Joana’s research work has focused on maritime (in) security; transnational organized crimes; the protection of civilians; and natural resource management and its security implications.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology from the University of Ghana, and a Masters in International Studies (Development Cooperation) from the Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea. She has also worked with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of Ghana as an administrative officer on an educational reform committee and later as a Confidential Executive Assistant to the Permanent Secretary. Joana speaks English fluently and minimal French.