Mark Senanu Kudzordzi

PhD Student, Department of Forest Economics
Mark Senanu Kudzordzi is an economics researcher specializing in the intersection of climate change, value chains, and wellbeing in West Africa. His work focuses on the impacts of drought and environmental shocks on cocoa value chains, with special attention to off-farm actors, behavioural resilience, gender, and poverty dynamics. By combining quantitative and qualitative methods, he explores multidimensional wellbeing, adaptation strategies, and policy interventions to strengthen resilience among vulnerable groups. His research contributes to climate resilience, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development in agricultural systems.

Presentation

Mark Senanu is dedicated to understanding how climate change, particularly drought, shapes the wellbeing of communities connected to cocoa value chains in West Africa. His research bridges economics, social sciences, and development studies, with a strong focus on vulnerable groups beyond the farm, including women and informal workers. Mark’s approach combines data-driven analysis with fieldwork and community engagement, aiming to develop practical solutions for real-world challenges. He is passionate about generating knowledge that informs policy and improves livelihoods, especially in the face of environmental risks. Mark values collaboration, interdisciplinary thinking, and research that makes a tangible difference for people on the ground.

Research

Mark Senanu’s research centers on the social and economic impacts of climate change in West Africa, with a focus on cocoa value chains in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. He leads projects that examine how drought affects the livelihoods and wellbeing of off-farm actors, such as traders, processors, and transport workers, who are often overlooked in agricultural research. Mark’s work reveals how climate shocks ripple beyond farms, impacting food security, income, mental health, and community resilience.

Learn more about current and past projects:

Project: Climate Impacts on Cocoa Value Chains