Meet the Capture Your Research Contest Winner - Christian Opoku-Kwarteng

During each AuthorAID MOOC, participants submit their photos for our Capture Your Research Contest. After the 'Getting Started with Writing and Publishing Your Research MOOC earlier in the year', the Top 10 entries were shortlisted, with the AuthorAID community then voting for winner.

We are pleased to announce Christian Opoku-Kwarteng, from Ghana, as the winner! Below is his winning photo: 

We recently met with Christian, on a Zoom call, to learn about his research, career, the story behind his winning photo, and his involvement with AuthorAID.

 

Could you tell us where you are based, your field of work, and a bit about your career path so far?

My name is Christian Opoku-Kwarteng, an Assistant Research Scientist with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, in Kumasi (CSIR-FORIG). I am in the Forest and Climate Change Division, and a member of the Entomology team as well as the Schools’ Outreach and Environmental Sensitisation team. CSIR-FORIG is one of the 13 Institutes under the CSIR in Ghana. We undertake demand driven research in forestry related issues. This includes forest entomology, biodiversity conservation, climate change, agroforestry, land reclamation and restoration, resource management, sustainable agroforestry, and capacity building initiatives aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of forest fringe communities and Ghanaians as a whole. The technologies developed by forestry researchers advance the socio-economic status of Ghanaians and national development. Back to my career path – I graduated from KNUST, that is Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana in 2009. I specialised in Agroforestry, with the title of my research being evaluation of Jatropha curcas germplasm from ten provenances in the Central Region of Ghana. National service is mandatory in Ghana. Hence, I was posted to CSIR-FORIG for one year. I was privileged to be employed as a teacher in CSIR Basic School afterwards, and then rose through the ranks to become the Assistant Head Teacher. My core duties were to teach mathematics and science. Thankfully, I also had the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree programme, whilst teaching at the school. I successfully graduated in 2014 with an MSc in Environmental Science from KNUST. The title of my research work was the influence of termites, other fauna, and some climatic factors on decomposition in a moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. I was also encouraged to purse a Diploma in Education, which I graduated from in 2017. The title of my research work was a guide for teaching first year mathematics in junior high schools. I had the opportunity to join the research team at CSIR-FORIG as a Principal Technologist and Officer-In-Charge of the Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary Research Centre in 2018. Since then, I’ve been working as a team leader on a number of research projects, notably ‘unravelling the role of animals in African soils ecology' codenamed SOFIA. I am currently working on this and using part of the data for my PhD study.

 

Could you tell us the story behind your winning photo?

It started in 2020, when the management of CSIR-FORIG considered a corporate social responsibility initiative for the fringe communities around the Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary, to enhance their livelihoods, whilst safeguarding the integrity of the Bobiri Forest. The communities are engaged in helping us protect and conserve the Bobiri Forest. The initiative includes beekeeping, and the locals expressed so much interest in that, so we rolled out a training programme for them. The training was carried out in March 2020, with logistical and technical support from CSIR-FORIG. To support them to overcome the challenges encountered. By identifying the problems that come up, then map out technologies and interventions to address them. This particular picture that won the contest was taken during one of our many harvesting and monitoring sessions. We realised that some of the colonies were so healthy and strong, others were not. So, this picture was a model picture of what the strong and healthy colonies can do.

 

Have you been involved in other research or projects since?

Yes, I have been involved in a lot of research projects, but not as the principal investigator. But, for the community assemblages of ants in leaf litter along the eco-climatic gradient in Ghana, I’m privileged to have a leading role because it is for my PhD. I have been and am involved in several other consultancies, for example, the Biodiversity Baseline Review and Management Plan Development for Anglo Gold Ashanti Ghana (AGAG) Mines, Obuasi. To survey biodiversity in the mining concession area to evaluate the current biodiversity status and develop a new biodiversity management plan for AGAG. I was also privileged to be part of the entomology team that trained the Emergency Response Team and Environmental Officers of the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Ahafo North Mines. There was another study to assess above ground and below ground carbon stocks in forest reserves. We have also conducted a butterfly diversity assessment in the Bobiri Forest Reserve, but that was in support of postgraduate and undergraduate students’ research work. 

 

How do you hope your research will impact your community?

