Nearly 40 years of combined exemplary senior management experience at major International organisations, in banking and finance; government and party politics; church administration; and in international diplomacy. Internationally recognized for having well-honed skills in Corporate Leadership and General Management, Administration, Politics, External Relations and Communications, Financial Management, Resource Mobilisation, and Corporate Governance.
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Coordinating Consultant,
50th?Anniversary Celebrations of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Tunis, Tunisia.?Sept 2013?Present
Lead in the visioning, planning, directing and organising of a year-long series of conferences, events, forums in 50+ locations; and production of publications and audio-visuals, to commemorate the 50th?anniversary of the AfDB. Supervise and direct a wide range of global communications activities, including media relations and publicity, advertising, new and social media, special reports and publications, audio-visual productions, and stakeholder coordination. Selected for this special assignment from a pool of some 5,000 potential candidates who are current and former staff members and consultants of the Bank.
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Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
Action Church International, (ACI) Accra, Ghana?(2011 ? 2014)
As the first CEO of one of Africa?s leading Christian charismatic churches, with some 200 branches and affiliates in some 20 countries worldwide. Responsible for strategic planning, general management, human resources and financial/accounting administration of all administrative aspects of the Church. Administrative oversight of the work of more than 100 Bishops and Pastors, some 300 church workers and volunteers and the expectations of tens of thousands of church members and other stakeholders. Other supervisory responsibilities cover facilities, security, transportation, commercial operations, IT, and corporate and marketing communications.
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President,
Dominion University College, Accra, Ghana (2012 ? 2014)
Responsible for all aspects of strategic planning for the academic programmes, financial and accounting policies, and human resources and administrative systems for the operations of this private Christian University.
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Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, London, UK?(2003 – 2011)
Responsible for the overall vision, mission, strategic planning, resource mobilisation, oversight of finance and budgeting; human capital deployment, and the operational management; programme development and supervision of the operations of this 50-member international organisation. Directed the design and management of operations that range from research and studies, consultancy and advisory services, training and capacity building programmes, and knowledge and information-sharing events that involve the use of ICTs to reduce poverty and promote economic growth in especially the developing member countries of the CTO.
Led the CTO in the process of launching a multimillion dollar Commonwealth Telecom Development Fund, established a commercial subsidiary, CTO-V, to embark on revenue-generating commercial ICT projects in member countries. Proposed and led the execution of strategic new programmes in rural communications, national ICT policy planning, e-governance, digital migration, a diversified programme for development and training, business and partnership development, and commercial events and projects. Conceived and supervised the Commonwealth African Rural Connectivity Initiative (COMARCI), as well as the follow-on workshops to develop Public Private Peoples Partnerships (PPPPs) in the ICT sector of several countries. Was awarded an ITU Gold Medal by its Secretary-General for exemplary contributions to the global ICT sector. Gained further knowledge of the UN system, policies, procedures, legislative processes and practices.
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Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
Spio-Garbrah & Associates, Accra, Ghana?(2001-2003)
Provided communications and advertising advisory services to a number of public and private sector clients. Was appointed in 2001 as a member of an Expert Group of communication professionals assembled by the Director-General of UNESCO to advise the organization on its communication strategies and programmes for the new Millennium.
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Hon. Minister of Communications,
The Republic of Ghana?(1997-1998)
Appointed the first Ghanaian minister of a converged ministry responsible for all ICTs, postal services, meteorology and public information and broadcasting. Developed and managed innovative and transformational government policies and programmes for the rapidly changing and converging fields of telecom, postal services, radio and TV, film and videos, newspapers and publishing, and information technology. Planned and organised the first National Communications Policy Conference of Ghana in October 1998, to place ICT as a central and overarching driving force for all national development.
Worked to attract new investments into the ICT sector, promoted universal access to ICTs, helped to lower costs, and promoted technology transfer and improvements in the quality of service. Managed and supervised a staff of more than 1,000 public servants through a period of considerable policy, institutional and regulatory change. Led numerous Ghana government delegations to many international conferences and meetings, including meetings of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Pan African Telecom Union (PATU), Inmarsat, and Conferences of African and West African Telecom Ministers.
