My name is Joseph Antwi Baafi, born on April 6th, 1983. I am currently a Senior Lecturer at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development. I have a strong academic background and a diverse range of professional experiences that have shaped my career in economics and education. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, which I completed in June 2017. Prior to this, I earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Sodertorns University in Sweden and a Bachelor of Arts Honors in Economics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Additionally, I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the University of Education, Winneba.

My professional journey began as a Teaching Assistant at the Department of Economics, KNUST, where I organized tutorials and assisted with lectures and research. Following this, I gained practical industry experience as an Operations Manager at Wadoma Royale Hotel and a Marketing Executive at Jet FM Company. These roles provided me with valuable insights into the business world and honed my skills in management and marketing. My passion for teaching led me to academia, where I served as a Lecturer at Christ Apostolic University College and Garden City University College before joining Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development as a Senior Lecturer.

My research interests lie at the intersection of economics, finance, and education. I focus on investigating the dynamics between international trade, institutional quality, and economic growth, particularly in the context of developing regions such as ECOWAS. Additionally, I explore the implications of digital transformation and artificial intelligence on economic models like the Pollution Haven Hypothesis and their broader impact on sustainability. My work also involves analyzing governance frameworks and their effect on financial stability within the banking sector, with a specific focus on universal banking in Ghana. Furthermore, I study the resource curse hypothesis and the role of natural resources in shaping economic outcomes, with a spotlight on oil exploration in Ghana. In the field of educational economics, I assess the economic impact of educational models, particularly distance education, and its role in mitigating challenges posed by global crises like COVID-19.

Throughout my career, I have published extensively on these topics, contributing to journals such as the Journal of Electronic Business & Digital Economics and Economies: MDPI Journals. My work aims to provide insights into how economic theories can inform practical solutions to contemporary challenges. I am committed to fostering an enriching learning environment, engaging in influential research projects, and actively participating in institutional and community service. My career objective is to apply my extensive background as a Senior Lecturer and Ph.D. holder in Economics to drive impactful research, provide high-quality education, and offer valuable economic consulting services. I aspire to contribute expertise in diverse disciplines such as Finance, Education, and Accounting, with a focus on addressing contemporary economic challenges.

Academic Qualifications

• • Ph.D. Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Aug 2013 to June 2017
  • Masters in Economics (MSc), Sodertorns University, Sweden, Aug 2009 – June 2010
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (PGDTLHE), University of Education, Winneba, July 2018 – July 2019
  • Bachelor of Arts Honors (Economics), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Aug 2003 – June 2007
  • Senior Secondary School Certificate, Kumasi High Secondary School, Sept 1999- Aug 2002
  • CBT Certificate of Competency (External Verification), Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, September 2022
  • CBT Certificate of Competency (CBT Facilitation, Assessment and Internal Verification), Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, September 2022

Teaching Interests

• • Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
  • Quantitative Modeling in Finance
  • Managerial Economics
  • Financial Econometrics
  • Financial Derivatives
  • International Business Operations
  • Business Research Methods
  • Public Finance
  • Elements of Economics
  • Mathematics for Economist

Research Interests and Supervision

• • A short summary of your research interests and areas you would like to supervise master’s and Doctoral students. My research interests focus on the interplay between economics, finance, and education. I am particularly interested in exploring the dynamics of international trade and economic growth, especially within developing regions such as ECOWAS. I also investigate the implications of digital transformation and automation, including the impact of AI on economic models like the Pollution Haven Hypothesis.My work delves into financial stability and governance, examining how governance frameworks affect the banking sector’s stability, particularly in Ghana. I also study the resource curse hypothesis, analyzing how natural resources, especially oil, influence economic growth in Ghana. In educational economics, I assess the impact of distance education models on mitigating global challenges like COVID-19.I am keen to supervise master’s and doctoral students in areas related to economic growth, international trade, digital transformation, financial stability, governance in the banking sector, resource economics, and educational economics. My goal is to guide students in conducting impactful research that addresses contemporary economic challenges and contributes to the development of practical solutions.

