UEW, ASFI Equip Emerging Researchers with Scientific Writing and Publication Skills
The African Science Frontiers Initiative (ASFI), in collaboration with the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has organised a capacity-building seminar to strengthen the scientific writing, publication and research competencies of students and early-career researchers.
Held at the School of Creative Arts Conference Room on Thursday, 11th June, 2026, the seminar brought together academics, postgraduate students and researchers to explore strategies for producing impactful research, selecting appropriate journals and navigating the academic publication process.
Chairing the programme, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, praised ASFI for creating a platform that empowers young researchers and promotes diversity in scholarly engagement. He noted the remarkable transformation of the University's research landscape over the years, highlighting increased access to research resources, digital technologies and opportunities for academic collaboration.
Prof. Ofori-Birikorang commended the youthful leadership of ASFI and encouraged participants to embrace lifelong learning and innovation in research. He observed that initiatives such as the seminar were helping to demystify research and demonstrate that scholarly excellence is not confined to senior academics.
Prof. Kwasi Adomako represented Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor as the Guest Speaker. He underscored the importance of research in enhancing institutional reputation, driving innovation and informing national development. He urged staff and students to align their research with the University's research agenda and emerging national priorities, including opportunities expected through Ghana's National Research Fund.
According to him, universities gain global recognition through the quality and impact of their research outputs. He further encouraged participants to embrace collaborative research, noting that partnerships across institutions often produce stronger and more impactful findings.
The seminar featured presentations by Dr. Matilda Sarpong Adusei of the Department of Mathematics Education and Dr. Elizabeth Owusu Asiamah of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies.
Speaking on "The Art of Scientific Writing," Dr. Matilda Adusei emphasised that research achieves its full value only when its findings are effectively communicated. She urged researchers to cultivate consistent writing habits and adhere to the principles of precision, clarity and brevity in scholarly writing.
She also guided participants through the essential components of a scientific paper, stressing the importance of transparency, reproducibility and completeness in research reporting.
Delivering a presentation on "A Guide to Journal Selection and Manuscript Submission," Dr. Elizabeth Asiamah encouraged participants to view their theses and dissertations as potential publications rather than merely graduation requirements.
Dr. Elizabeth Asiamah addressed common fears associated with academic publishing including manuscript rejection and reviewer criticism. She assured participants that rejection is a normal part of scholarly publishing. She advised researchers to focus on continuous improvement, strategic journal selection and adherence to ethical publication practices.
Participants gained practical insights into manuscript preparation, journal selection, peer review processes and strategies for increasing the visibility and impact of their research.
The seminar formed part of ASFI's broader mission to build research capacity among emerging African scholars while supporting UEW's commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture, innovation and academic excellence.
