First Lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio is motivated by pan- Africanist ideals. She is a strong believer in women empowerment as key to sustainable development. She pursued her passion for women empowerment as First Lady by staging a peaceful protest against gender based violence. It was a historic march as First Ladies from different African Countries came together in unity in a protest march on the streets of Freetown in December 2018. This was the beginning of her very powerful campaigned themed “Hands Off Our Girls”. Born into the madingo tribal circle, she knew who her husband would be at age 10. She narrowly escaped Child marriage and started philanthropic work at a very tender age of 16. She relocated to London where she pursued her passion for charity work. Her personal story is her main motivation and she has traveled the world providing support to vulnerable children, especially in Africa.
First Lady Fatima Bio has Bachelors of Art degree in Performing Art from the Roehampton Institute of London and in Journalism from the University of Arts, London College of Communication.
Worthy of note about Sierra Leone’s illustrious first lady is the niche she has garnered for herself through hard-work over the years in the entertainment industry as an actress, script Writer, executive producer and a multi award winning face of Nollywood industry. Among her barrage of prominent features in cinema is the
‘Mirror Boy’.
First Lady Maada Bio has received several awards including;
— Honoured with the Warrior Award at the International Women of Power Luncheon in California, U.S.A. for her bravery and outstanding contribution towards women and girls in Sierra Leone.
— Honoured as one of the most influential people of African descent under 40 in New York, United States.
—Miss Africa in 2000
— “Best Supporting Actress” for the movie Mirror Boy in 2011 “Best Actress Award” from the Black Ethnics, Fashion and Film.
In line with her husband’s vision, First Lady Bio believes education is key. Her philanthropic character is inborn and she is a fantastic role model that leads by example. Her greatest strength is her ability to achieve any goal she sets. Some say it is divine, but people close to her say it is pure, undiluted hard work, while others insist it is a combination of both divine intervention and hard work.
First Lady of Sierra Leone
Madame Nasseneba Touré Diané was born on September 24, 1972, in Korhogo, where she began her schooling. At the age of 19, after obtaining her baccalaureate, she went to the United States to continue her studies. It was there that she began her political career. Graduating in computer science and telecommunications, she started her career at Comsat, one of the American leaders in the sector, before moving to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and then to the World Bank in Washington. Since 2012, Nasseneba Touré has been the mayor of the commune of Odienné in the northwest of Côte d’Ivoire.
She subsequently became Secretary in charge of women and mobilization in Washington DC, for Virginia and Maryland. She participated in mobilization and activities for the Democrats in support of Bill Clinton for his second term during the 1996 U.S. presidential elections.
From 2003 to 2006, Nasseneba Touré worked at the World Bank in the Transport and Infrastructure Department. In 2006, while Côte d’Ivoire was still experiencing a military-political crisis, she decided to return to her country.
In 2007, she entered the Ivorian administration as a Technical Advisor at the Ministry of New Information and Communication Technologies (NTIC). She was then appointed Technical Advisor to the then Prime Minister Guillaume Kigbafori Soro in 2008. In April 2012, she became the first female mayor of Odienné, a commune in the northwest of Côte d’Ivoire, and the 4th Vice President of the Union of Cities and Communes of Côte d’Ivoire (UVICOCI).
In 2014, she received the “Excellence Award for Best Mayor of Côte d’Ivoire” from President Alassane Ouattara, after two years of municipal management. A practicing Muslim, she works with the community and is active in humanitarian efforts.
As Mayor, she participates in several international meetings within United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
A practicing Muslim, she works with the community and is active in humanitarian efforts. She rehabilitated the largest mosque
in the city of Odienné and assists people in need through the “Faso Kanou” Foundation. Additionally, as the patron of Dominique Ouattara’s foundation, Children of Africa, Nasseneba Touré is very active in the fields of health, education, and the well-being of the population.
Minister, Ministry of Family, Women & Children
Born on June 17, 1959, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, married and mother of four children, H.E. Madame Kandia CAMARA has been the President of the Senate of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire since October 12, 2023. She is thus the first woman in Côte d’Ivoire to hold this high office.
An Inspector General of National Education and Training, category A, grade A7 of the Public Service of Côte d’Ivoire, she is a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure, the National University of Côte d’Ivoire, and Lancaster University in England. She taught general English and specialized English from 1983 to 2002, notably at the Cocody Modern College, the Treich-Laplène College, and the Abidjan Vocational Hospitality High School.
As a notable handball player, she won the title of Côte d’Ivoire champion six times from 1974 to 1980 and once the African Club Champions Cup in 1981.
She founded the Committee for the Rally and Awareness of Women for the PDCI-RDA in 1990 and held various positions within this party, including member of the Political Bureau, Secretary General of the National Bureau of the Women’s Union of the PDCI (UFPDCI) from 1991 to 1994. She was also a Municipal Councillor in the Cocody Municipality from 1990 to 1995.