Selected Publications

• • Seyram Kumah, P. and Baafi, J.A. (2024), Spillover effects among cryptocurrencies in a pandemic: a time frequency approach, Journal of Electronic Business & Digital Economics,  https://doi.org/10.1108/JEBDE-08-2024-0027
  • Baafi, J. A. ., Acheampong, K. ., & Sarkodie, E. E. . (2024). The triangular nexus of trade, institutional quality and economic growth in China-ECOWAS and US-ECOWAS relations. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 8(6), 671–693. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2139
  • Baafi, J. A. ., Asiedu, M. K. ., & Kumah , P. S. . (2024). Digitalization and Automation and AI: A Theoretical Framework of rethinking the Pollution Haven Hypothesis. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(6), 1781–1798. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i6.4138
  • Baafi, J.A.  Navigating prosperity: the impact of seaport efficiency on economic growth in Ghana’s maritime landscape, Marine Economics and Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MAEM-12-2023-0011
  • Baafi, J.A. Unraveling Ghana’s Resource Curse Hypothesis: Analyzing Natural Resources and Economic Growth with a Focus on Oil Exploration. Economies: MDPI Journals 12, 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12040079
  • Baafi, J.A.; Sarkodie, E.E.; Duodu, J.K.; Kumah, S.P. Why Should We Pay Attention to Working Capital Management? A Case of Ghana., Businesses: MDPI Journals, 4, 78-95. https://doi.org/10.3390/businesses4010006
  • Owusu, O. E., Baafi, A. J., & Agyei, D. P. (2024). Enhancing Financial Stability in Ghana’s Universal Banking Sector: A Governance Perspective and Practical Insights. Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 9(1), 1-21
  • Baafi A. J., Portia, A. D., & Esther, S. (2024). Digital Transformation and Corruption Dynamics in Ghana’s Retail Economy: An Economic Analysis of Technological Adoption and Ethical Business Practices. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 24(1), 97-113
  • Baafi A, J., Salifu, I., & Sarkodie, E. (2022). Predicting Bankruptcy of Companies: Evidence From Ghanaian Listed Banks. International Journal of Finance, 7(2), 56-86.
  • Baafi, A. J., & Sarkodie, E. E. (2022). The Nexus Between Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing and Risk: A Case of Ghana Stock Exchange. Archives of Business Research, 10(05). 140-152. doi:10.14738/abr.105.12350.
  • Kofi, N. A., Baafi, J. A. ., & Sarkodie, E. E. . (2022), The Determinants of Mergers and Acquisitions in Ghana, American Journal of Economics, 6(2), 37 – 57. https://doi.org/10.47672/aje.1032
  • Addai I., Baafi A. J., Sarkodie E. E., (2020), Examining Household Heads Annual Gender Earnings Gap Using The Ghana Living Standards Survey Round Seven: A Median Regression Approach, Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, Volume 9 ~ Issue 2 (2021)pp: 59-64
  • Baafi, J. A., Duodu, J. K., Sarkodie, E. E., & Boachie, W. K. (2020), Examining the Economic Interaction between Liquidity and Firms’ Financial Performance: Evidence from the Ghana Stock Exchange, Journal of Economics, Management and Trade, 26(10), 34-46. https://doi.org/10.9734/jemt/2020/v26i1030296
  • Baafi A. J, Owusu E, Sarkodie E, Boachie W. K, (2019), Credit Risk Management of Savings and Loans Companies in Ghana, The International Journal of Business and Management, Vol 7 Issue 10, ISSN 2321–8916, doi No.: 10.24940/theijbm/2019/v7/i10/
  • Baafi A. J., (2019), What does a Comparison between Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan Tell about the Cognition and Institutions as Social Capital in the Extended Market Order? International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Volume 8 Issue 1, 941 – 948
  • Mensah O. F, Baafi A. J., Arthur Y. D, Somuah O. C, Mprah R., (2019), Campus security and safety models: Statistical empirical analysis from a Ghanaian tertiary institution, Journal of Education and Practice, Vol 10 N0. 12, pages 44-51
  • Baafi, A. J., Sarkodie, E., & Boachie, W. (2019). An Extension of Capital Based Macroeconomic Model and 100 Percent Reserve System, the Free Banking System and BFH System: A Comparison among Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Journal of Economics, Management, and Trade, 25(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.9734/jemt/2019/v25i130184
  • Duodu, J. K., Antwi, J., & Baafi, J. A. (2019), Increasing Market Rewards for Sustainability: A Case of Private Nursing and Midwifery Colleges in Ghana. Journal of Economics, Management, and Trade, 25(4), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.9734/jemt/2019/v25i430203
  • Baafi A. J., (2018), Is Ghana Catching up with Her Colonial Master? A Time Series Analysis into Speed of Convergence Between Ghana and UK, International Journal of Africa and Asian Studies, Vol 49,
  • Baafi A. J., (2018), Analysis of Income Convergence between Sub-Sahara Africa and High Income Economies: Role of the Components of Trade, Developing Country Studies, Vol 8 No. 5
  • Baafi, A. J., (2017), Analysis of Economic Growth and Kuznets Hypothesis: Testing for Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa, Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, Vol 8, No 4
  • Baafi A J. (2010). Ghana’s Economic Growth in Perspective: A time series approach to Convergence and Determinants, Diva-Portal