With reference to my PhD study, the aim is to establish a baseline of ant community assemblages and curate a collection of ants. To foster biodiversity conservation by monitoring ecosystem health and stability. By establishing biodiversity monitoring sites along the eco-climatic gradient in Ghana, from the Sudan savannah to the wet evergreen ecological zone. This can be used to inform land restoration or reclamation programmes. Mining in Ghana is a very lucrative venture, employing a lot of people, but it has an impact on the environment, public health and the community as a whole. So, our research is geared towards enhancing the livelihoods of the locals in the communities where we work, or where activities are impacting their livelihoods. Local communities depend on the natural resources for their livelihood. However, a delicate balance must be established alongside economic production. So, our studies and research work seek to always establish that balance of nature, livelihood enhancement, and national development.

 

Can you tell us about a success and a challenge you’ve encountered throughout your career?

I have had many successes and milestones. The programmes I have successfully graduated from, consultancies and projects that were successfully completed (see example list at bottom of article). In terms of challenges, I must say, resource constraints and technical competence have been the issues, but, thankfully, there have been ways around it. For instance, AuthorAID has provided a unique learning platform for me to learn how to write proposals, apply for grants, analyse my data, and publish findings. AuthorAID has provided links to other capacity strengthening avenues that are being explored. I must say that I’ve progressed beyond the level that I was at five years ago. Funding is a major hurdle for initiatives in the Global South. Logistical and financial constraints pose a major challenge, but we work with the resources available.

For instance, AuthorAID has provided a unique learning platform for me to learn how to write proposals, apply for grants, analyse my data, and publish findings

 

From your experience of authoring research articles, can you share any insights for early career researchers?

Usually, I contribute to the data collection, entry and analysis. That is how I have co-authored on a number of articles. When I have been the lead author, those articles have been outputs of my master’s research work, for example. I would encourage early career researchers to always read widely in their area of interest or specialty. I am in entomology, but entomology is very broad. If you read the top-quality articles from the past few years, you will get to know the conversation and the current research, helping you to identify research gaps and problems. They may be applicable to your local setting, and you can then recommend or design research work to solve those problems. The literature review stands out and there are so many articles to read. I got to know about AuthorAID’s journal clubs, so I have discussed with my colleagues at the university to establish a journal club, where postgraduates can have the opportunity to read and discuss articles. It is a good opportunity to broaden horizons, know what others are doing, understand interdisciplinary ways of connecting, to address pressing issues. I would recommend that early career researchers join or form a journal club, if possible.

 

In your blog post about World Bee Day in May 2024, you wrote about being ‘a member of the schools’ outreach and environmental sensitisation team’. You’ve spoken to many visitors to the Bobiri Forest, and at schools and churches. Please tell us about why this is important? Would you encourage readers to engage in outreach activities?

I would encourage researchers to engage in outreach activities, that target both the young and the old. The younger generation are very receptive to new ideas, and they will be stewards of this planet for a longer time. The older generation should not be left out – they have the decision-making power, the influence, and the resources to implement decisions. We need to manage and conserve the earth, so that the younger and future generations are not deprived of a means to sustain their livelihoods. It is important to carry out this environmental education and outreach campaigns, because there are lot of human induced disasters. Let me start with Ghana – illegal and unsustainable gold mining practices have caused extensive environmental degradation in recent years. These have resulted in an environmental crisis evidenced by contamination of ecologically sensitive ecosystems such as major water bodies, degraded natural forests, cocoa and agricultural lands with dire consequences on public health, food quality and biodiversity. Secondly, until recently we did not have a lot of flooding events but now, it’s a perennial event. We must take good care of our environment and conserve our forests, because they are carbon sinks, wildlife habitats, they conserve soil fertility and protect wetlands, watersheds, ground water, etc. Building in waterways, cutting down trees rampantly, illegal mining etc., all end up worsening the frequency and magnitude of flood events. There are now issues of drought and erratic rainfall too. Of course, climate change is a global phenomenon, but in our local setting, we believe that attitudinal change is a way to either mitigate its effects or adapt to these changes. These among other reasons justify climate change and environmental education.

 

Can you tell us how you became involved in writing the National Conservation Action Plan for Ghana’s threatened tree species?