On October 6, 2023, she was appointed Senator and on October 12, 2023, she was overwhelmingly elected with 94.50% of the votes as President of the Senate, making her the first woman President of the Senate of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, after being the second woman State Minister in the history of Côte d’Ivoire.
In the administrative and governmental action field, she was a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of the National Reconciliation and Transition Government from 2003 to 2010.
She entered the Government as Minister of National Education on December 4, 2010. She also held the following ministerial departments: Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Women, Family, and Children, from the crisis exit until May 21, 2011, and Minister of National Education, Technical Education, and Vocational Training from 2011 to 2021. She held the portfolio of State Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and the Diaspora from April 6, 2021, to October 12, 2023.
Thus, she became the first woman to head these two Ministries in our country.
President of the Senate Côte D'Ivoire
Sheikh Chérif Ousmane Madani Haïdara has served as the President of the High Islamic Council of Mali since April 2019. He is the only public figure in the whole country of Mali to bring together a crowd as strong as 80,000 followers in one place.
His influence and high stature allow(s) him to play a significant role in the political discourse. In 1991, Haïdara founded the Ansar Dine Islamic movement, which is based on Sufi teachings. He is a follower of the Maliki school of Islam and a Sufi.
Sheikh Chérif Ousmane Madani Haïdara’s Ansar Dine movement is particularly strong in southern Mali, as well as in neighboring countries such as Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with more than 2 million members and more than 7 million followers. Furthermore, his influence extends to the Malian diaspora in more than 36 countries. It is important to note that Haïdara’s movement should not be confused with the terrorist organization Ansar Dine operating in northern Mali.
Beyond his role as a religious leader in Mali, Sheikh Chérif Ousmane Madani Haïdara is active in the region and on the international stage. His work aims to promote unity and understanding among different religious communities.
Mali
2nd Counselor, Africa West Area Presidency
Spencer L. James, Ph.D., is a professor of Family Life at Brigham Young University, where he also serves as a Fellow of the Wheatley Institute and the Ballard Center for Social Impact. Currently, he and his family reside in Benin, West Africa as he serves as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Parakou during the 2023—2024 school year. Since coming to BYU in 2012, he has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters in prominent outlets and numerous public reports focused on two lines of research: the first on the consequences of family relationships for child well-being, and the second addressing how and why people form, maintain, and dissolve romantic relationships.
He is the founder and director of the Global Families Research Initiative (globalfamilies.byu.edu), which focuses on global family relationships and how those relationships influence the wellbeing of children, adolescents, and adults. Currently, he is working on several projects that examine how family dynamics and child well-being are linked in sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the world. He is very much looking forward to engaging with each of you and welcomes opportunities to connect and collaborate.
USA
Akabla Florentine Agoh Kouassi is a doctor in Contemporary History and teacher-researcher in the Department of History at Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké/Côte d’Ivoire since 2009.
Specialist in religious history, her work and publications focus on the developments observed in the means of apostolate used by evangelical Protestant churches in their mission of evangelization, on the relations between the different Christian and Muslim communities as well as the contribution traditional and imported religions to the development of African states.
More than twenty publications which analyze these questions are to her credit, including: “Protestant female missionary work in Ivory Coast from the end of the 19th century to 1960: particularities and impact” In Work throughout history. Goeh–Akue, Koutchoukalo Tchassim, Iba Bilina Ballong, Democracy, local governance and social justice, Paris, L’ Harmattan, June 2020; She also took part in several scientific events (symposia, conferences, seminars) organized both in Africa (Abidjan, and in Europe (Nice, Montreal) as a communicator or member of the steering Committee.
Côte D'Ivoire
Excellency YABOUDJRO Henoc, a Peace Ambassador and management expert of conflict, holder of a master’s degree in Management. Since 2007, he has shared his expertise as a speaker and trainer of trainers on the principles of peace within the Universal Peace Federation (FPU). Furthermore, it intervenes as a speaker on true family values for the Federation of Families for World Peace and unification since 2006.
Excellency YABOUDJRO is also the President of the CSTP (Spiritual Center of Personal Transformation) and has participated as a panelist on several summits on true family values in Côte d’Ivoire between 2022 and 2023, as well as as at international summits such as in Senegal in 2018, in SAO Tomé and Principé in 2019, and in Niger in November 2019.
Beyond his associative commitment, Excellence YABOUDJRO is an Advisor Municipal at th in Excellence YABOUDJRO is an Advisor Municipal at the Town Hall of Attécoubé and also a writer. His latest work entitled “Education for Peace” published in 2023 demonstrates its desire to promote peaceful and constructive values. Married and father of two children.
Côte D'Ivoire
He was born on January 1, 1955 in Tioko, Sub–Prefecture of Grand–Lahou (Ivory Coast). He studied in Ivory Coast and France. He is married and father of 3 daughters (1988, 1991, 1998). His nationality is Ivorian. He is Professor of Social, Cultural and Political Anthropology at Alassane Ouattara University–Bouaké–
Ivory Coast.
