Benjamin Boakye is an Energy Governance Professional and the Executive Director at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy.

Prior to becoming the Executive Director, he served as the Deputy Executive Director, Programmes Director and Operations Director, managing the research unit and the programmes unit.

He has made contributions to the extractive sector governance in Ghana and in Africa, with much focus on corporate governance, institutional development, fiscal governance, contract governance and the evolution of legal framework for the effective management of extractive resources. He has also consulted for the World Bank Group, UNDP, and many research institutions in the resource sector.

Benjamin has delivered presentations at various international conferences on the extractive sector, particularly on revenue generation and expenditure. He works with host communities, analyzing the communities’ issues relative to the development of extractives’ projects and revenue redistribution. He also has extensive experience on power sector reforms.

Benjamin holds an MSc. from the University of Dundee, UK in Energy Studies and BA (Hons.) in Sociology with Information Studies from the University of Ghana.

Prior to joining ACEP, Kodzo was a Program Assistant, Policy Influencing and Advocacy at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI).

His research interests include Natural Resource for Inclusive Growth and Development, Sustainable Energy Access and Political Economy of Resource Management.

He holds a Masters in Economic Policy Management from the University of Ghana.

Charles spearheads research and advocacy initiatives focusing on various aspects of the climate change and energy transition landscape, such as the economics of the energy transition, the solar PV value chain, clean cooking, and methane management in Africa’s oil and gas sector. His expertise also extends to diverse projects in the extractive industry, covering topics like natural gas demand and supply dynamics in Ghana, local participation in the oil and gas sector, local labor absorption in Ghana’s extractive industry, and gender-responsive budgeting in mining-affected communities.

Charles’ research interests revolve around risk mitigation and investment decisions related to both utility-scale and small-scale renewable energy technologies in Africa. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Finance, with a specialization in Renewable Energy Investments, from the University of Ghana Business School.  Additionally, Charles holds a master’s degree in Operations Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Mathematics, both earned at the University of Ghana.

Maybel is an extractive and energy professional with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics, from the University of Ghana. She leads the implementation of multi-donor projects in the energy and extractive industries on behalf of ACEP.

Her interest areas include optimizing extractive resources for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in Africa, promoting gender diversity in natural resource governance, and the differential impact of the energy transition on citizens.

Nana Akuamoah Darteh holds a BSc. in Business Administration and ABE/UK Business Management Advanced Diploma/Postgraduate.

Before joining ACEP in 2015, Nana was a Teaching Assistant with the Accounting Department at Pentecost University College.

Nana specializes in inventory management, budgeting, customer service management and transactions monitoring when it comes to developing projects. He has a wealth of experience in financial reporting and possesses strong analytical skills that has made him valuable to the ACEP team.

Most importantly, he is a visionary. He has the ability to see what others cannot see. His advantage has always been the ability to have a picture in his mind of exactly the result ACEP intends to achieve.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting), George is currently pursuing an MBA degree in Oil and Gas Management at the University of Cape Coast. He had his National Service at the Department of Finance – University of Cape Coast, as an Administrative Assistant. He also worked as an Assistant Supply Officer at the Abura-Dunkwa District Hospital.

Deborah holds a Diploma in Statistics, with proven data collection, analysis, and office administrative skills.

Before joining ACEP, she worked at Bureau of Market and Social Research (MSR) as a Data Analyst, Vodafone Ghana as an Inventory Officer, and Ghana Revenue Authority as a Field Officer.

Roselyn previously worked as a Treasury and Tax Analyst with Tullow Ghana Limited. Her interests are research, policy analysis, policy advocacy, and promoting gender equality and good governance. She is also enthusiastic about promoting the interest, rights and welfare of women and children in society. Roselyn holds a master’s in social policy studies and research from the University of Ghana.

Gifty holds an MPhil in Finance from the University of Ghana Business School. She also has an Advanced Anti Money Laundering and Financial Crime Investigation certificate from the Enterprise Risk Management Institute.

