EDEM AGBE
EDEM AGBE (Managing Director)
Edem Agbe is the Managing Director of Participatory Development Associates (PDA). Edem is an experienced development practitioner with professional experience in the fields of community development, research, monitoring and evaluation, project management policy analysis, financial inclusion and organisation development. Prior to his appointment as the Managing Director, Edem worked as the Ghana country coordinator for the Youth Forward initiative Learning Partnership led by Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Participatory Development Associates (PDA) and Development Research and Training (DRT), Uganda. The Youth Forward initiative is in partnership with MasterCard Foundation and is being implemented by 28 organisations in Ghana and Uganda to create sustainable employment and economic opportunities for youth in Construction and Agriculture sectors.
HELEN NTI
HELEN NTI (Deputy Managing Director)
Helen is the Deputy Managing Director of PDA and was one of PDA’s first employees, joining the organisation in 2001. She joined the Board in September 2012. Helen has worked for PDA for 15 years, serving as Administrative and Finance Manager before assuming her current role in August 2016. Since joining PDA in 2001, she has played an integral role in the finance, human resource and administrative functions of the organisation. Helen is currently based in PDA’s Kumasi office and is in charge of managing the administrative and financial issues of the company’s Accra and Kumasi offices. She also has an oversight responsibility over the management of PDA enterprises. Helen holds an MA in Human Resource Management and a B. Ed Arts from the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
CLEMENT SEFA-NYARKO
CLEMENT SEFA-NYARKO (Research, Evaluation and Learning Manager)
He also presented a paper on the creation of collective memory in post-conflict societies at the international Summer School at the George Eckert Institute of international Textbook Research in Germany. Clement worked as a visiting scholar at the Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town, where he was involved in archival search to appraise security sector reforms in post-apartheid South Africa.
He has won a number of fellowships and scholarships. Prior to his engagement in conflict and security discourses, he assisted in other research activities, including anthropological and gender-based research at the Institute of Cross-Cultural Studies (TICSS) in Tamale. He completed a second Master of Arts at the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana whilst his first Master of Arts was in Conflict, Security and Development, obtained at King’s College London, University of London. He is located in the Accra office.
ALEXANDER AFRAM (Programme Coordinator)
ALEXANDER AFRAM (Programme Coordinator)
Alex has 5 years local and international experience in research and consultancy in development related assignments focusing on poverty reduction, decentralisation, education, health and climate change. He combines both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and is familiar with the use of statistical/analytical tools such as SPSS, STATA, and NVivo.
Since joining PDA in November 2016, Alex has successfully worked on many research and evaluation projects, including Root Capital’s Impact Evaluation of Agribusiness Enterprises in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, Challenging Height’s Child Forced Early Marriage in fishing communities in Ghana, University of Bath’s Qualitative Impact Protocol (QUIP) in the Upper West region of Ghana, British Council’s Connecting Classrooms 3 evaluation in Ghana and Free The Slaves’ Growing Up Free baseline evaluation in fishing communities in Ghana.
RAYMOND HODOR
RAYMOND HODOR (Assistant Programmes Coordinator, REL)
Raymond leads and coordinates projects in the Research, Evaluation and Learning (REL) unit at Participatory Development Associate (PDA). He has worked in various sectors (education, agriculture, financial inclusion, social accountability, health etc) with local and international partners which include but not limited to AfriKids-Ghana, Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Bath, UNICEF, Tony’s Chocoloney, EdTech Hub and Mastercard Foundation. Raymond holds a bachelor degree and a Master of Philosophy degree in Economics from University of Ghana Legon.
VICTORIA AMPIAH
VICTORIA AMPIAH (Senior Project Officer, REL)
Her research expertise includes conducting in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, Key Informant interviews and surveys across different socio-economic settings with a focus on women and children. She is familiar with the use of statistical/analytical tools such as SPSS, MAXQDA and NVivo. Victoria is passionate about issues concerning community development, poverty alleviation, women and child health, gender equality and social inclusion, organizational safeguarding, livelihood empowerment of young people and marginalized groups. She has been involved in consultancy services for various institutions including: MasterCard Foundation, Free the Slaves (FTS), Tony’s Chocoloney, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), British Council, Oxford Policy Management (OPM), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), University of Sheffield (UK), Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Callund Limited.
