Promoting good governance and tackling corruption requires more than strong intentions; it demands solid, credible evidence. Recognising this, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), in partnership with The Democracy Project, with support from Hewlett Foundation, organised a two-day capacity-building workshop on Applied Research and Data Analysis from July 2–3, 2025. The workshop brought together state and non-state actors to enhance their skills in applied research and data analysis, enabling more effective and evidence-based advocacy.
At the heart of anti-corruption work is the ability to generate and use reliable data. Without strong research capacity, efforts to expose wrongdoing and influence policy often fall short. For GACC and its partners, research is not a one-time exercise but a continuous process of learning, documenting, and driving change. The workshop emphasised the importance of grounding advocacy efforts in context-specific, ethically collected data that reflects lived realities.
Mr. Fredrick Ebenezer Lokko, a Board member of GACC, in his opening remarks, emphasised the crucial role of research in governance and anti-corruption. He encouraged participants to fully engage, ask questions, and develop skills that can lead to a lasting impact.
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, Project Director of the Democracy Project, facilitated the training, introducing participants to the fundamentals of applied research from identifying the right issues to designing solid methodologies. Describing research as “disciplined creativity,” he guided participants in narrowing broad topics into clear, actionable research questions that define and structure the process.
Participants engaged in open discussions on the practical challenges of gathering honest data in environments where certain corrupt practices may be normalised. Questions such as “How do we collect honest data when respondents may be complicit?” highlighted the need for culturally sensitive yet rigorous approaches.
In working groups, participants designed mini-research projects on topics such as procurement transparency, citizen oversight, and conflict of interest. Each group developed a problem statement, formulated research questions and objectives, and outlined sampling and data collection strategies.
On Day 2, participants deepened their understanding of research design. Dr. Osae-Kwapong emphasised clarity and precision, advising teams to focus their studies on not more than five core questions. Each group presented a full research design and received targeted feedback to sharpen their approach.
Sessions also explored qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, along with sampling, data quality, and analysis techniques. A dedicated session on research ethics reinforced the values of confidentiality, informed consent, and integrity. “Ethics is not a checkbox,” Dr. Osae-Kwapong reminded participants. “It’s the foundation of credible, impactful research.”
By the end of the workshop, participants had strengthened their research skills, gained confidence, and developed a clearer understanding of how to use data to support advocacy and accountability. One participant aptly captured the workshop’s spirit: “Research shouldn’t be a once-a-year endeavour; it’s our daily laboratory for learning and impact.”
Delivering the closing remarks, Alhaji Muhammad Amir Kpakpo Addo, a Board member of GACC, reflected on the significance of the training. He noted that the fight against corruption requires the right tools, and the workshop had provided participants with practical research skills essential for effective advocacy and the promotion of good governance.
“We have explored how to ask the right questions, choose appropriate methods, collect and analyse data, and communicate findings in ways that drive change,” he said. “These are not just technical skills, they are tools for impact. I encourage everyone here to apply them with dedication in your respective organisations.”