Profession of Industrial/Organisational

Psychology in Ghana: History, Training

and Employment
Seth Oppong*
Depart. of Psychology & Human Development
Regent University College of Science & Technology
Accra-Ghana; September 20, 2010

*Founding partner of O&O Research Bureau; Trainer at African Institute of Management Science;
HR coordinator for Alliance Against Irregular Migration
 Outline
• Defining I/O psychology
• Differences between I/O and Business
programmes
• Brief history of I/O in Ghana
• Employment settings of I/O psychologists in
Ghana
• Educational requirements for practice of I/O
psychology
• Ghana Institute of Industrial and
Organisational Psychology (GIIOP)
 Defining I/O psychology
• I/O psychology is a branch of psychology that
applies the principles and theories of
psychology to the workplace

• The Canadian Psychological Association says

of I/O psychologists as professionals who “are
able to apply psychological theories to explain
and enhance the effectiveness of human
behavior and cognition in the workplace”
 What do I/O Psychologists in Ghana
usually do?*
• Analyze jobs
• Conduct organisational analysis
• Conduct survey of employee feelings and opinions
• Design an employee performance appraisal system
• Design an employee selection programme
• Design a training programme
• Conduct training
• Manage payrolls
• Evaluate the effectiveness of an activity or practice such as
a training programme
• Implement an organisational change such as a new pay
structure
*This is based on nature of job responsibilities and oral literature
Traditional Classification of I/O Fields*
• Industrial psychology
– Personnel psychology
– Ergonomics or engineering psychology
• Organizational psychology
– Organizational behaviour
– Organizational theory and design

*Based on Dr. Akuamoah-Boateng’s classification of I/O usually taught at the undergraduate level
 Major Fields of I/O Psychology*
• Industrial (Personnel) psychology
– According Latham (2007), the I in I/O is equivalent
to Human Resource Management
• Organizational Psychology
– According Latham (2007), the O in I/O is
equivalent to Organizational Behaviour
• Human Factors/Ergonomics
• Occupational Health Psychology
*Based on Dr. Mike Aamodt, Radford University, Virginia
Differences between I/O and Business
programmes
• Application of psychological principles best
distinguishes I/O from the related fields typically
taught in business departments and schools
• I/O examines factors that influence the people in
an organization as opposed to the broader
aspects of running an organization
• I/O practitioners rely extensively on research,
quantitative methods, and testing techniques
– I/O practitioners are trained as Scientist-practitioners
(Boulder Training Model in Psychology)
History of I/O psychology in Ghana
• Relatively new in Ghana*
– I/O is nearly 40 years old in Ghana if we trace its beginnings to the
first I/O class at the undergraduate level in the 1970s
– However, if we trace its beginnings to the first Doctoral level I/O
psychologist in Ghana in the early 1980s, then I/O is probably 30 years
old in Ghana
• Dr. Robert Akuamoah-Boateng obtained his Ph.D. in 1982
from University of Kent
• Depart. Of Psychology started providing and continue to
provide consulting services to Ghana Armed Forces (aptitude
testing, training, etc.) as well as Ghana Commercial Bank
• Started when an undergraduate level course in I/O was
introduced and later on post-graduate degrees (MPhil and
PhD) were introduced
*History presented here is based on oral literature as no such history has been documented. This rather represents the
first attempt to do so.
 History of I/O psychology in Ghana – Cont’d.
• The first batch of master’s level I/O psychologists graduated in the
early 1980s from the University of Ghana, Legon.