Prior to joining ACEP, she worked as a Teaching Assistant with the Finance department at the University of Ghana Business School. She also interned with the Card Services and Human Resource departments at Ecobank PLC.

Betty is a Land Economist and a development planning professional with a Master of Science degree in Development Policy and Planning from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She is enthusiastic about policy research, policy advocacy, individual and institutional capacity building, and social and economic development.

Before joining ACEP, Betty worked as a Program Officer (Land Administration and Estate Management Services) with VEKSTRAT Company Limited and as a Program Officer with Community Land and Development Foundation. She is working to develop her expertise in the renewable energy space and contribute to meaningful conversations on climate action, energy transition and the extractive industry.

Rosemond holds a bachelor’s in environmental science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Before joining ACEP, she worked as a research assistant at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) head office in Accra. Keenly interested in the sustainability of the environment, Rosemond hopes to contribute more to research and policy advocacy towards responsible natural resource extraction that minimizes ecological damage and ensures the protection of biodiversity.

Derek is a Creative Marketer and Designer with experience in helping businesses and personal brands communicate their value through storytelling, design, and digital transformation. At ACEP, he contributes to communicating complex policy ideas with clarity and impact, strengthening engagement with citizens, donors, policymakers, and other stakeholders. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Russian.

Elfreda is a Communication Strategist, Researcher, and Writing Consultant. She holds an MPhil in English and a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from the University of Ghana. Prior to joining ACEP, she founded RIGHTEXT Writing Hub, which supports students and professionals with research and academic writing. She has over a decade of experience as a writing consultant and has served as a Lecturer and Academic Advisor at Lancaster University Ghana, as well as an Adjunct Lecturer at Valley View University and Palm University College. Elfreda is passionate about translating resource governance advocacy into compelling storytelling that enhances public understanding and promotes inclusion in the extractive minerals sector.

Anna Grace is a lawyer and an alumna of ACEP’s Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program (Cohort 7). She holds an LL.M in Law of Mineral and Petroleum Extraction and Use from the University of Cape Town, where she conducted comparative research on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing extractive sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Before joining ACEP, she worked as a Research Assistant at M-Innovation in Tanzania and as a Teaching Assistant in Mineral Law in Africa Department at the University of Cape Town. Having studied and worked across three African countries, Anna is keen on how regional collaboration can help African States share insights and address common challenges in the energy and extractives sectors.

Marrion Apio is a Chartered Accountant. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Makerere University Business School and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), as well as Certified Public Accountant (CPA)–Uganda certification.

She is currently the Acting Executive Director at Global Rights Alert, Uganda, leading strategy implementation, partnerships and stakeholder engagement, program oversight, change management, organizational transformation, and strategic direction in Uganda’s governance and extractive sector. She has also served as Head of Finance and Operations at Global Rights Alert, leading financial management and reporting, resource mobilization and utilization, operations, organizational sustainability, and public impact

Jerry Thoya Iha is a lawyer with experience in corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, with a particular interest in the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the mining and extractive sectors. He holds an LL.M. in International Business Law and an LL.B. (Hons) from Middlesex University and has worked on matters involving corporate governance, regulatory compliance, commercial transactions and mining sector regulation.

His professional experience has given him exposure to the legal and regulatory dimensions of resource development in Africa, including matters affecting mining companies, corporate structures and regulatory obligations. He is particularly interested in how effective legal and policy frameworks can promote responsible resource development, strengthen governance and ensure that Africa’s natural resources contribute meaningfully to sustainable economic development.

Sharon Asenso is a Climate and Sustainability Professional with a background in Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Her work and interests focus on understanding the links between environmental and development challenges, with an emphasis on mitigating climate risks, strengthening adaptation, and building resilience.

Before joining ACEP, she worked as a Programme Assistant at the British High Commission, Accra, where she gained experience in climate and development policy. She has also been involved in youth-led initiatives on climate change and has contributed to international climate processes, including COP28, where she represented Ghana as a youth negotiator on adaptation and loss and damage.

