Member, Obaapa Vitamin A Trial Steering Committee, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana, 2003-03-01, 2010-12-31
- Member, NEWHINTS Trial Steering Committee, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana, 2007-03-01, 2010-12-31
- Member, National Census Technical Advisory Committee (NCTAC) for the 2010 Population and Housing Census, 2008-08-01, 2010-12-31
- Member, Academic Board, University of Ghana, 2002-01-01, 2004-12-31
- Member, Ghana Statistical Sectoral Working Group on Population, 2001-11-01, 2003-09-30
- Member, NHRC Institutional Review Board, 2001-02-01, 2001-10-31
- Reviewer, GENUS, 2009-03-01
- Reviewer, Human Resources for Health, 2008-04-01, 2010-12-31
- Reviewer, Legon Journal of Science, 2006-01-01
- Reviewer, African Population Studies Journal, 2003-01-01, 2010-12-31
- Reviewer, African Career Awards Research Proposals, 2001-02-01, 2003-01-31
- Abstract Reviewer, 8th International Conference on Urban Health, 2009-06-01, 2009-10-23
- Discussant, 8th International Conference on Urban Health, 2009-10-18, 2009-10-23
- Discussant, 184th Session of the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, 2009-04-29, 2009-05-02
- Assessor, External Research Councils/Funding Agencies (ESRC/Hewlett), 2007-06-01
- External Examiner, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, 2007-09-01
- Acting Director, RIPS, 2007-12-01, 2010-12-31
Social Activities
- Chairperson, Parish Pastoral Council, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Legon, 2023-01-01
- 1st Vice President, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Knights of St. John International Ladies Auxiliary #782, 2024-10-01
- 2nd Vice President, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Knights of St. John International, Ladies Auxiliary #782, 2022-10-01, 2024-09-30
- Vice President, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Choir, Legon, 2021-04-01
- Member, Basic Christian Community of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2019-01-08
- Member, Parish Choir, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Legon, 2018-09-27
- First Trustee, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Knights of St. John International Ladies Auxiliary #782, 2018-09-01, 2022-09-30
- Patron, Ushers Ministry, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Legon, 2018-03-17
- Member, Biblical Apostolate Committee, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Legon, 2017-12-21
- Resource Person, La Amanfro Pensioners Association, 2017-01-01, 2019-12-31
- Member, Building and Projects Committee, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, 2015-01-01
- Member, Basic Christian Community of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Lower Hill, Univ. of Ghana, Legon, 2012-01-01, 2014-12-31
- Vice President, Women of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (WOSTACC), 2012-01-01, 2016-12-31
- Vice-Chairperson, Parish Pastoral Council, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, University of Ghana, Legon, 2011-01-01, 2015-12-31
- Member, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, Legon, 2008-01-01, 2009-12-31
- Member, Legion of Mary, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, Legon, 1981-01-01, 1996-12-31
- Member, Legion of Mary, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, Legon, 2002-01-01, 2004-12-31
- Member, Legion of Mary, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, Legon, 2018-01-01
- Member, Students’ Choir, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, 1979-01-01, 1981-08-31
- Treasurer, Legion of Mary (Students’ Praesidium), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, Legon, 1980-01-01, 1981-12-31
- Member, Legion of Mary (Students’ Praesidium), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, 1979-01-01, 1980-12-31
- Member, Legion of Mary (Students’ Praesidium), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, 2019-01-01
Fellowships Awards
- Postdoctoral Mellon Fellowship, 1999-01-01, 2001-12-31
- British Council Award, 1996-01-01, 1998-12-31
- Population Council Student Fellowship, 1998-01-01, 1999-12-31
- United Nations Fellowship, 1983-01-01, 1984-12-31
- United Nations Fellowship, 1985-01-01, 1987-12-31
Membership Of Associations
- International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP)