• A post-graduate degree can now be obtained in Ghana at University

of Ghana, Legon and University of Applied Management (MA
Business Psychology with I/O specialization)
• An alternative MPhil in HRM can also be obtained at University of
Ghana Business School
• A bachelor’s degree in I/O can also be obtained at University of
Applied Management
• Does not have a vibrant association like SIOP BUT one has began as
Industrial & Organizational Psychologists Association, Ghana on
www.facebook.com
• Employment prospects is good but one has to explain himself or
herself to gain access
 Leading I/O Figures in Ghana
• Dr Robert Akuamoah-Boateng (Psychology Depart., University
of Ghana)
– Among the pioneers in Ghana
– Trained many of the master’s level I/O psychologists in Ghana and
many who have obtained their PhD now including such people as Dr.
Asumeng and Dr. Amponsah Tawiah
• Dr. Bill Puplampu (University of Ghana Business School)
– First I/O psychologists to have headed the Depart. of Organisation and
Human Resource Management within the shores of Ghana
– Introduced an I/O-related journal , Management & Organisation, in
Ghana
– Introduced an alternative to MPhil I/O at the Business School, MPhil
HRM
– Currently appointed as the Dean of School of Business Management and
Administration, Central University College-Ghana (2010)
Leading I/O Figures in Ghana – Cont’d.
• Many of the Ghanaian I/O psychologists in the Diaspora have
had very little impact on the shape and form of I/O practice in
Ghana
– Their major contribution has been in the area of I/O research using
Ghanaian samples; are even hardly heard of or read by I/Os in Ghana
– Eg: Dr. Seth Gyekye Ayim, a senior lecturer in Occupational Psychology
at the Department of Human Sciences and Law, Buckinghamshire New
University, UK and probably among the Ghanaian pioneers in the area
of occupational health psychology
• Akosuah Agyeman – arguably among the first female master’s
level I/O psychologists trained by Dr. Akuamoah-Boateng and
who has succesfully practised I/O since graduation
– CEO of Crossbridge Consult and faculty member at Organisational
Development Centre (ODC)
 Few of the Consulting Firms by I/O
Psychologists in Ghana
1. O&O Research Bureau (Seth & Alfred, MPhil)
2. Psychon HR (Bill Puplampu, PhD)
3. Occpsych Ghana LLC (Roland Teye, MS) Akosuah Agyeman, MPhil

4. Industrial/Organisational Psychology Ltd. (Akuamoah-Boateng,

PhD)
5. Covenant Associates (Amponsah Tawiah, PhD)
6. Bureau of Market & Social Research (Martin Gyambrah, PhD;
partner)
7. Crossbridge Consult (Akosuah Agyeman, MPhil)
8. Psycfields Consulting (Kwabena Nkansah Sempe, MPhil)
9. Sankofa Solutions, Inc. (Wilhelmina Esi Parker, MSc)
10. Occupational Management Ltd. (Anita Wiafe, MSc)
11. Sun Solutions Ghana Ltd. (Dela Akpakli, MPhil)
Positions usually held by I/O Psychologists
in Private Companies in Ghana
• HR Manager
• HR Director
• Training Manager
• Training Coordinator
• Training Officer (entry level)*
• HR Officer (entry level)*
• Research Officer (entry level)*
• Research Coordinator
*Positions held during internships/industrial attachment
Some of the Organizations where I/O psychologists work in Ghana (2010) – all
hold either managerial or supervisory position*
Organization Position/Department
1. Zenith Bank Customer Service
2. Barclays Bank HR
3. Ghana Commercial Bank Deputy HR Director
4. Ghana Commercial Bank HR
5. Intercontinental Bank Training Coordinator
6. Intercontinental Bank Customer Service
7. Vodafone Ghana Training
8. PriceWaterHouseCoopers HR
9. HFC Bank HR
10. Opportunity International Manager (Reward & Compensation)
11. Metropolitan Insurance Company HR
12. GC-Net HR
13. INGConsult HR/OD Consultant
14. African Institute of Management Science Training Consultants
15. B.APPAH Electricals Ltd. HR & Admin Manager
16. Gamey & Gamey** Training/Research
17. Axis Human Capital Ltd** HR/OD
18. The Capital Group** Recruitment/Training
19. Amal Bank HR
20. Tema Development Corporation (TDC) HR Manager
21. Cal Bank HR Manager
*This list excludes the I/O psychologists hired by the I/O consulting firms in the country
**Used to work with them
Universities and Institutes in Ghana that hire I/O
Psychologists as Lecturers*
1. Business School, Green Hill College-GIMPA
2. Depart. of Psychology, University of Ghana
3. University of Ghana Business School
4. ISSER, University of Ghana
5. Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana
6. Business School, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science &
Technology
7. Institute of Education, University of Cape Coast
8. Business School, University of Cape Coast
9. Regent University College of Science & Technology
10. Methodist University College
11. Ghana Institute of Journalism
*Based on Google search and oral literature
Universities and Institutes in Ghana that hire I/O
Psychologists as Lecturers – Cont’d.
12. School of Business Management and Administration
(SBMA)Central University College (the I/O is the new Dean)
13. University of Applied Management
14. Knutsford University College
15. Wisconsin International University College
16. Data Link University College (Social psychologist)
17. Manifold Institute
18. Principal College
19. Ambassador’s College
20. Institute of Human Resource Management Practitioners- Ghana
21. Organizational Development Centre
22. Organizational Capacity Improvement Consultants -Ghana
 Educational requirements for practice of
I/O psychology in Ghana
• Need at least a master’s degree to practise I/O and in
some countries (South Africa, US. UK, etc) a license
• In Ghana, no licensing is required for practice
• Two types of Graduate programmes exist
– Master’s programmes
• Coursework, thesis, practicum (6 months)
• Two years
• Master’s level I/O psychologists tend to practise I/O
• Takes an average 2 years, 8 months to complete in Ghana
– Doctoral programmes
• Dissertation
• Three years after master’s (5 years)
• Doctoral level I/O psychologists tend to teach and research
The Premier I/O Graduate Programme at the Depart. of
Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon
Core Courses Main I/O courses
• Research Methods • Personnel Psychology
• Statistics and Data Analysis • Accident and Safety at Work
• Psychometrics • Organizational Behaviour
• Contemporary Issues in Social • Organizational Theory
Psychology • Human Relations in Organizations
• Social Psychology of Gender • Contemporary Issues in I/O
• Systems and Theories of Psychology
Psychology • Consumer Behaviour*
• Ergonomics*