Acting Chairman, National Communications Authority?(1997-1998)
As the pioneer chairman of the newly-created NCA, directed the affairs of the telecom, Internet, radio & broadcasting regulatory authority of Ghana. Established regulations, rules and procedures and mediated in conflicts amongst telecom operators. Initiated and helped to develop: licensing policies and regulations; tariff arrangements; frequency spectrum management; standards and compliance; interconnection regime, etc. Encouraged creativity, transparency, openness, staff mentoring and coaching.
Hon. Minister of Education,
The Republic Of Ghana?(1998 ? 2001)
Provided policy, strategic planning and managerial leadership and direction for all educational activities in Ghana, from Primary One to polytechnics and universities, distance learning, vocational and professional training institutions, functional literacy, the public library system of Ghana, and the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Introduced and directed productivity enhancement, cost saving, attitude change, teamwork and performance efficiency measures in the work of some 180,000 teachers and 30,000 workers. Saw to the academic progress of some 3 million pupils and students in some 20,000 separate educational institutions, Sourced for, planned and managed an annual budget of about US$250 million, supported by development agencies from some twenty countries and major multilateral and bilateral development agencies.
Built unusual consensus through outreach to civil society, labour unions, student and teacher associations, industry and religious and traditional rulers in mobilizing public opinion to campaign for the creation of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GET-FUND). Also mobilised a similar coalition to campaign for a special contribution from the Value Added Tax (VAT) worth an annual US$ 60 million, to be provided to the Education Trust Fund. Lobbied and campaigned for the creation of numerous other independent education funds throughout Ghana, managed by traditional rulers, religious bodies and private corporations and companies, in order to facilitate universal access to education. Published for the first time a booklet on sources of scholarships and financial assistance for students.
Developed a wide network of relationships in the international community while representing Ghana at numerous international conferences. Conducted delicate negotiations to mobilise resources and technical assistance from governments such as those of Japan, France, the UK, USA, Canada and with several bilateral and multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, the UNDP, INICEF, CIDA, USAID, and the African Development Bank.
Provided strategic advice to the President, Cabinet and Parliament of Ghana on all educational matters and managed sensitive Executive and Legislative branch relationships. Gained unusual insights into the inner workings of the United Nations system as Chairman, Ghana National Commission on UNESCO and as a Member of the Executive Board of UNESCO, Paris.
Acting Hon. Minister responsible for Mines and Energy?(1999)
Given temporary management responsibility for this sector at the time of the Ashanti Goldfields Company takeover crisis. Managed a wide range of political, legal, commercial and financial risk mitigation interventions. Supervised and promoted the development programmes for the oil & gas, power, gold, diamond, salt and other mineral industries of Ghana, involving considerable interaction with Canadian, Australian, UK, South African and US mining and oil companies and their professional advisers.
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Chairman of the Public Education Committee for the Re-introduction of the Value Added Tax?(1997 ? 1997)
Gained national recognition for innovative communication strategies in a successful but difficult national campaign to obtain public understanding? ?and acceptance of a new tax regime (that had been earlier rejected by the public and withdrawn by the government) and which now contributes more than US$300 million per annum to the Ghanaian economy.
Ambassador of Ghana to the USA and Mexico, Washington DC USA?(1994-1996)
As the youngest-ever Ghanaian Ambassador to the USA (appointed at age 40), initiated, directed and managed programmes that fostered closer political, diplomatic, economic, business and cultural ties between Ghana and the United States, and Ghana and Mexico. Help create a powerful network of?Friends of Ghana?and a?Ghana Development Fund?as instruments to mobilise US public and private funds into Ghana, and to strengthen a network of Ghanaian professionals in the USA. As part of resource mobilization programmes for Ghana, conceived, planned and executed a historic and record-breaking eight-city 10-day investment promotion campaign and business tour of the USA by President Jerry John Rawlings and a 40-person delegation in October 1995. The hectic programme included a luncheon meeting in the White House with President Clinton and cabinet officers; meetings with US senators, congressmen and women, State Governors and mayors; as well as with influential policy analysts, academia and the mass media throughout the USA.