Professor AGBROFFI Diamoi Joachim is the author of several scientific articles and co–authors of numerous books. He is a member of several national and international associations. He has participated in a large number conferences, symposia and congresses around
the world.
Côte D'Ivoire
With over 17 years of hands-on experience in business development, project management, and technology within a multinational financial institution, Selma has successfully navigated the landscape of the financial industry, acquiring valuable knowledge and expertise.
In addition to her extensive experience in financial markets and corporate banking, Selma has a keen interest in leveraging technology for fostering social improvement through financial services transformation.
With it’s “PUSH” suite of solutions, Panelys provides modern and efficient solutions to industry stakeholders. Selma leads a dynamic and talented team, collaborating with international partners to create groundbreaking technological innovations. The project conducted in partnership with the Ivorian government, tracing the physical and financial flows of coffee and cocoa, stands as a prominent example of their work.
Côte D'Ivoire
Kenya
Maimouna SÈNE customer experience director of Push
With nearly 16 years of experience in customer relationship management within different financial establishments, this Service Designer is passionate about people. It works to improve the daily lives of people by developing services focused on their needs and optimizing their satisfaction and loyalty. His dynamic leadership and his ability to unite teams are a true source of inspiration.
Côte D'Ivoire
Dixon was instrumental in securing AU co-sponsorship for the G20 interfaith harmony event held in Addis Ababa for the past two years
Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Supervisor, Engineer, oil refinery; former member of stake audit committee, bishop, mission president, and stake president; married Rosine Dahigo, five children.
Côte D'Ivoire
Revealed to the Ivorian and African public in January 2019, Brice Guigré, known by his real name, is a media enthusiast. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of West Africa (UCAO) and a Master’s degree in Communication from the Agitel Formation group.
Previously, this Ivorian media professional attended Collège Moderne Autoroute de Treichville and the Catholic Secondary School Moyen Séminaire for middle and high school. Initially, he made his first steps as a journalist-writer and reporter at DJIBI TV, a web TV, in 2010. Subsequently, he worked at SOURCE TV, BENIE TV, BUSINESS 24 AFRICA, and AFRICA HOME TV, where he successively held the roles of presenter and editor-in-chief.
In July 2016, he joined Radio Jam as a journalist-presenter, where he hosted “Tout Feu Tout Flamme,” one of the flagship radio shows, as well as news bulletins. A few months later, he was hired by Ossoo TV, an audiovisual production company based in Abidjan and Libreville (Gabon). Hired as the editor-in-chief, Brice Guigré was designated as the presenter of the show “ON SE DIT LES GBÊ” after a highly selective and rigorous casting process among several other candidates.
Since September 2022, he has been working as the presenter of the show “Afterwork” on Radio Nostalgie. In parallel, he teaches at BEM INSTITUT, a prestigious higher education institution, where he gives courses in Media Training and Public Speaking.
In December 2019, he won the award for Best Television Revelation in Africa.
Karibi Tamunoemi George is a teacher, lawyer, mediator and communications advisor, who retired as a Director from the Civil Service in Nigeria. He has rendered voluntary service to many organizations and spoken at conferences of professional associations, service, and religious bodies in Nigeria, earning some awards in the process.
An avid (Lawn) Tennis player, football follower, radio presenter and interactive Master of Ceremonies, Karibi is the author of four books; The Master of Ceremonies Handbook (2000), Write On, Civil Servant (2022); Tales from School of Laws (2022); and (editor) 100 Years of Worship and Ministry: The Story of First Baptist Church Port Harcourt 1922-2022, and many articles on literature, communications, law, and education. He is married and the marriage is blessed with children.
Nigeria
Lawyer Fiifi Buckman Philip is a Barrister of Law with a degree in political Science and linguistics from the University of Ghana. He is the legal advisor to many institutions in the Western Region of Ghana and is the head of the legal department of a reputable bank in Ghana. He is the board secretary to Lower Pra Rural Bank. He has also served as the organizer of the Western Bar Association of Lawyers.
He is the host of “Legal Issues Your Rights” on a local radio station. He is a social commentator, an advocate of the less privileged in society and has the zeal to protect the fundamental human rights of all, especially the vulnerable in society such as widows and orphans.
Due to his love for all, he was honored with enskinment as a sub-chief of the Dagomba tribe from the Northern Region of Ghana. He is a Parliamentary aspirant on the ticket of the largest opposition party in Ghana (NDC). He is a family lawyer and has been married for 20 years with four girls.
Côte D'Ivoire
Eugenia Abu is one of Nigeria’s frontline Broadcast Journalists winning several awards in the field including the prestigious NMMA Best Newscaster of the year in 1995. She anchored the NTA flagship network news for 17 years and retired from active public service at the top of her career as Executive Director, having served meritoriously for 34 years. Eugenia Abu is a visiting consultant at Bingham University and a council member of Veritas University. She is a judge on the National Maltina Teachers award and the OFAB Media award. Eugenia is also a member of the National Media Complaints commission and a board member of the Savannah Centre for diplomacy, democracy and Development. She has consulted for several national and international organizations.
