Darku, Alexander
Faculty
- Phone
- (403) 329-2539
- alexander.darku@uleth.ca
Office Hours
Monday: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Wednesday: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PMAbout Me
Ph.D. Economics (2005), McGill University;
M.A. Economic Policy Management (1999), McGill University;
M.Phil. Economics (1995), University of Ghana;
BA (Honors) Economics (1992), University of Ghana;
Biography
I am an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Lethbridge. I am also an Associate Director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy. I received my B.A. (Honors) and M.Phil. in Economics in 1992 and 1995 respectively from University of Ghana. I hold an M. A. in Economic Policy Management (1999) and a Ph.D. in Economics (2005), both from McGill University. My areas of specialization are International Trade and Finance, and Economic Development. I teach courses in International Trade and Finance, Economic Development, Intermediate Macroeconomics and Advanced Macroeconomics at the Undergraduate level. At the Graduate level, I have been involved with Applied Econometrics, Advanced Macroeconomics and Advanced Trade Theory. I have taught at the University of Lethbridge from 2006 to date. Prior to that, I was Assistant Professor at the Concordia University from 2004 to 2006 and a Faculty Lecturer at McGill University from 2001 to 2006. Apart from my teaching experience, I have served as an Economist/Consultant to the World Bank from 1998 to 2002. From 1995 to 1997, I worked as an Economist/Consultant to Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), Accra, Ghana.
My research work is mainly focused on two broad themes. The first is how international trade affects economic growth and income distribution in the developing world. The second focus is on the role of international capital flow and exchange rate in the determination of current account balances and economic development in developing countries.
I am a member of several committees both within the Economics Department and the University of Lethbridge and undertake journal reviews for a number of Journals. I am a twice recipient of the University of Lethbridge Book Award (2007 and 2011).
I love to travel and in particular drive my family across the Provinces of Canada and the States of the U.S. We have so far travelled to eight of the ten Provinces and forty-three of the fifty States. I obviously love to interact with people. I am happily married and a proud father of five strong boys.
My research work is mainly focused on two broad themes. The first is how international trade affects economic growth and income distribution in the developing world. The second focus is on the role of international capital flow and exchange rate in the determination of current account balances and economic development in developing countries.
I am a member of several committees both within the Economics Department and the University of Lethbridge and undertake journal reviews for a number of Journals. I am a twice recipient of the University of Lethbridge Book Award (2007 and 2011).
I love to travel and in particular drive my family across the Provinces of Canada and the States of the U.S. We have so far travelled to eight of the ten Provinces and forty-three of the fifty States. I obviously love to interact with people. I am happily married and a proud father of five strong boys.
Publications
Books:
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The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems, N.Y: Edwin Mellen Press. (Co-editor with Ohemeng, F. Carroll, B. W., Ayee, R. A.) 2013.
Empirical Essays in Open Economy Macroeconomics: A Policy Regime Analysis of Monetary Policy Rules and the Determination of the Current Account in Small Open Economies. Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Muller, 2008.
The Balance of Payments Analysis of Developing Economies: Evidence from Nigeria and Ghana. London: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. November 28, 2005. (Jointly with Jagdish Handa and Olumuyiwa Adedeji Samson).
Book Chapters:
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Economic Policies in Ghana, in Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems. Eds. Ohemeng, F. Carroll, B. W., Ayee, R. A. and Darku, A. B., 2013.
Journal Articles:
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Darku, A. B. & Appau, A. B. (2015). Analyzing Sub-Saharan African Trade Patterns in the Presence of Regional Trade Agreements. The African Finance Journal, 17(1), 41-66.
Darku, A. B., Malla, S., & Tran, K. C. (2015). Sources and Measurement of Agricultural Productivity and Efficiency in Canadian Provinces: Crops and Livestock. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, 0(0), 1-22.
Darku, A. B. (2014). Income inequality, status seeking, and savings rates in Canada. Canadian Studies in Population, 41(3-4), 88-104.
Darku, A. B. (2012). The balance of payments constraint growth model and the effect of trade liberalization on the trade balance and income growth in Ghana. African Finance Journal, 14(1), 37-66.
Darku, A. B. (2011). The impact of trade liberalization and the fiscal equalization transfer policy on provincial income disparities in Canada: an application of GMM estimation. Applied Economics, 43(13), 1679-1689.
Darku, A. B. (2011). Monetary policy, asset prices and inflation in Canada. International Journal of Accounting Information Science & Leadership, 4(8).
Darku, A. B. (2011). Fiscal Equalization Transfers and Provincial Income Disparities in Canada: An Econometric Reassessment. Journal of International Business Management and Research, 2(3).
Darku, A. B. (2010). Consumption smoothing, capital controls and the current account in Ghana. Applied Economics, 42(20), 2601-2616.
Darku, A. B. (2009). The gravity model and the test for the regional integration effect: the case of Tanzania. The Journal of Developing Areas, 43(1), 25-44.
Darku, A. B. (2001). Private Investment, Uncertainty and Irreversibility in Uganda. African Finance Journal, 3(1), 1-26.
Published Technical Reports:
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Country Economic Memorandum (CEM) for Sudan. 2001 and 2003. World Bank, Washington DC.
Darku, A. B., Malla, S., & Tran, K. C. (2013). Historical review of agricultural efficiency studies. Canadian Agricultural Innovation and Regulation Network (CAIRN) Research Network.
Darku, A. B., Malla, S., & Tran, K. C. (2013). Historical Review of Agricultural Productivity Studies. Canadian Agricultural Innovation and Regulation Network (CAIRN) Research Network.
Darku, A. B., Malla, S., & Tran, K. C. (2012). Stochastic Frontier Approach of Measuring Agricultural Productivity and Efficiency: Accounting for Innovations. Canadian Agricultural Innovation and Regulation Network (CAIRN) Research Network.
Sources and measurement of Agricultural Productivity in Canada: Crops and Livestocks. Canadian Agricultural Innovation and Regulation Network (CAIRN), Saskatoon, SK. (with S. Malla and Tran K. C.) 2012.
Darku, A., & Malla, S. (2010). Agricultural Productivity Growth in Canada: Concepts and Evidences. Cairn Policy Brief, 21, 1-11.
Research Interests
Economic growth, income inequality and poverty; Open Economy Macroeconomics; International trade and development; and Monetary policy regimes.