Praised for helping strengthen relations between Ghana and key constituencies in the USA, including many Federal government agencies, State and City governments, the US Congress and State legislatures and the US business community. Exercised diplomatic skills in coordinating relations between the Government of Ghana and the World Bank and IMF, including participating in loan negotiations and country strategy and portfolio review meetings. Initiated action leading to Ghana?s first admission to the status of official observer at meetings of the Organisation of American States (OAS). Reactivated Ghana?s moribund relations with Mexico, and its membership of the International Satellite Organization (Intelsat). Guided the cementing of ties with numerous US State and City governments, civic and non-governmental organizations, Universities, foundations, financial institutions and chambers of commerce across America.
Head of Communications,
African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote d?Ivoire?(1991-1994)
Developed and directed the global communication planning, external relations strategy and programme management of this $33 billion African multilateral institution. Acted as Institutional Spokesman and communications adviser to top management, especially the President, including speechwriting. Provided innovative on-site field support for bond-issuance road shows, and fund-raising and resource mobilisation campaigns by the ADB Treasury Department in cities such as London, Geneva, Zurich, Frankfurt, Paris, New York and Tokyo. Undertook private sector business promotion, media relations and in-client country development communication with key constituencies, managed advertising and publicity, the production of publications and audio-visuals, and the planning for and media coverage of special events, especially Annual Meetings of the Bank Group. Helped to promote the activities of the African Business Roundtable, the creation of the African Export-Import Bank and the Bank?s various initiatives on women, health, education, intra-African trade, economic integration, debt reduction, poverty alleviation and environmental awareness.
External Relations Officer,
International Finance Corporation, (The World Bank Group), Washington DC?(1988-1991)
Managed a wide range of external relations, business development, and resource mobilization and loan syndication-support programmes in order to promote the role of the private sector in the 135-member countries of the IFC, advised senior management on outreach programmes and organised international seminars, conferences, global direct mail and advertising campaigns on the IFC and trends in private sector development around the world. Promoted the creation and expansion of the African Management Services Company (AMSCO), the Africa Project Development Facility (APDF) and the Foreign Investment Advisory Services (FIAS) of the World Bank Group. Produced, edited and marketed numerous publications and audio-visuals.?Acquired in-depth knowledge of all aspects of event planning and management. Managed an extensive range of corporate and marketing communications programs on behalf of the 135-member countries of the IFC, and acted as institutional spokesman on specific thematic issues and regional programs.
Loans Officer, City Federal Savings and Loans, New Jersey, USA?(1987 ? 1990)
As a senior official of a top-five national mortgage bank, performed a variety of financial analyses, credit evaluations, appraisal of engineer?s reports and reviews of legal documents for the granting of millions of dollars of loans to bank clients for residential properties in central New Jersey, USA. Worked closely with some 50 Real Estate offices and some 1,000 real estate agents in originating US$ millions in mortgage loans for their clients.
Advertising Sales Executive,
South-Western Bell Publications, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania?(1985 ? 1987):
Represented the world?s largest directory publisher in managing the advertising programmes of small and medium-sized US businesses. Became acutely familiar with the financial, operational and marketing challenges facing hundreds of small, medium and large size businesses in a wide range of industries in the United States. Was consistently ranked amongst the top 10 of an 800-person national sales force in tough sales campaigns against competing companies in the North-East USA.