A Multimedia Strategist, Media Consultant, Columnist, and Author, she is a much sought-after Compere and high-level Moderator and Facilitator at home and abroad and was the compere at the inauguration of President Yar’adua and President Jonathan. She also compered the inaugural dinner of President Buhari. Only recently she anchored the 2023 Presidential inauguration Lecture and the Presidential inaugural ball for President Tinubu. She is the Managing partner/CEO The Eugenia Abu Media.She lives in Abuja with her family; a happily married mother of six.
Nigeria
Nigeria
Gomez R. KIPRE, Consultant Manager Coach, Expert in financial education and entrepreneurship. Married and Father of 5 children, Gomez is now a Partner and Manager of the Firm of Financial Education and Advice (EDUFIN.CONSEILS) and Founding President of the international NGO EDUFIN.CLUB that he created to fight against poverty and contribute significantly to the financial well-being of individuals and families, he has worked in several organizations and companies including
PPI (People Power Inclusion) as an Expert in financial education for the implementation of the National Financial Education Program (PNEF) and IRC (International Rescue Committee) as consultant trainer Coach as part of the Program to strengthen opportunities for Young people (PRO YOUTH) for their professional integration.
He also worked as accountant and financial manager in several other companies.
BAC+5 level in organizational management at CAMPC (African Development Center
and Executive Management), he holds a master’s degree (master 1) in economics
obtained at the University of COCODY and
five certificates in financial and accounting management of commercial companies and NGOs.
Côte D'Ivoire
Imam Sheikh Waly SECK, of Senegalese nationality, holds a planning engineering diploma obtained in Senegal, then a Master’s degree in development economics and a diploma of in-depth studies in development obtained in Geneva, Switzerland. Since 1985 until today, he has held numerous important positions which have enabled him to perform eminent and loyal services through the Ministry of Planning and Cooperation, the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Planning, the High Council for Natural Resources and the Environment, the Ecological Monitoring Center, the American Foundation for Development in Africa, etc. Since 2015, he has been appointed special advisor to the national coordinator of the community agricultural estates program, in charge of technical and socio-economic studies.
A fervent disciple of El hadji Abdou Aziz Dabakh RTA, Imam Cheikh Waly Seck holds the highest title in the Tidiane hierarchy. He is a leader in several areas of influence, notably in his role as promoter of Islamic values as president of the Council of FAIPI (Foundation to Support Initiatives for the Promotion of Islam) based in Dakar, of Citoyen of the World, International Mediator and Traveling Ambassador of Peace. He received the dignitary toga “Amadou Makhtar Mbow”.
Senegal
Her Worship Madam Rohey Malick Lowe made history on the 12th of May 2018 when she was elected as the first female mayor in the city of Banjul and in The Gambia. She is also the first female mayor to be re-elected in Banjul and in The Gambia. She lived in Sweden and studied International Relations at the University of Falun in Sweden. In Sweden, she served on the Child Welfare Committee of Nyköping Municipality, with responsibility of overseeing schools within her jurisdiction for four years.
As Mayor of Banjul, one of her strongest priorities has been to ensure that the youth and women of the city of Banjul are empowered through skills building and entrepreneurship. She is also very passionate about quality education for girls, provision of easily accessible good drinking water, and availability of quality, affordable and accessible health care for her people. She holds various positions on several boards and has won prestigious awards.
Gambia
Supervisor, Engineer, oil refinery; former member of stake audit committee, bishop, mission president, and stake president; married Rosine Dahigo, five children.
Kenya
Ghana
Dr. Joseph Koffi Nutefé TSIGBE is a Full Professor (CAMES) in contemporary history. He is Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Lomé. He teaches social and economic history at the same university. A member of the Equipe d’études sur le travail et les relations identitaires en Afrique (LETRIA), he is the author of books and articles on the economic, social and socio-political history of African states in general and Togo in particular.
His latest book co-published (with Komlan Kouzan) at L’Harmattan is entitled “Nicolas Grunitzky (1913-1969). Le nationaliste trop prudent ou l’homme de la France? He is also a national evaluator for Global Integrity based in the USA and a consultant for the Center for Linguistic and Historical Studies by Oral Tradition (Celhto).
Togo
Rt. Rev George Neequaye Kotei is the Anglican Bishop of Tema Diocese in Ghana. He is a senior lecturer at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra. He has many degrees culminating with a Master of Philosophy from University of Ghanan and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from University of Pretoria, South Africa. Several of his articles have been published and he has contributed in 4 books. He is married with 2 grown sons and 1 daughter.