At ACEP, Sharon is part of the Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Programme, where she is strengthening her expertise in resource governance and the policy, economic, and environmental dimensions of natural resource management. Her work is driven by a belief that effective climate action and responsible resource governance are essential to achieving sustainable development.

Janice holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Resource Development. Prior to joining ACEP, she was a Teaching and Research Assistant at the Department of Geography and Resource Development at the University of Ghana. Deeply motivated by the power of data driven governance to create equitable change, her interest lies in making use of research and geospatial analytics to transform spatial data into sustainable resource governance strategies while ensuring inclusivity.

Peter Boateng is a NextGen Leader at ACEP. Prior to joining the programme, he served as a Programme Assistant Intern at the West African Research and Innovation Hub- FCDO, where he contributed to work on science, technology, and innovation policy.

Peter has had a fulfilling experience supporting the development and launch of Ghana’s National Research Fund and National AI Strategy, as well as Nigeria’s Research and Development Fund. He has also contributed to initiatives aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity to report on science, technology, and innovation.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Resource Development with Political Science from the University of Ghana. Peter specialises in the use of geospatial systems and data-driven approaches to generate evidence-based analysis that supports informed policymaking and resource governance.

Scholastica is an Environmental and Climate Policy professional with an MSc in Integrated Environmental Management and experienced across clean energy, environmental governance, environmental and social safeguards, and sustainable development. Her work focuses on advancing practical and inclusive approaches to energy and climate challenges, with experience contributing to clean cooking transition initiatives and broader efforts to strengthen sustainable development outcomes.

Her interests lie at the intersection of energy access, clean cooking, climate policy, climate finance, and just energy transitions, with a particular interest in how effective policy, governance, and financing can accelerate Africa’s transition toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development

Damilola Olowookere works on energy access deployment, market facilitation, and concessional finance design in Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector. Based in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, his work spans energy solution facilitation and pre-development studies for rural and coastal communities, off-grid energy funds management, and technical assistance to both energy developers and host community development trusts across multiple states.

Damilola’s interests lie at the intersection of energy finance, policy, market development, and natural resource governance, with a focus on Nigeria’s and Africa’s off-grid energy landscape. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti and is completing a Master of Engineering in Energy Access and Renewable Energy Technology at the University of Port Harcourt. He is also the founder of Lenna Energy Tech Ltd, a Nigerian energy technology startup focused on data-driven approaches to energy access.

Leslie Vanelle Modjom Kuate is a civil engineer specializing in sustainable infrastructure, energy transition, and transport decarbonization. She holds a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the National Advanced School of Public Works in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Prior to joining Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), she was selected as a Future Africa Scholar, where she conducted policy-oriented research and developed evidence-based recommendations to accelerate the adoption of electric motorcycles in Kenya. Her work focused on regulatory frameworks, innovative financing models, and energy systems integration to scale clean mobility solutions.

She previously served as a Transport Trainee Consultant with the World Bank Group, contributing to transport infrastructure projects in Burkina Faso and Togo. She is particularly driven to contribute to projects that deliver tangible improvements in people’s daily lives and expand access to safe, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure.

Louis is a public health professional, researcher, and communications practitioner with interests spanning health communication, research, branding, and leadership development. He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, UHAS, where his research on patient-provider communication and treatment adherence at Volta Regional Hospital strengthened his interest in the role of communication in shaping health outcomes.

He is the Founder and Executive Director of Built To Last Institute for Leadership, a youth leadership development organization, where he leads its strategic, creative, and operational work, including organizational strategy, brand development, and the BTL Conversation, a monthly leadership webinar series.

His professional interests include public health research, health communication, evidence translation, strategic communication, and leadership development, with a long-term goal of contributing to healthier communities and stronger systems through evidence, communication, creativity, and leadership.