Chairman, Middle East and Africa Group and Account Supervisor,
Hill and Knowlton, Inc. in New York, London, Paris and Geneva?(1979-1985)
Directed, supervised and managed the business development strategies and new client operations for the world?s leading public relations/public affairs firm, from offices in the USA and major European capitals. As first and only African in a firm of 1000+ professionals located in 44 offices in 30 countries, was a key member of the International Department based in New York. Was taught, learnt and practised the fundamentals of international public communications. Gained invaluable experience in managing relations with major global media based in New York and in other world capitals. Counselled foreign governments, such as Indonesia, Turkey, Austria, Gabon, Morocco and the Netherlands, on?their investment, export and tourism promotion strategies in principal target countries. Led teams to organise investment conferences in the United States and Europe for these clients in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta. ?Provided specialised financial, corporate, media and investor relations advice to the top management of major international banks, including the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (now HSBC), Credit Agricole, Rabobank Nederland, Midland Bank and the UBAF Arab-American Bank. Extended energy sector specialised media relations support to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
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Acting General Manager and Accounts Supervisor,
Ghana Advertising and Marketing Limited (GAM), Accra, Ghana?(1975 ? 1978)
As the number two officer in the second-largest advertising and marketing company in Ghana, provided a full range of marketing and corporate communications services to a long list of prestigious clients, including Pioneer Tobacco Company (part of British American Tobacco), Accra Brewery, Barclays Bank, State Insurance Corporation, Firestone, Swissair, Lufthansa, British Caledonian Airways (British Airways), Pfizer, Bayer, Fan Milk, Sterling Products, May & Baker, John Holt Bartholomew (Ford car dealership). Created many memorable and impactful advertising and PR campaigns, and coordinated the periodic participation of all clients in various International Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. Wrote creative copy and supervised creation of jingles and audio-visual commercials and art production. Concurrently, was General Manager of GAMDO, the display and billboards subsidiary of GAM.
TV Talk Show Host and Radio Current Affairs Analyst
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Accra, Ghana?(1976 -1978)
Resident host of popular?Saturday?night prime-time TV programme,?In Town?and regular panellist on weekly radio current affairs programme,?African Forum.
English Teacher,
Adisadel College, Cape Coast, Ghana?(1973-1974)
National Service Scheme
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BUSINESS, PUBLISHING & CORPORATE EXPERIENCE
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CORPORATE BOARD EXPERIENCE
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2010–Present??? ???Member, Board of AngloGold Ashanti, (Ghana)
2010?Present?? ??Chairman, Africa Business Media (Ghana)
2009?Present ????Ag. Chairman, Cape Coast ICT Park Co. (Ghana)
2007- Present??? ??Chairman, Centre on e-Governance (Ghana)
2007?2010????? ??Board member of Telkom South Africa, Chairman of the Board?s Strategy
Committee.? Member, Telkom SA Board Human Resources and Committee, Investment and Transactions Committee, Special Committee on Multilinks (Nigeria)
2007-2009?????????? Member, Board of Vodacom Group (Pty), Ltd, South Africa
2008–present?? ??Chairman, African Cancer Organisation, London
1999?2000????? ??Chairman, Value Added Tax Service Board, Ghana
1989-1991?? ? Member, Executive Committee, World Bank Staff Association, Washington DC
2011 to Present:
Member, International Advisory Board, 4G/Yoomee Africa, Zurich, Switzerland.?Advise on promoting greater access to high-speed broadband in Africa, thereby facilitating more rapid access to news and other developmental content for Africans.
Nov. 2011 to Dec. 2012:
Special Advisor, Africa, Public Security Innovation Centre, The Hague, Netherlands.?Supported business development efforts of some 50 Dutch ICT companies specialising in cyber-security products and ICT infrastructure services, relevant to security of media content.
Nov. 2011 to Dec. 2012:
Special Advisor, Industry and Government Relations, Ericsson, Sub-Saharan Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.?Provided business development, external relations and communications support to Ericsson?s sub-Saharan Africa headquarters and country office staff. Became acquainted with various ICT platforms and infrastructure, including satellite, wireless, fibre, cloud platforms for supporting public communications and media content dissemination.