Ghana
Dr. Ibrahim Salieu Kamara was born of prominent Islamic Scholars in the early 60’s. After his secondary education, he went first to Milton Teachers’ College where he obtained his Higher Teacher Certificate (HTC) in Islamic Studies and West African History in 1985. He furthered his degree and post Graduate Diploma studies in English, Linguistics, Biblical and Religious Studies at Fourah Bay College and in 1988 graduated with a B. A. Dip. Ed. He became lucky to study for a master’s degree in Osmanu Dan Fodio, Sokoto Nigeria and became successful. He was then invited to read for his Doctorate in Islamic studies and which he obtained. Opportunity smiled once more to him when he got a year scholarship to read Basic Arabic language translation in the University of Qatar, Qatar, in 2007.
Besides being a prominent preacher and teacher in Sierra Leone for over 45 years, he is now the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education in the Milton Margai Technical University in Goderich, Freetown, Sierra Leone. He has served as the Principal Chief Imam of Jamiul Jalil Themne Central Mosque of Freetown, Sierra Leone for
eight years.
Sierra Leone
Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance and is representing Madame the Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance of Benin Republic.
Ms. Kossoko is graduated from both High School of Social Assistant and Administrative and National school of law, Benin Republic. She capitalizes 27 years’ experience in the field of family protection, gender equality, child protection, promotion and protection of disabled and elderly persons. On May 29, 2019, she has been awarded by the government and received the Title of ‘Knight of the order of Merit’. She has acceptable level in spoken English. She is married and is blessed with five children. Her hobbies are music, sports, traveling.
Benin
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ELIZABETH SUDUE HARRIS is the Assistant Regional Director of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) and is a social worker in Region 1 of Liberia.
Mrs. Harris has earned her master’s in public administration at the University of Liberia with a certificate in Agriculture Statistics in Botwswana, Gaborone.
CONSCIOUS HUMANITY PANELIST, Ataa Nii Kwei Afadi Tetteh was born on 21st September 2002. He had his basic education at the ST. Bernadette Soubirous School then later moved to Akosombo International School where he studied Home Economics, Biology, and General knowledge in Arts (G.K.A)
After school, he had his attachment at the Erata Hotel before taking the Chocolatier Training at Delfi Ventures Cocoa Museum and Chocolate Factory where he was trained by his aunty, Ida Dela Kuekey Austine.
In 2021, he completed a 1-year advanced cooking course at the Accra Technical University and is currently the Chief Chocolatier of Delfi Ventures, makers of De’Laugh Chocolates here in Accra.
He is one of the youngest chocolatiers in Ghana.
APIORKOR SEYIRAM ASHONG-ABBEY is a Ghanaian Poet, Writer/Author, Literary Scholar and Critic, Media Practitioner, TED Speaker, Activist, and Versatile Creative of Ga-Danme and Ewe ancestry.
She is the author of The Matriarch’s Verse (a collection of Poetry, which is available on booknook. store and Amazon, both in Paperback and Kindle editions).
Apiorkor is also the Head of Programmes Production at Accra-based Citi 97.3 FM and Citi TV, where she also hosts Diplomatic License and What’s Cooking? while advocating for the causes of Literacy & Numeracy, appreciation of the Creative Arts & Art business, as well as Culture.
KAFUI DEY presents TV Breakfast, GBC’s weekday morning show where he interviews guests from governance, health, and industry.
He also conducts corporate communication training and teaches an undergraduate course at the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Since 2016 Kafui has been the Goodwill Ambassador for Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
HER EXCELLENCY, DR. ISATOU TOURAY was the Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia. She was part of the Coalition that remove the authoritarian regime for 22 years in the Gambia. Before she was appointed VP, she served as Minister of Trade, Regional Integration, and Employment, and as Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Before her current political engagements, Dr. Touray Co-founded a feminist organization, The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), a leading women’s rights organisation in the fight against FGM, GBV and promoting the effective participation of women in politics and served as the Executive Director.
She holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies, with emphasis on gender and development, from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, KING DR. NII TACKIE TEIKO TSURU II is a 49 year old entrepreneur. He holds an MBA in Strategic Management & Consulting from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), School of Business, an International Business Certificate on culture from KNUST, a certificate in marketing, a certificate in cleaning science in Johannesburg, South Africa, and a Bachelor of Arts from KNUST.
He is the founder of Aenon Artisanal Mining Limited, a small-scale mining company with concessions in Bibiani in the Western Region.He was in 2012 selected as running mate by Mr. Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY) an independent presidential candidate in the 2012 Presidential Election. King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II was also appointed Advisor to the Liberal Studies Department of Kumasi Polytechnic. He also taught entrepreneurship at Kumasi Polytechnic and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
HON. CLAUDIANA AYO COLE, became the Minister for the Basic and Secondary Education Ministry following the inauguration of President Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia in 2017.
Mrs. Cole was a member of the Senior Management Team of the Ministry and as a Regional Education Director, since 2010 prior to her taking up the top office of Minister. She was appointed as a teacher in 1981, Headteacher in 1990 and from 2002 she served as a Senior Education Administrator.
