Running an R user group in a country where R is still emerging can be challenging. We’re excited to share an insightful conversation that Francis Mensah, founder of the Accra R Users Group, had with R Consortium. In this discussion, Francis explores how the group adapted during the pandemic, their strategies for expanding the R community in Ghana, and their future plans. Here’s a look at their conversation:
Meet Francis Mensah
Francis Mensah is a multifaceted professional with roles as a Statistical Consultant, Data Quality Scientist, Chief Operations Manager, M&E Fellow, Programmer, Data Analyst, and Principal R Organizer and Co-founder of the Accra R Users Group. He also serves as a Business Development Consultant at Kims International, which specializes in Monitoring & Evaluation, Research, and Capacity Building.
The Conversation
R Consortium: What is the R community like in Accra?
Francis Mensah: The R community in Accra is relatively new, and awareness about R is quite low. Many people here are more familiar with Stata or SPSS due to their prominence in educational institutions. Our goal is to increase awareness about R through our group’s activities.
R Consortium: How has COVID affected your ability to connect with members?
Francis Mensah: COVID-19 significantly impacted our ability to meet in person. As a result, we transitioned to virtual meetings. Initially, we planned to host our first in-person event just as the pandemic began, so we quickly adapted to online platforms. We now hold virtual meetings almost every weekend using Zoom, Goto Meeting, and WhatsApp, which has allowed us to connect with both local and international members.
R Consortium: In the past year, did you have to change your techniques to connect and collaborate with members? For example, did you use GitHub, video conferencing, online discussion groups more? Can these techniques be used to make your group more inclusive to people who are unable to attend physical events in the future?
Francis Mensah: We’ve embraced tools like Zoom and WhatsApp for our meetings, which have been effective. We’re also planning to host a Ghana R conference involving various groups, where we will continue to use these platforms to facilitate participation from across the country.
R Consortium: Can you tell us about one recent presentation or speaker that was especially interesting and what was the topic and why was it so interesting?
Francis Mensah: One particularly impactful presentation was by Greg Wilson on “What Every Data Scientist Must Know About Teaching and Learning.” The presentation was highly engaging and well-received, with its effective use of visuals making complex concepts more accessible. Another memorable session was Dr. Riinu’s talk on ggplot, which included practical exercises that were greatly appreciated by our members.
R Consortium: What trends do you see in R language affecting your organization over the next year?
Francis Mensah: We anticipate that R will be increasingly valuable for gaining insights and finding solutions in sectors such as health, finance, agriculture, and the economy. With the ongoing census, we hope to leverage R for data analysis in these areas.
R Consortium: Do you know of any data journalism efforts by your members? If not, are there particular data journalism projects that you’ve seen in the last year that you feel had a positive impact on society?
Francis Mensah: One of our members is actively involved in data journalism, using data to tell compelling stories about events in Ghana. This work exemplifies how data can enhance public understanding and engagement.
R Consortium: When is your next event? Please give details!
Francis Mensah: We have exciting events scheduled for September, including talks by speakers from Argentina and Spain on creating R packages. We will also continue our local Zoom programs and look forward to more engaging sessions.
R Consortium: Of the Funded Projects by the R Consortium, do you have a favorite project? Why is it your favorite?
Francis Mensah: I’m particularly interested in the Interactive Visualizations project. I have a strong interest in data visualization, and exploring this area is always exciting.
R Consortium: Of the Active Working Groups, which is your favorite? Why is it your favorite?
Francis Mensah: The R Certification working group stands out for me. Being proficient in R will support our efforts to spread R’s use in Ghana and serves as a source of motivation for further engagement with R.
R Consortium: There are four projects that are R Consortium Top Level Projects. If you could add another project to this list for guaranteed funding for 3 years and a voting seat on the ISC, which project would you add?
Francis Mensah: I would propose establishing R Clinics across tertiary institutions and industries in Ghana. These clinics could offer workshops and training to boost R’s adoption. Additionally, promoting data journalism would be a valuable initiative for our community.
We hope you found this conversation with Francis Mensah insightful. As the Accra R Users Group continues to grow and make strides in the R community, we invite you to stay connected with us for updates on upcoming events and initiatives.
For the original blog post and to learn more about the R Consortium’s support for R user groups, you can visit their blog post here.