*Courses not usually taught

 Universities in Ghana that offer
undergraduate level course in I/O
1. University of Ghana
2. University of Applied Management (BA Business
Psychology with I/O concentration)
3. University of Cape Coast (Business School &
Psychology Department)
4. Regent University College of Science & Technology
5. Methodist University College
6. University College of Management Studies
7. Data Link Institute (Organisational psychology)
 Prospects for I/O Field in Ghana
• Rapidly growing
– New areas/topics
– Attracting more graduate students
– More graduate programs (Online and Distance
education opportunities)
– More psychologists in the world
• Job market picking up: Academic and applied
• According to the coordinator for internship
programmes at Top Talent Resources Ghana Ltd.,
many HR managers prefer to hire psychology
graduates in HR departments to hiring HRM
graduates
Trend of I/O Student Enrollment at
University of Ghana, Legon*
Academic Number of Percentage
Year Students Increase
2006/2007 5 --
2007/2008 6 20.00%
2008/2009 8 33.33%
2009/2010 15 87.50%

*This excludes student enrollment in MPhil HRM at the University of

Ghana Business School
Prospects for I/O Field in Ghana – Cont’d.
• A growing number of HR/Management
consulting firms beginning to hire master’s
level I/O psychologists in Ghana
• We still have a long way to go convincing
non-I/O practitioners our value to
organizations in Ghana
– Still need branding
– Need a vibrant I/O association in Ghana like SIOP or
SIOP-SA
– Review of I/O curriculum to reflect current global
trends
 Additional Knowledge and Skills I/O
practitioners should Develop*
• Presentation skills
• ICT skills
• Advanced research skills
• Advanced data analysis skills
• Deep knowledge of the area of concentration or
interest
• Marketing Skills
– Self-presentation
– Branding
– Persuasive communication
*List is based on personal experience and oral literature
 Ghana Institute of Industrial and
Organisational Psychology (GIIOP)
• Purpose
– To serve as an umbrella organisation for I/O practitioners in
Ghana
– To advance the interests of I/O practitioners in Ghana and
West Africa
– To introduce licensing examinations
– To support continuing professional development activities of
I/O practitioners
– To provide social support to members in following the areas:
• Job alerts for job-seekers
• Conduct of research
• Access to timely information
 GIIOP
• Membership is open to
– I/O and social psychologists
– MA/PhD (OD) holders; MPhil/MBA/PhD (HRM)
holders
– MA/PhD (Adult Education) holders
– Interested BA/BSc Psychology holders;
BA/BSc/BBA (HRM)holders
– Continuing BA/BSc Psychology students
• For more information about GIIOP contact
– Patrick Asiamah (coordinator) on 0244968407 or
0271048971 or via pak4gh@yahoo.com
Thank You
Oppon.seth@gmail.com