As one of the longest-serving educationists with more than three decades in the educational sector, she is known for her work on education policy reforms and management of education even in hard-to- reach areas of the country.
Mrs. Claudiana A. Cole can be considered as one of the pioneers of the Girls’ education agenda that has brought about parity and inclusive education in The Gambia during the Education for All (EFA) call, and now the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
MR. EKLOU KOFFI AMEN, Child protection overseer in the Togo Association of Children and Young People for the Rights of the Child (AEJT-DE).
Mr. Eklou Koffi holds a bachelor’s degree in contemporary history from the University of Lomé.
Mr. EKLOU is married and is a father of 4 children.
DAKPÈ SOSSOU, Graduated in Territorial Administration at the Administrative Training Center in Brida, Algeria, Dakpè SOSSOU embarked very early on in politics.
Dakpè SOSSOU served in the National Assembly after the legislative elections of 2018 and it is with great commitment that he participates in the parliamentary debates in this8th legislature.
His election to the current position of Second Vice-President of the National Assembly of Benin.
MRS. JOSEPHINE KAFUI TETTEH received a degree in Psychology and an MPHIL in Guidance and Counseling. She owns her own Counseling firm, The Center for Life Balance. She conducts private counseling sessions and conducts workshops on the subject, “Essential Life Education – The Science of Self-Discovery and Life Mastery for Individuals and Corporate Bodies.”
Mrs. Tetteh is also employed as the school’s counselor of St. Bernadette Soubirous school, Dansoman where I run reprogramming models that reorient children into self-awareness and their greatness.
In addition, she is a Court Connected Mediator at the Weija Circuit Court and a Minister of God at the Etherean Mission International, the Center for spiritual empowerment.
ELDER SAMUEL ANNAN-SIMONS was named an Area Seventy and a member of the Third Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2021 general conference. Elder Annan-Simons received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Central University and a Master of Science Development Degree in Finance from the University of Ghana. Since 2005, he has worked for The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in several positions, including Treasury Analyst, MLU Analyst, and Planning Analyst. He currently works as Temple Assistant Recorder.
Elder Annan-Simons has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Ghana Accra Mission, Ward Clerk, Counselor in a Bishopric, Stake Young Men President,
Bishop, High Councilor, and Stake President. Samuel Annan-Simons was born in Sekondi, Ghana, on June 22, 1975. He married Gertrude Theodora Afful in 2006. They are the parents of four children. Elder and Sister Annan-Simons reside in Kasoa, Ghana.
BRO. DR. ISHMAEL TETTEH, Leader and Founder of Etherean Mission/Director for Conscious Humanity – Ghana. Brother Ishmael Tetteh is a spiritual master, whose international presence and message of World Peace over the past 3 years has empowered thousands of lives from Africa to Germany, to the UK, and now the United States.
As founder and spiritual director of the Etherean Mission in Ghana, Brother Ishmael’s charismatic presence has graced the podiums around the world. From the New Thought Alliance in South Africa, the Assoc. for Global New Thought in Palm Springs, to many U.S. churches, organizations television and radio programs throughout the East and West Coast.
In addition to a Special Congressional Award for outstanding and invaluable service throughout the international community, he has been awarded Mayoral Proclamations from the cities of Santa Monica and San Francisco, who have declared April 25th and March 17th as “Brother Ishmael Tetteh Day.”
COULIBALY KALAHIRI GERMAIN is a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in Katiola, a town in northern Côte d’Ivoire. After a master’s degree at the Catholic University of West Africa in Abidjan, he obtained a Doctorate in Catholic Theology with a specialization in Missiology at the University of Strasbourg in France.
Father Kalari has 32 years of priestly experience as a priest and currently practices in Katiola. He created the Center d’Accueil Sainte Généviéve in Katiola to protect abandoned children and to promote their empowerment.
He is the first recipient of Family Values Awards from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
KWAKU SAFORI is a communications enthusiast with over ten years studying and practising in the field of communications. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication studies from the Central University and two Master’s degrees, one in Development Communication, from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, and the other in Business Communication, from the University of Education Winneba.
He is the Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the African Business Centre for Developing Education, an NGO focused on helping the business community to deliver various services to the educational sector, and a Communications Consultant at African Business Communication, an international corporate and marketing communications consultancy firm.
He was formally the International Students Relations Officer at the Pentecost University, a lead liaison, bridging the gap between Management and all international students. He was also a mentor to a cross section of students at the University.
SAM SONI EJEKWU KGS JP is the Honourable Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs in Rivers State of Nigeria.
Sam Soni Ejekwu has obtained Bachelor of Science degree in Human Anatomy from the University of Port Harcourt, Post-Graduate Diploma and Master of Science degrees in Human Resource Management from the Rivers State University, Master of Science degree in Public Health from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Health from the University of Port Harcourt.