| 2010 – present
2010 to date 2001 to date |
Executive Chairman, African Business Media (publishers)
Ambassador, Global Entrepreneurship Week (start-up investing) Chief Executive, Spio-Garbrah & Associates? (consultants) Chief Executive, African Business Communications? (representation) |
| 1998 to date | Chief Executive, Segu Farms (agriculture/horticulture) |
| 2001 to date | Chief Executive, Seafront Properties (Ghana), Ltd. (real estate) |
2010?present
Founding Chairman, Africa Business Media,?Accra, Ghana, publishers and event managers?Major shareholder in a commercial enterprise focussed on publishing and events management. Publish the monthly business magazine,Ghana Business & Finance, and organise the annual Presidential-level?Ghana Economic Outlook and Business Strategy Conference.?Use a variety of on-line/ICT platforms and social media for invitations, registrations, marketing and promotion, program management, and for capture of presentations and report dissemination.
| 1999-2001 | Founding Chairman, Editorial Board,?The New Educator-?Newsletter of the Ministry of Education, Ghana | ||
| 1998-1999 | Founding Chairman, Editorial Board,?The Communicator?-Newsletter of the Ministry of Communication, Ghana | ||
| 1995 to 1997 | Executive Editor,?Ghana Business Digest, Washington DC | ||
| 1991 to 1994 | Managing Editor,?ADB Today, African Development Bank | ||
| May 1994 | Executive Editor,?The ADB in Morocco | ||
| May 1994 | Executive Editor,?The ADB in Nigeria | ||
| 1993 | Editorial Director,?The African Development Fund: 20 years of Contribution to African Development, Abidjan | ||
| May 1993 | Executive Editor,?The ADB in Ghana | ||
| May 1993 | Executive Editor,?The ADB in Cote d?Ivoire | ||
| 1993-1994 | Executive Editor, The ADB: Structures, Programmes, Operations and Initiatives | ||
| 1990-1991 | Editor and Publisher, African Bankers? World, The World Bank | ||
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1989-1991 |
?? Newsletter of the African staff within The World Bank and IMF
Writer/Editor,?The IFC in Latin America and The Caribbean Writer/Editor,?The IFC in Europe |
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| 1981-1983 | ?Editor,?Indonesia Development News,??New York (monthly newsletter) | ||
| 1973-1975 | ?Editor,?The Echo,?Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana newsletter | ||
| 1969 | ?Editorial Board,?The Achimotan,?Achimota School magazine
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CIVIC LEADERSHIP, POLITICAL, ORGANISATIONAL EXPERIENCE
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October 2011?to present
Founding Chairman, African Business Centre for Developing Education (ABCDE), London, UK, and Accra, Ghana;:?Founded unique new non-governmental organisation dedicated to bridging the gap between the world of corporate knowledge and experience and that of secondary and tertiary-level classrooms. ABCDE promotes educational advancement in Africa by mobilising corporate citizens and sponsors to assure the in-classroom presence of current and retired corporate executives, who share their real practical experiences with mostly teenage and early 20s students, firing up their imagination and fostering, mentoring, coaching and promoting entrepreneurship. In addition, mentors promote key concepts about awareness of HIV/AIDS, Cancer and the importance of ICTs.
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October 2011?to present
Founding Chairman, African Cancer Organisation, London, UK and Accra, Ghana; August 2008-to present: ?Founded a non-governmental organisation to create awareness in Africa and among Africans in the Diaspora on the negative trends in Cancer incidence in Africa. ACO organises a range of public awareness campaigns to mobilise government, private sector, civil society and other social agencies to invest in measures to reduce the increase in Cancer occurrences in Africa.
| 1999 | Chairman, Ghana Government Ministerial Oversight Committee, African African-American Summit, Ghana | |
| 1997-1999 | Chairman, Public Education Committee for the Re-introduction of the Value Added Tax, Ghana | |
| 1996-2001 | Member, National Executive Committee, National Democratic Congress (NDC), Subsequently Elected Vice Chairman of the NDC Party (2010) | |
| 1994 | Founder and Patron, Ghana Development Fund, Washington DC | |
| 1990 | President, Old Achimotan Association, (Alumni Association) Washington | |
| 1989-1991 | Chairman, African Staff Issues Working Group, The World Bank, Washington DC | |
