Short Course

Short Course

GETSPA short course on advancing Africa’s development through transformative and gender equitable social policies

a. Background

The Gender Equitable and Transformative Social Policy for Africa (GETSPA) Project, hosted at the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana, and funded by the Open Society Foundations, is a pan-African research, documentation, capacity-building, advocacy and networking project focused on investigating the trajectories, processes, and outcomes of social policymaking in Africa. The goal of GETSPA is to transform the discourses, approaches and cultures of social policymaking and implementation to establish a gender equitable and transformative social policy approaches in Africa.

The GETSPA short course on advancing Africa’s development through transformative and gender equitable social policies, is part of the project’s capacity-building initiative and is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, analytical and advocacy skills to advance transformative and gender-equitable social policy in Africa. 

The course has six modules:

  1. introducing Social Policy
  2. a Brief History of Social Policy in Africa
  3. the nexus between economic and social policy
  4. financing social policy
  5. gender equitable social policies
  6. social policy and nation-building

b. Why Apply?

The Short Course provides:

  • rigorous grounding in transformative and gender equitable social policy
  • engagement with leading African scholars of social policy
  • practical tools for policy engagement and advocacy
  • a platform for cross-regional networking
  • opportunity to contribute to reshaping Africa’s development trajectory

 

c. Course Objectives

The GETSPA Short Course aims to:

  1. advance knowledge on key issues on transformative and gender equitable social policy in Africa
  2. strengthen capacity to engage with policymaking to advance transformative and gender-equitable policies in Africa
  3. promote critical scholarship beyond narrow social protection frameworks towards transformational approaches to social policy.

d. Mode of Delivery

  • Online (virtual delivery only)
  • 6 Modules over 6 weeks (one module per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays). 
  • 4 contact hours per module (2 sessions of 2 hours each)

 

e. Target Audience

Applications are encouraged from:

  • researchers and academics
  • staff of CSOs and NGOs
  • post-graduate students
  • policy makers, staff of social and economic policy-related government agencies, and of other related organisations
  • professionals in the private sector with interest in social policy

 

f. Eligibility criteria

Prospective applicants should be Africans who:

  • possess a minimum of a master's degree (students pursuing a master's degree may be considered)
  • demonstrate interest in social policy, gender, development, or related fields
  • can commit to attend all the modules

 

g. Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

  1. a recent CV (maximum 3 pages)
  2. a 500-word statement of interest
  3. one academic or professional reference 

h. Funding the Course

Participation is fully funded. Applicants are however required to ensure that they have access to stable internet and suitable devices for online participation.

i. How to Apply 

Click on this link to apply

 

j. Application deadline and timelines

  • Application deadline: Monday, 23rd March 2026
  • Feedback to Applicants: Thursday, 2nd April 2026. Only admitted applicants will be contacted.
  • Orientation: Friday, 17th April 2026
  • Course Commencement: Tuesday, 21st April 2026

 

Contact Information

GETSPA Secretariat 
Institute of African Studies                      
College of Humanities 
University of Ghana 
ro.getspa.ias@ug.edu.gh  
getspa.ias@ug.edu.gh