GREEN STEWARDSHIP INTERNATIONAL - Key Persons
Akwasi Yamoah is managing the Information Technology and Logistics (ITL) department of Green Stewardship international. He was awarded a BSc in Information Technology from the Kumasi campus of University of Education, Winneba (UEW) in Ghana.
Before pursuing his bachelor's degree, he was awarded a diploma in Hardware and Networking Engineering from the College of Technology, Intercom Programming and Manufacturing Company Limited (IPMC) Ghana. The combination of theoretical exposure, professional training and real life work situationsa has given him experience in networking, software and database administration.
Akwasi has also received a certificate in practical networking from Softcity Training Centre (STC) in Kumasi, Ghana. Recently, as part of the national service scheme of Ghana, Akwasi was posted to the IT Support Unit under the Support Services division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) head office in Accra. During this period, he was assigned as part of a team carrying out networking expansion in various offices of GRA.
Akwasi has been actively involved in installation, maintenance of all types of systems and teaching of beginners in computing at Gateway Cybercafe and Integrity Information Technology in Kumasi. Akwasi is self-motivated and passionate about finding innovative, environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions through technology application.
Job Titles:
- National Director
- National Director, Ghana
Daniel Kwame Debrah is the National Director of Green Stewardship International, Ghana. Daniel is responsible for the general functioning of the organisation in Ghana. Since 2016, Daniel had worked with Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) as Research Technologist. Some of the key projects Daniel worked under include the International tropical timber organisation (ITTO) forest auditing and field data taking for DNA fingerprint and timber tracking in Ghana.
With his involvement in forestry and other biodiversity conservation activities, Daniel has over the years developed his passion and capacity for sound environmental management. Daniel holds a BSc in Forest Resources Technology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana and is currently studying the master's programme of forestry science at Canterbury University in New Zealand. He has in-depth knowledge and skills in landscape restoration, forest auditing, and biosecurity risk management and application of acoustic in the determination of wood/trees stiffness.
Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Marfo is the Board Chair of Green Stewardship International and a Member of Parliament in Ghana. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Policy and MSc Forest Policy (with distinction) and "Prof. Van Der Plas" award for the best Master of Science, both from Wageningen University. He has a BSc. (Natural Resource Management) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Ghana.
Dr. Marfo is a passionate and dedicated scientist, consultant, lecturer, policy analyst, an astute politician and a mentor. He is an expert in environmental policy and governance.
Dr. Marfo has also worked as a Principal Research Scientist with the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In addition, Dr. Marfo has worked as a part-time Senior Lecturer at KNUST and a regular peer reviewer of Ghana Journal of Forestry. Dr. Marfo has also served the Forestry Research Network of Sub-Saharan African (FORNESSA) and acted as the Deputy Country Representative of International Union for Forestry Research (IUFRO) for some time.
By virtue of his hard work and commitment, Dr. Marfo has several refereed journal papers, reports and policy papers to his credit. In addition, he has also co-authored books on forest policy and governance and edited several conference papers and abstracts nationally and internationally.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Scientist
- Member of Ghana Science Association
- Plant Pathologist
- Research Fellow at the Forest
Dr. Francis Collison Brentu is a board member of Green Stewardship International and Plant Pathologist by profession. He holds a Ph.D. in Crop Science from University of Ghana. He was awarded MPhil in Nematology in 2000 and BSc in Agriculture in 1991 from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Dr. Brentu is an experienced crop scientist with research expertise in plant mycology and nematology, a consultant, lecturer and lead resource person in several agricultural training programmes. He has been a resource person to GIZ, MOFA, UG and MOAP on citrus improvement demonstration fields in the eastern and central regions since January 2012 to date.
Dr. Brentu is a member of Ghana Science Association, the Ghana Institute of Horticulturists and the Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America (ONTA). He has numerous reviewed journal articles to his credit and co-authored briefs such as the Pest Management Decision Guides and Factsheets.
Sylvia Esther Gyan is a board member of Green Stewardship Intentional. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Ghana, Legon.
Over the years, Sylvia has been researching and publishing on development issues with special interest on the livelihoods of women and children. Her research interest includes culture and reproductive health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, gender and development studies, and sustainable development.
Currently Sylvia Esther Gyan is a Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Ghana.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Project Management Advisor
George Antwi-Danquah is a Project Management Advisor of Green Stewardship International and a banker by profession. He holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA -Project Management Option) from University of Ghana. George has completed ACIB Intermediate from the Chartered Institute of Bankers. He was awarded BSc in Agriculture Economics in 1999 from University of Ghana.
George is an experienced project manager and a banker with over 10 years in banking and investment industry. Currently, George is the project officer at Ivory Finance Company Limited in Accra. Until now, he has worked with National Investment Bank as Banking Operations Manager and Nsoatreman Rural Bank as Project/Credit Officer respectively. He has great interest in sound environmental management and charity programmes.
