The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has announced the appointment of Professor Robert Darko Osei as its new Director, effective 1 August 2025.

He takes over from Prof Peter Quartey, who held the position for six years and oversaw a period of significant growth and transformation at the institute.

Prof Osei, a seasoned economist and longstanding member of ISSER’s faculty, has been deeply involved in research, teaching, and policy dialogue over the years.

Until July 2025, he served as the Dean of the University of Ghana’s School of Graduate Studies, having once served as the vice dean.

His academic portfolio includes numerous publications in leading international journals on economic development, as well as extensive project work across Ghana, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. He is also a member of the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

In addition, Prof Osei is the Country Director for the Ghana node of the African Centre of Excellence in Inequality Research (ACEIR), sits on several national and international boards, including Stanbic Bank Ghana, and co-chairs the Digital Agricultural Innovations and Services Initiative (DAISI), a joint programme of J-PAL (MIT, USA) and the Centre for Effective Global Action (UC Berkeley, USA).

He has previously served as a Director of the Ghana Statistical Service and was a member of the Presidential Fiscal Advisory Council between 2019 and 2021.

Accepting his new role, Professor Osei said: “It is a privilege to assume this position after the remarkable leadership of Prof Peter Quartey. I am committed to building on the strong foundation he has laid and to working closely with ISSER’s dedicated staff, research partners, and stakeholders to advance the Institute’s mission and deepen its impact.”

He is married with three children.

Meanwhile, ISSER has lauded the contributions of Prof Quartey, under whose stewardship the institute strengthened its reputation as a leader in economic and social research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

His tenure, from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2025, was marked by innovation, institutional expansion, and increased local and international engagement.