The whole idea started with Botanic Gardens Conservation International that is based in the UK, but has a global outreach. They partnered with myself and a team of conservation biologists in CSIR-FORIG to conserve the Aubregrinia taiensis tree species in 2019, which is a critically endangered species. Subsequently, it proceeded to include Tarenna agnata and Aeglopsis mangenotii. With funding from the Franklinia Foundation, the scope was extended to the thirty-nine endangered tree species in Ghana. After a workshop that was hosted at the CSIR-FORIG in 2022, which involved key stakeholders and actors in conservation and forest management in Ghana. The conservation action plan was an output of the five-day workshop. The director of the Franklinia Foundation and the top-level management of conservation agencies such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Conservation Planning Specialists Group, Species Survival Commission, Global Tree Specialist Group, were present. He explained one of the reasons for coming together was that they receive applications from various key actors in Ghana for conservation programmes. So, why don’t we all come together to make it work. That is how it started. We have made good progress. In due course, publications and outcomes will be shared with the AuthorAID community. 

 

Do you use AI in your research? If so, how? What has your experience been?

I have used AI, but not much. Basically, I use Grammarly to check errors, summarise, and paraphrase writing. Also, I find the complementary role of AI to data analysis tools and software such as R and Statistix useful. However, I don’t use AI extensively.

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of your work?

I find as a divine calling for me to guide the younger generation to avoid the mistakes I made whilst growing up, in order to become responsible citizens and successful in their academics, social and moral life as well as their relationship with God. I am the District Secretary and an Executive leader of the Children’s Ministry in the Church of Pentecost International Worship Centre, Asokwa-Kumasi and a National Coordinator for the Jethro Initiative. Besides this, I enjoy playing chess and table tennis as well as watching football. Reading also comes naturally as a scholar. Beekeeping is a hobby because of my background and expertise. I am the honeybee person here!

 

What specifically about AuthorAID’s training courses helped you to improve your skills, and ability to secure funds?

One that really stood out was the grant proposal writing course, because I sought such an opportunity earlier but in vain. These things are not taught in the university lecture room. It was a game changer for me. Through that, I was successful in securing grants for my research work at the University. I was one of two PhD candidates from the College of Science at KNUST to win that award in 2024. The amount involved is not huge, but it is so very helpful as a starting point to launch further to secure larger funding. The most recent is the funding secured by a team of CSIR scientists and collaborators for the “Engaging Local Communities in Endangered Trees and Minor Crops Utilisation for Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Enrichment” project, code-named “EMBRACE”. Therefore, I am grateful to AuthorAID for enhancing my capacity, through the free massive open online courses (MOOCS). Secondly, the writing and publishing your scientific research article course was another unique learning opportunity. I must add that through these trainings I secured other scholarships for similar trainings that were residential – one held in Tanzania, organized by the African Forest Forum and others in Ghana. Thanks to AuthorAID, once again.

 

If you could give early career researchers like yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

I would encourage them to always look at the links to external resources provided through AuthorAID training programmes. Because I was introduced to EdX and Coursera. I learned data analysis using R in detail. So, the privilege of being enlightened to other learning materials, we should all take advantage of it for further capacity enhancement. Some of these training programmes are not facilitated, so you can learn at your own pace. The wealth of knowledge is so vast and rich, and I advise early career researchers to take advantage of this, to enhance their capacity and become better in their fields of specialisation.

 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

In conclusion I would encourage early career researchers to make it a lifelong learning process. Of course, learning never ends. You have the opportunity through AuthorAID and other learning platforms; take good advantage of it. For me, data analysis is a focus now, and I encourage all scientists to learn how to analyse their own data. You’ll be able to interpret it with confidence and then build upon it for publication, presentation in conferences, and all the opportunities that come afterwards. Thanks so much for the opportunity to share my story.

 

We really enjoyed speaking with Christian, and thank him for his time. We wish Christian all the best in his future endeavours and studies!

Thank you to the AuthorAID community for voting in this Capture Your Research Contest, and we look forward to sharing the next one with you!

Keep an eye on this page https://www.authoraid.info/en/e-learning/ for upcoming courses, or participate in one of our self-study courses.