- British Society for Population Studies (BSPS)
- Union of African Population Scientists (UAPS)
- Population Association of Ghana (PAG)
- Population Association of America (PAA)
- American Public Health Association (APHA)
Computing Skills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Excel)
- SPSS
- STATA
- QFIVE
- MORTPAK
- PAS
- SPECTRUM
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 11 May 1956
- Nationality: Ghanaian
Publications
- Contemporary Female Migration in Ghana: Analysis of the 2000 and 2010 Censuses, Lattof S.R., Coast E., Leone T., Nyarko P., Demographic Research, 39, 44, 1181-1226, 10.4054/DemRes.2018.39.44, 2018-01-01
- Is a woman’s first pregnancy outcome related to her years of schooling? An assessment of women’s adolescent pregnancy outcomes and subsequent educational attainment in Ghana, Biney A. A.E., Nyarko P., Reproductive Health, 14, 123, 10.1186/s12978-017-0378-2, 2017-01-01
- Geographical Inequalities and Social and Environmental Risk Factors for Under-Five Mortality in Ghana in 2000 and 2010: Bayesian Spatial Analysis of Census Data, Arku R.E., Bennett J.E., Castro M.C., Agyeman-Duah K., Mintah S.E., Ware J.H., Nyarko P., Spengler J.D., Agyei-Mensah S., Majid Ezzati, M., PLoS Med, 13, e1002038, 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002038, 2016-01-01
- Geographical Access to Care at Birth in Ghana: a Barrier to Safe Motherhood, Gething P.W., Johnson Amoako F., Frempong-Ainguah F., Nyarko P., Baschieri A., Aboagye P., Falkingham J., Matthews Z., Atkinson Peter M., BMC Public Health, 12, 991, 2012-01-01
- Haptoglobin Polymorphism and Association with Complications in Ghanaian Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Adinortey, M.B., Gyan B.A., Adjimani J.P., Nyarko P.E., Sarpong C., Tsikata F.Y., Nyarko A.K., Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 26, 4, 366-372, 2011-01-01
- Dyslipdaemia Associated with Type 2 Diabetics with Micro and Macrovascular Complications among Ghanaians, Adinortey, M.B., Gyan B.E., Adjimani J.P., Nyarko P., Sarpong C., Tsikata F.Y., Nyarko A.K., Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 26, 3, 261-268, 2011-01-01
- Impact Evaluation Study: Health impact of the scale-up to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria with special reference to the Global Fund. Country Report, Ghana, Tawiah E., Nyarko P., Frempong-Ainguah F., Bosu B., Osei D., 2009-08-01
- Is there any relationship between haptoglobin phenotypes and retinopathy among Ghanaian Diabetics?, Adinortey, M.B., Gyan B.E., Adjimani J.P., Nyarko P.E., Nyarko A.K., Journal of the Ghana Science Association, 11, 2, 9-15, 2009-01-01
- The effect of community nurses and health volunteers on child mortality: The Navrongo Community Health and Family Planning Project, Pence B.W., Nyarko P., Phillips J.F., Debpuur C., Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 35, 6, 599-608, 2007-12-01
- Empirical estimation of the completeness of death registration in Greater Accra Region, Ghana, 1999-2001, Kwankye, S.O., Nyarko, P.E., Anarfi J.K., African Population Studies, Special Issue, 7-35, 2007-06-01
- Child Survival and Fertility Transition in Ghana, Nyarko, P., 2005-04-01
- Health Inequalities in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana, Debpuur, C., Wontuo P., Akazili J., Nyarko P., 2005-01-01
- Fertility Levels, Patterns and Trends, Nyarko, P.E., 2005-01-01
- Mortality Levels, Patterns and Trends, Nyarko, P.E., 2005-01-01
- Child Loss and Fertility Behaviour in Ghana, Nyarko, P., Madise N., Diamond I., 2003-01-01
- Navrongo Demographic Surveillance System, Ghana, Nyarko, P., Wontuo P., Nazzar A., Phillips J., Ngom P., Binka F., 2002-01-01
- Assessing the Quality of DSS Data, Nyarko, P., Collison M., Binka F., 2002-01-01
- Immunization and Child Survival in Rural Ghana, Nyarko, P., Pence B., Debpuur C., 2001-01-01
- Infant Mortality and the Pace of Childbearing in Ghana: Some Evidence of Son Preference, Nyarko, P., Madise N., Diamond I., 1999-12-01
- Female-Headed Households: Roles and Consequences, Nyarko, P.E., 1995-06-01
- Health, Morbidity and Mortality Issues in Ghana, Batse, Z.M.K., Nyarko P. E., 1995-01-01
- Nutrition and Health Status of Infants and Young Children in Ghana, Agble, R., Nyarko P., Haggerty P., Rutstein S.O., 1995-01-01
- Economic Activity, Addomah-Gyabaah, K., Quashie S.E., Nyarko P.E., 1995-01-01