Sam Soni Ejekwu, a former banker with First Bank of Nigeria PLC and Chairman of Fieldman Nigeria Limted (a Waste Management outfit) has grown through the ranks in Public Service and the Political Space in Public Service and the Political Space in Rivers State of Nigeria after many years of successful business life. And is currently serving as the Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.
FRANCIS ADDAI-NIMOH Hon Francis Addai-Nimoh is a Ghanaian politician with strong Christian faith background. He is a professional Civil Engineer and has served his country with expertise in both private and public sectors. He, academically, holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and has acquired also diverse professional skills and knowledge, from both local and international institutions.
He served as a Member of Parliament for Mampong Constituency from January 2009 to January 2017, on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He was the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Enviroment, Science and Technology from 2013 to 2017.
In 2014, whilst as a Member of Parliament, he ran for the first time, the Leadership race of the NPP, to become its flagbearer, and to subsequently run for the Presidency of Ghana, but was unsuccessful. An ambition he is still pursuing. Hon Addai-Nimoh is a family man, having been married to his spouse, Stella, for about 28 years. They are blessed with three strong male children . He is a believer in achieving strong family system and values as the basic unit for the development of society.
Elder Patrick Appianti-Sarpong was named an Area Seventy and a member of the Third Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2021 general conference.
Elder Appianti-Sarpong received a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Methodist University College Ghana and a master of research degree in finance from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
He has worked in several positions at the Ghana Missionary Training Center for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including training supervisor and manager of operations.
FRANCIS ADDAI-NIMOH Hon Francis Addai-Nimoh is a Ghanaian politician with strong Christian faith background. He is a professional Civil Engineer and has served his country with expertise in both private and public sectors. He, academically, holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and has acquired also diverse professional skills and knowledge, from both local and international institutions.
He served as a Member of Parliament for Mampong Constituency from January 2009 to January 2017, on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He was the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Enviroment, Science and Technology from 2013 to 2017.
In 2014, whilst as a Member of Parliament, he ran for the first time, the Leadership race of the NPP, to become its flagbearer, and to subsequently run for the Presidency of Ghana, but was unsuccessful. An ambition he is still pursuing. Hon Addai-Nimoh is a family man, having been married to his spouse, Stella, for about 28 years. They are blessed with three strong male children .
I. RAYMOND EGBO, Area Seventy and a member of the Third Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 1, 2017.
Elder Egbo received a bachelor’s degree and an Advanced degree from the University of Calabar, Nigeria and the University of Cumbria, United Kingdom. He is currently the Area Director for the Church Educational System in Africa West Area.
Since joining the Church in 1989, Elder Egbo has served in several Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Nigeria Lagos Mission, counselor in a stake presidency, counselor in a district presidency, high councilor, and mission president (Nigeria Calabar Mission, 2009–2012). He married Comfort Ikip Ese in 2003. They are the parents of two children. Elder and Sister Egbo reside in Abuja, Nigeria
GLORIA ODIMBA is a Principal State Counsel with the Office of the Public Defender, Lagos State, Nigeria, a Human Rights Advocate, and a Child Protection Specialist. A graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, she was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007. Odimba Gloria is a versed Criminal Defense Counsel and a trained Child Justice Administrator who has attended several pieces of training such as the National Institute of Trial Advocacy NITA (USA) Training on Child Justice, and HarvardX training on Child Protection, amongst others.
She has also facilitated and conducted several pieces of training on Criminal Justice Administration and Child Protection/ Rights for Police Officers, Teachers and Teenagers, Churches, and Schools. She volunteers with the Feeders Foundation, An NGO interested in the well-being of children.
CYNTHIA OHEMAA APPIAH, She studied Political Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and did her national service at Ejuratia secondary school as a government teacher. She worked for a cleaning company after national service for a year and then secured a job with an insurance company.
She worked with the insurance company for 5 years after which she resigned to start her own business.
She runs a travel and tour company. In the year 2021, she created a platform on Facebook called Women in Business where other women like herself are given the opportunity to advertise their products and services for free. The main objective is to inspire women to be financially self-sufficient by creating business opportunities and sharing business ideas.
KOBINA ACKON, Known widely by the brand name, Wode Maya is a Ghanaian freelance Vlogger/YouTuber. With a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Shenyang Aerospace University, China, Wode Maya has, over the years been able to create a niche for himself in the area of Social Media Content creation and in a space of a few years; his channel grew in popularity, attracting over 1,000,000 active subscribers and millions of views. He has collaborated with other top YouTubers from Africa and also helped small content creators & Entrepreneurs gain massive exposure.
He has managed to interview a plethora of diplomats, Entrepreneurs and Cultural icons. Notable in this list are Former President of the Republic of Ghana, John Kufuor, Renowned Kenyan Lawyer & Pan-Africanist Prof. PLO Lumumba and more.
Wode Maya is currently working on the Africa to the World Project.
