Course Modules
Dates: 21st & 23rd April 2026
Facilitators: Prof. Michael Kpessa-Whyte & Prof. Ramola Ramtohul
Introducing Social Policy is a dynamic module in GETSPA’s short courses. It explores basic concepts and ideational foundations that filter how public policy decisions shape opportunity, equality, and well-being in society. Learners will analyze the powerful ideas, debates, and real-world policies that influence education, health, employment, housing, agrarian reforms, and social justice across communities. They will gain essential insights into how governments, markets, and citizens shape the social landscape—and learn to think critically about the systems that affect everyday life. If you care about fairness, development, and the future of society, this module is your starting point.
Dates: 28th & 30th April 2026
Facilitator: Prof. Nana Akua Anyidoho
This module surveys the evolution of social policymaking in Africa from the pre-colonial period to the post-Covid-19 era. It demonstrates how changing ideological assumptions about development, citizenship, and the role of the state have shaped the framing of social policy across historical moments - pre-colonial, late colonial, nationalist/post-independence, crisis era, era of liberalization, and post-Covid. This historical perspective allows us to assess the extent to which approaches to social policy have persisted or changed over time, and to reflect on what remains to be done to realize genuinely transformative social policy in Africa.
Dates: 5th & 7th May 2026
Facilitators: Mr. Charles Abugre & Dr. Emmanuel Codjoe
This module explores the interconnections between macroeconomic policy and social policy outcomes, highlighting the need for synergy between economic governance and inclusive social development strategies.
Dates: 12th & 14th May 2026
Facilitators: Prof. Kate Meagher & Mr. Tetteh Hormeku-Ajei
This module critically examines financing models for social policy in Africa, including taxation, public expenditure, global financial systems, and fiscal justice debates.
Dates: 19th and 21st May 2026
Facilitators: Prof. Dzodzi Tsikata, Dr. Marion Ouma & Dr. Faustina Obeng Adomaa
This module examines the gendered histories of social policy making from the period of developmentalism in Africa to the current period of liberalization and financialization of social policy; highlights and critiques the assumptions, norms, principles, instruments and institutions of gender equitable social policy; and (re)imagines the principles, key elements and contours of a gender equitable and transformative social policy agenda for Africa. The course equips participants with the knowledge and analytical tools to critically examine how gender equity can become an integral aspect of transformative social policy.
Dates: 26th & 28th May 2026
Facilitators: Prof. Jimi Adesina & Prof. Rosina Foli
This module explores how social policy functions as a strategic tool for nation building in Africa. In this module, the multi-functional nature of social policy is emphasized, as we examine one of its main roles, that is nation building. It examines historical legacies, contemporary reforms, and the political dynamics that shape social policy across diverse African contexts. Using comparative case studies of selected African countries (including Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Senegal, Tanzania, etc) the module highlights how social policy can foster national identity, social cohesion, and inclusive development.