Victoria holds an MPhil Sociology and B.A Sociology and Social Work degrees from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
GADDIEL MENSAH YAMOAH
GADDIEL MENSAH YAMOAH (Project Officer, Advocacy and Communications)
ERNEST ADU OWUSU
ERNEST ADU OWUSU (Project Officer, REL)
Ernest served as a Research Assistant on the Cities and Climate Change Project carried out by the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) of the University of Ghana, Legon in 2018, where he handled quantitative data analysis for the project’s district-level dissemination and data management for scientists on the project. Since joining PDA in September 2019, he has provided technical support on a number of projects, including assisting with the formative evaluation of the IDH-GAIN’s Cocoa Nutrition Innovation intervention in cocoa growing communities in Ghana, Tony’s Chocoloney Needs Assessment among others. In addition, Ernest has programmed a number of tools such as IDH’s Cocoa Nutrition initiative monitoring tool for data collection in Cote d’Ivoire and UNICEF’s child protection assessment in Ghana, among others. Ernest holds both an MPhil and a BA in Economics from the University of Ghana.
LUCY OFORI-DAVIS
LUCY OFORI-DAVIS (Senior Project Officer, REL)
Prior to joining PDA, Lucy worked as research assistant on internationally funded projects with the School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon and an IDRC funded project in collaboration with the University of Ghana. She served as a teaching and research assistant in the 2015/2016 academic year with the Department of Economics, KNUST. She is able to combine both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and is conversant with the use of STATA and SPSS, with expertise in data collection, cleaning and analysis.
Lucy holds an MPhil in Economics and a BA in Economics both from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
SETH KWADWO OPPONG
SETH KWADWO OPPONG (Project Officer, ACU)
Seth is a hardworking and a goal oriented person who hopes to achieve perfection in whatever he does. He is with the Advocacy and Communications Unit (ACU) in PDA holding a Bachelors degree in Communication Design from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
VICTORIA AMPAH
VICTORIA AMPAH (Senior Finance Officer)
CHRIS EMPSON YEBOAH (C.A.)
CHRIS EMPSON YEBOAH (C.A.) (Senior Finance Officer)
Chris joined PDA as a service person in August, 2016 after obtaining a Bachelor of Science and Communication (BSc) in Accounting at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA). He is also a chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG). He championed his group project work as a group leader for the award of the BSc. certificate. Chris also worked with ICAG as an intern at the Finance Department. He has also worked as a Logistic Personnel at Mayfair Estate Dev’t Ltd. He has an extensive background and knowledge in Accounting.
ANDREWS ANIAH ADUNMOLEGA
ANDREWS ANIAH ADUNMOLEGA (Assistant Project Officer)
Andrews holds a Diploma in Community Development from Rural Development College in Kwaso, and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Development at the College for Community and Organizational Development (CCOD) in Sunyani.
PATRICK ASIHENE DWAMENA
PATRICK ASIHENE DWAMENA (Assistant Project Officer)
An experienced development practitioner with an appreciable knowledge in field activities (Community Development). Before joining the PDA team as a field officer in July 2018, Patrick worked with Care International (International NGO) and Optimal Change Partnership (Local NGO) in similar projects.
Patrick holds an HND in Journalism and Marketing from Institute of Business Management & Journalism (IBM&J) in Kumasi.
KWAKU ABORAH JUNIOR
KWAKU ABORAH JUNIOR (IT Assistant)
STELLA TAKYI
STELLA TAKYI (Secretarial Support Personnel)
GODSWAY DZATO
GODSWAY DZATO (Assistant Finance and Administrative Officer)
BREH JIMAH
BREH JIMAH (Assistant Administrative Officer)
CHARLES KWADWO ANOKYE
CHARLES KWADWO ANOKYE (Assistant Administrative Officer)
PETER ANNOR MENSAH
PETER ANNOR MENSAH (Assistant Project Officer, ACU)
Since he joined PDA, Peter has been involved in a number of projects including Mastercard Foundation’s Youth Forward Initiative, Public Sector Watch Initiative funded by STAR Ghana Foundation, and he is the lead person on PDA’s child abuse tracking. His interest spans in areas of development research and policy analysis, youth development, rural and community development, and child protection.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work with Sociology from the University of Ghana.