 

If you would like to connect with Christian, he has provided various channels for you to do so:

Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2536-0083

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christian-Opoku-Kwarteng 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christian-opoku-kwarteng-245492299

https://www.csir-forig.org.gh/senior-members-profiles/328-christian-opoku-kwarteng

 

 

List of Publications:

1. Refereed Journal Papers

1. Mireku Asomaning, J., Amponsah, J. O., Peprah, T., Owusu, S., Opoku-Kwarteng, C., & Aninagyei Ofori, D.  (2020). Accelerated ageing tests of Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild. & T. Durand) Merrill seeds: evaluating seed vigour from different forest provenances to aid plus-trees selection in Ghana. Research Journal of Seed Science, 13, 1-8. DOI: 10.3923/rjss.2020.1.8
2. Opoku-Kwarteng, C., & Tagoe, E.N.A. (2021). "The Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary – A home of colour and beauty". Journal of Indigenous and Shamanic Studies, 2, 1-7. DOI: 10.35699/1983-3652

2. Thesis (list …. Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral thesis, etc)

1. Master’s Thesis (2014): The role of termites and other fauna in ecosystem processes in a moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. KNUST, College of Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology.
2. Bachelor of Science Thesis (2009): Evaluation of Jatropha curcas germplasm from ten provenances in the Central Region of Ghana. KNUST, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Department of Agroforestry.
3. Diploma in Education Thesis (2017): A guide for teaching first year Mathematics in the Junior High Schools. University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. College of Technology Education, Kumasi. Department of Interdisciplinary Studies.

3. Edited conference papers

Opoku-Kwarteng, C., Adu-Bredu, S., Obiri Danso, K., Djagbletey, G.D., Frimpong-Anin, K., Duah-Gyamfi, A., Addo-Danso, S.D., & Malhi, Y. (2023). Drivers of wood decomposition rates in a tropical moist forest in Ghana. In F. Sarpong (Ed.), Diversification of agricultural systems-the role of tree crops in harnessing Ghana’s economic potential: CSIR RSA 34th Annual General Meeting and 5th scientific conference Book of Abstracts (p 47).

4. Technical reports

a). Vinceti, B., Obiri-Darko, B., Dompreh, D., Foli, E.G., Vié, J., Mireku-Asomaning, J., Oduro, K.A., Damnyag, L., Amisah, L., Ansong, M., Hawthorne, H., Gakpetor, P.M., Mbawine, J.S., Cayre, N., Hamza, A., Aduah, A.K., Eshun, B., Manu, B.A., Opoku-Kwarteng, C., Potgieter, C., Kpelle, D.G., Kwarteng, D., Owusu, E.O., Osei-Gyan, F., Amponsah, J., Kankam, J., Mensah, J.C., Afum-Baffoe, K., Kubi, K.A., Boafo, K., Hasinger, O., Boasiako, P.A., Nelson, S.N., Agyei-Boachie, S.Y., Asase, A., Ofori, D.A., Opuni-Frimpong, E., Ameka, G., Bosu, P.P., Abugre, S., Adu-Bredu, S. (2023). Planning conservation action for Ghana’s threatened tree species Workshop report. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. https://www.bgci.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PCAGhanaMedRes.pdf

b.) b). Opuni-Frimpong, E., Mensah, J.K., Appiah, N., Obeng, A.A., Opoku-Kwarteng, C., Sarfo, K.B. and Donkor, J. (2024). Bee Emergency Response Training for Newmont Ahafo North Ghana Gold Limited Emergency Response Team and Environmental Officers.

5. Training manual 

Djagbletey, G.D., Guuroh, R.T., Addo-Danso, S.D., Duah-Gyami, A., Ametsitsi, G.D.K., Opoku, A.D., Okyere-Agyapong, E., Opoku-Kwarteng, C., Gakpetor, P.M., Owusu-Asante, J.O., Asamoah, A.-G., Twintoh, J.J., Amponsah, J., Ebo-Nadel, J., Gati, M., Minkah, E., Nikoi, M. E., & Foli, E.G. (2021). A training manual for schools’ environmental education and outreach programme. CSIR-FORIG Kumasi, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9988-3-3782-7

6. Brochure

Djagbletey, G.D., Guuroh, R.T., Addo-Danso, S.D., Duah-Gyami, A., Ametsitsi, G.D.K., Opoku, A.D., Okyere-Agyapong, E., Opoku-Kwarteng, C., Gakpetor, P.M., Owusu-Asante, J.O., Asamoah, A.-G., Twintoh, J.J., Amponsah, J., Ebo-Nadel, J., Gati, M., Minkah, E., Nikoi, M. E., & Foli, E.G. (2021). Creating awareness among Schools and Communities on Climate Change through Sensitization Campaigns. CSIR-FORIG Kumasi, Ghana.

7. Media publication

Media coverage of CSIR-FORIG/ Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary Research Centre for documentaries by Ghana Television. https://youtu.be/jLfn8Ac1mHk.