SHEIK DR. MOHAMMED MARZUQ ABUBAKARI, is a lecturer, journalist, and researcher on a wide range of issues in Language, Education, and Religion. He holds a Ph.D. in English as a Second Language (ESL), MA in Adult Education (ESL Specialty), and BFA in TV Production. Schools he attended include the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), University of Ghana, Legon, and Ain Shams University, Egypt. Besides, he is an alumnus of the Oxford University Symposium on Religious Studies.
Dr. Mohammed Marzuq Abubakari is the columnist of LITERARY DISCOURSE on myjoyonline.com and LANGUAGE AGENDA on modernghana.com. In addition, he is the Personal Assistant (PA) to His Eminence the National Chief Imam. Currently, Dr. Mohammed Marzuq Abubakari lectures FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH and ACADEMIC WRITING at the University of Applied Management, Ghana. Besides, he is the Executive Director of the Islamic Peace and Security Council (IPASEC). He is also a member of the Governing Board of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). He is a multilinguist in Arabic, English, and French.
ABOUBACAR DOUCOURE of Mali is a researcher and Islamologist. Mr. Doucoure received his D.E.A in literary criticism: Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah University, Fez- Morocco and a Masters in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies. And is currently a member of Faculty of Islamic Appeal based in Tripoli, Libya, and a Baccalaureate degree in Arabic Language and Literature from Medersa Oummouna Sikasso in Mali.
Mr. Doucoure has been involved in the Formation of the League of Preachers of the Islamic World in the peace building and conflict management; Training in codicology (science of manuscripts); Training for the protection of the manuscripts of Timbuktu; and Training on manuscripts and IT organized by the project; and Training on human rights Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso.
LILLIAN MAUREEN MIASSI is working in the Commercial & New Markets department of an eCommerce company, as a City Launcher.
I also work part-time as a Freelance Translator and Interpreter. I formerly worked as a Sales Consultant in the Bathroom & Interior Design/Renovation industry.
I have studied Languages and have a BA in Translation and Interpreting. Most importantly, I am a child of God and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As a YSA, I strive to use my time wisely, and participate in the gathering place so as to learn and develop skills, resilience, and self-confidence that can help me handle adulthood and prepare me to found my own family one day.”
MADAM SIA FASULUKU is the Director of Research, Planning and Development in the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education. She is a result-oriented manager with extensive experience in sustainable development, with emphasis on West Africa.
Ms. Fasuluku is a proactive team-player who excels at building trusting relationships and believes strongly in empowering others. She is credited for her ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders and manage complex and demanding relationships; excellent proposal writer; proficient in Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Power Point, Access; eloquent public speaker across a variety of audiences from the boardroom to rural village communities; fluent in English and Dutch languages; functionally literate in French.
HON. CHARLES O ESONU is the current commissioner for Youth Development, Abia State Government, Nigeria. Born into a Seventh Day Adventist family, he is a Christian, a Lawyer cum politician in Abia State.
He has served in various capacities until the current office. He is a former Aba North Local Government Chairman, former State Secretary PDP Abia State, former Special Adviser to the State Governor, former member commission of inquiry, former Secretary Actors Guild of Nigeria Abia State chapter, former councilor Aba North.
A lawyer trained at University of Calabar and Nigeria Law school Abuja.He is married with 6 lovely children.
JAMES KWESI ADDISON is Ghana’s first internationally qualified Emotional Intelligence Master Coach. His training was facilitated by the EQ Development Group on behalf of the Multi-Health Systems Incorporated, Canada.
He founded Addison International Canter for Emotional Intelligence (AICEI) which has trained personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Lands Commission, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the Ghana Enterprises Agency, NGOs, and Faith-Based Communities in Ghana to mention but few.
He attended Opoku Ware School and St. Augustine’s College and holds two master’s degrees from Coventry University (MIS) in the UK and the University of Cape Coast (Microfinance) in Ghana and is currently studying master’s in educational studies with the Presbyterian University College, Ghana.
MADAME MARIAMA SÉNABOU SANE born on October 26, 1974, in Dakar, social worker, and head of social services at the Limamou Laye High School in Guédiawaye in the Dakar region.
Since 2018 I have been working at the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender, and Protection of Vulnerable Groups in the Directorate of Family and Protection of Vulnerable Groups as responsible for monitoring vulnerable groups.
REV. PROF. CHARLES ANUM ADAMS is an Associate Professor of Transport Planning and Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST). He is the Centre Leader and Director of the World Bank-financed Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE), Regional Transport Research and Education Centre Kumasi (TRECK), and the Centre leader of the Centre for Sub Saharan Transport leadership (CSSTL).
He is a professional civil engineer and the current president of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE). He is a member of the International Road Federation, World Road Association, and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) research network scholar.
Charles is a civil engineering graduate of KNUST and studied transport at University College London/ Imperial College, London, UK. He is a member of the Technical Committee of the Southern African Transport Conference.