Herty Fosuaa Forson is a Legal Advisor of Green Stewardship International and a lawyer by profession. She read law at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and graduated with Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 2009. She did her national service at the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in Kumasi as a mediator and investigator.
She studied at the Ghana School of Law, Legon Campus, in 2010 and completed her Qualifying Certificate in Law in 2012. She was called to the Ghana Bar in October, 2012. Herty did her pupillage and also practiced with Totoe Legal Service in Ghana.
Herty has earlier worked with an NGO which protected the rights of children who run into trouble with the law. She has also attended workshops on ADR, especially mediation, and has worked with Opportunity International Savings and Loans as a legal officer for its Northern sector branches.
Currently, Herty works with Ideal Finance Ltd in Kumasi as the Legal Officer. She also oversees the legal affairs of Firstrust Savings and Loans in the Northern Sector of Ghana. Herty enjoys new challenges and participating in programs which offer different perspective in her line of work.
Job Titles:
- International Director
- Deputy International Director
Josefin Egerlid is the Deputy International Director of Green Stewardship International and one of the founding partners. She has been awarded an MSc in Rural Development and Natural Resource Management and BSc in Rural Development, both from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Josefin studied at University of Northern British Columbia in Canada as an exchange student as part of her bachelor studies. Her academic interest is mainly within issues such extractive industries, indigenous peoples, land governance and environmental sustainability. As Part of her master's program she did an internship with Global Reporting in Stockholm where she wrote some journalistic articles about the oil conflicts in South Sudan. She also undertook a minor field study about indigenous people's land rights in Peru in 2014. Josefin is currently engaged as Assistant Programme Coordinator at the Pentecostal Development Cooperation, PMU InterLife, in Stockholm. She is experienced in managing developments projects in Latin America, especially in Ecuador and Guatemala, and has undergone several training programmes on working with change processes through civil society organisations under the auspice of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Josefin has language competence in English, Swedish and Spanish. Josefin is driven by the desire to see good examples of sound environmental management which can both create wealth and wellbeing for the poor and disadvantaged.
Josefin Egerlid Yeboah is the Deputy International Director of Green Stewardship International and one of the founding partners. She has been awarded an MSc in Rural Development and Natural Resource Management and BSc in Rural Development, both from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Josefin studied at University of Northern British Columbia in Canada as an exchange student as part of her bachelor studies.
Kenneth Wisdom Alayun is the Accountant for Green Stewardship International. Wisdom is a product of Garden City University College, Kumasi, where he studied BSc in Accounting with Computing.
Currently, he is a student of ICAG which is preparing him to become a Chartered Accountant. He has completed the Ghana Accounting Technician (GAT) programme from Sunyani Polytechnic and holds a Diploma in Theology from Agape Christian Ministers Bible College. Currently at GSI, Wisdom is managing the accounts department to ensure efficient financial data collection, book keeping, planning and presentation of financial reports to people within and outside GSI. He has also worked with many organizations in different tasks such as; marketing, teaching and coordination, which has enabled him to acquire rich experience from diverse fields.
Wisdom is the Director of Wisdy Ventures in Kumasi and an Accountant with Ghana Education Service in Nsuta in Ashanti Region. He is indeed a rare gem with profound business ideas, teaching and writing acumen - a talented motivational speaker, a Christian minister and a business consultant.
Wisdom is skilled in the use of Microsoft Office, Excel, Coral Draw, PageMaker, PowerPoint, Script Writing and Publishing. Wisdom is naturally rich in event management and strategic planning.
Kow Essiriw Mensah is the Program Manager of Green Stewardship International. Kow has worked extensively as Technical Advisor at the German International Cooperation (GIZ) in Ghana and Project Coordinator for the Concern Universal Ghana. He has broad range of interest and over 10 years of experience in the development work. Kow has demonstrated interest and has passion to issues affecting vulnerable and marginalized people.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Consultant
- Policy Advisor
- Research and Policy Advisor
Michael Boampong is a Policy Advisor of Green Stewardship International and currently engaged as a PhD Candidate in Development Studies at University of London (Birkbeck). His thesis focuses on contemporary migration in the context of economic crises and its implications on children and childhood within Ghanaian transnational families.
Michael has worked as a consultant, tutor, reader, mentor and as a founder of Young People We Care (YPWC). He has over 5 years' working experience in international development, primarily at various United Nations agencies. At UNDP's Poverty Practice Group at UNDP's Bureau for Development Policy, he provided technical support to the organisation's ongoing policy work on migration and development.
