Theresa Sackey

Theresa Sackey is an MSc Data Science student at the University of Ghana and a Graduate Researcher at DRAKA Labs whose work explores how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can be applied to consequential real-world problems affecting people, businesses and developing economies.

Her research interests span Machine Learning, Deep Learning, spatio-temporal modelling, predictive analytics and intelligent systems, with particular interest in food systems, agriculture, business and other domains where improved prediction and intelligent decision support can generate practical value.

Her current MSc research investigates food price dynamics and volatility across Sub-Saharan Africa, using large-scale market, spatial, climatic, conflict and macroeconomic data to examine whether machine-learning models can improve both food-price forecasting and early identification of significant price spikes.

The research is informed not only by academic interest but also by Theresa's own experience as a caterer and food vendor, where she experienced firsthand how sudden food-price increases can undermine the viability of a small business.

That experience shaped an important dimension of her research philosophy: food-price volatility is not simply a statistical phenomenon. It affects livelihoods, household decisions, businesses, food security and people's ability to plan.

At DRAKA Labs, Theresa contributes to emerging research at the intersection of AI, food systems, predictive intelligence and socioeconomic resilience, with a long-term ambition to develop intelligent systems that are both scientifically rigorous and practically useful.