Prior to working with UNDP in New York, Michael worked with UNDP Ghana, where he provided technical support to UNDP in the design and implementation of the EC/UN Joint Initiative on Migration and Development's (JMDI) activities in Ghana. Previously at UNDESA, he served as the lead author of the 2013 UN World Youth Report on Youth and Migration. He has also worked at UNICEF as a migration policy analyst where he provided technical support on youth participation in migration policy and practice.
Michael has specialization in policy analysis, development research, advocacy, capacity building, partnerships, resource mobilization and project management.
Valerie Fumey Nassah is a board member of Green Stewardship International and a forester by profession. She has an MSc in Project Management from Lancaster University Management School United Kingdom (2005) and was awarded a BSc in Natural Resource Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 1994.
Valerie has worked with the Resource Management Support Centre of Forestry Commission of Ghana since 1994. From 1999 to 2008 she worked as an Assistant Manager for Collaborative Resource Management Department developing and monitoring systems for community and stakeholder involvement in forest management. From 2005 to 2010 she also supported the Community Forestry Management Project sponsored by the Government of Ghana and the African Development Bank as a Monitoring and Control Officer for the establishment of 13,000 ha of forest plantations across three regions and five districts in Ghana jointly owned by Communities and government of Ghana.
In 2013 she was the National Forestry Consultant for the AfDB and a member of the Appraisal Team and she led the development of project activities on reforestation in off reserve areas and climate smart agriculture to contribute to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) projects under the Ghana Forest Investment Program.
Currently as the Head of the Plantations Department, RMSC-FC, Valerie is working in partnership with other institutions to incorporate non timber forest products in forest plantations as a source of livelihoods for fringe communities. Valerie's strong Christian conviction makes her a strong advocate of equity, efficiency and effectiveness in the management of environment and natural resources.
Job Titles:
- Deputy National Director
- National Deputy Director, Ghana
Peninnah Osei-Poku is the Deputy National Director of Green Stewardship International, Ghana. As part of her duties, Peninnah works directly with the board and the management team of GSI. She holds a B.A. (Economics and Sociology) from the University of Cape Coast.
Prior to her current appointment at GSI Ghana, she dedicated herself to working in the interest of vulnerable street children. She is currently employed as the Programme Coordinator of Praktikawelten - Ghana. Peninnah formerly worked with the Street Academy (a sports and cultural academy for street children) as the Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Project Coordinate between 2009 and 2011. During the same period, Peninnah was engaged as the Associate Director of Revolutionary Underground Foundation where she had the opportunity of mentoring young girls.
Peninnah is very passionate about livelihoods strategies of urban street children in the context of changing climatic conditions.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Secretary
- Secretary
Priscilla Aprepary is the Administrative Secretary of Green Stewardship International. She holds a BSc. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. As part of her career and professional development activities, Priscilla had the opportunity to work as an Intern at Ghana Water Company - Barekese Head Works, where she gained experience in Quality Assurance pertaining to water treatment for domestic use as well as sustainable waste disposal.
Priscilla was a program assistant at Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Forestry Commission, Ghana where she gained exposure in office and secretarial duties. At National Petroleum Authority, Ghana, Priscilla joined a team of staff as an Intern to inspect various Petroleum Retail Outlets, and perform Laboratory Tests on petroleum samples for authentication.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Professor Kessey Is a Board Member of Green Stewardship International. He Is an Enterprising
highly resourceful and motivated development economist and planner with leadership skills as faculty head. He is an experienced lecturer, consultant, researcher, policy analyst and development practitioner. He holds a Ph.D. (Public Finance) with distinction, from University of Technology, Dortmund; MPhil (Development Economics) from University of Cambridge, England and MSc (Regional Planning) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Ghana.
Professor Kessey has track record of successfully working for top tier academic and international development institutions, including among others: Erasmus University, Minnesota State University, USA (where he was a visiting scholar), the World Bank, Canadian International Development Agency, German International Co-operation and European Union. He worked with the Chartered Institute of Management and Administration, Ghana as senior instructor in capacity building.
He led a group of consultants to evaluate the World Bank Community Water and Sanitation pilot project in Ghana. The work led to the expansion and replication of the programme throughout Ghana. He has researched and published extensively within the area of municipal and micro finance, local governance, urban management, global economic policy and environment.
Professor Kessey has received awards from international agencies including: United Nation Development Programme, Overseas Development Association, and German Academic Exchange Service, and professional affiliations including: Commissioner of National Development Planning Commission, Fellow of Cambridge Commonwealth Society, Fellow of Chartered Management Consultants, Member of Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) Minnesota State University, Member of Ghana Institute of Planners, Member of Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management, Member of African Finance Association, Member of University Teachers Association of Ghana, Board Member of Volta River Authority Resettlement Trust Fund Board, Board member of Anidaso Mutual Fund Company; Board Chairman of NGIS - Mutual Fund Company, and Member of America Cambridge Society, among others.