ASEDA MENSAH
ASEDA MENSAH ( Senior Project Officer)
She is committed to social entrepreneurship, and strives to live and work with a personal ethos of integrity, hard work, and professionalism as she seeks to play a meaningful role in impacting vulnerable individuals and communities.
DAVID ESHUN
DAVID ESHUN ( Senior Project Officer)
Before joining PDA, David worked as a Field Credit Officer with the Microfinance Department of Nyakrom Rural Bank Ltd. He has an experience in managing Agroforestry projects notable among them is the National Forest Plantation Development Programme and is passionate about Sustainable development, climate change, renewable energy and environmental protection. He has completed a Massive Open Online Course on National Adaptation Plans: Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture and has been trained in Forest Plantation Development and Management.
David has an MSc degree in Economics (Energy and Natural Resource Economics) and a BSc degree in Natural Resources Management both from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He has co-authored a journal article in the Indian Academy of Wood Science Journal.
LOUIS AHOIN MENSAH
LOUIS AHOIN MENSAH (Field Officer)
Louis joined PDA in March 2021 as a field officer on the Nyonkopa Child Labour Remediation Project.
Before assuming the position as a field officer, Louis had worked with PDA as a Research Associate on the Youth Forward Project, and taught as a classroom teacher at Saviour Educational Complex. He also worked with Solidaridad West Africa (SWA) as a community facilitator, district data entry clerk and a district Youth Savings and Loans Association (YSLA) coordinator on the MASO project.
Louis is currently a Level 300 student pursuing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in Basic Education at the University of Education, Winneba through the distance learning programme. He is very passionate about the development of young people and climate change.
ARNOLD KWESI BEDIAKO
ARNOLD KWESI BEDIAKO (Assistant Programmes Coordinator, REL)
In recent times, Arnold has been involved in several assessments including research and impact evaluations for different clients such as Mastercard Foundation, World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, African Development Bank among others. Among such projects include Rapid Assessment of Mastercard Foundation’s Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery Programs in Ghana; Evaluation of Community Led Total Sanitation program in selected communities in Central Region; Baseline Studies under Greater Accra Sustainable Sanitation and Livelihood Improvement Project; Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) studies under the GAMA Sanitation and Water supply project; and Beyond Beans’ Community Needs Assessment in Juaso and Konongo Districts. Arnold has also worked with various vulnerable groups including children, women and youth through implementation of livelihood interventions. He has deep knowledge of Participatory Appraisal approaches and has played leading role in building capacities at the national, district and community levels. He has competencies in stakeholder engagements and analysis, project planning, implementation and coordination as well as the use of Statistical and data management Apps such as SPSS, KOBO/ODK and Insyt. He holds an Mphil in Development studies and Bsc in Psychology.
BASHIRU SEIDU
BASHIRU SEIDU (Field Officer)
He joined PDA in April 2021 as a field officer on the Barry Callebaut Nyonkopa Child Labor Remediation Program. He has since then successfully helped the team achieve many targets ranging from the creation and management of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), helping communities to develop Community Action Plans (CAP), and managing over 800 child labor cases across 5 administrative districts in Ghana.
He completed a community-driven University, the University for Development Studies (UDS), where he studied and obtained a Bachelor of Art in Integrated Management Studies.
PRINCE AMANKWAH PEPRAH
PRINCE AMANKWAH PEPRAH (Field Officer)
Prior to joining PDA, he worked with the Department of Agriculture (Kwaebibirem Municipal) as a national service person and was elected as the organizing secretary for the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) in the municipality. Peprah also had an internship with MDK Ghana Flowers and Greens. He has vast experience in crop and pig production.
Peprah is ardent about the development and the well-being of young people in Ghana, especially people living in deprived areas. He is a man of integrity and discipline who is committed to work.
GUIDE ELEFO GADRI
GUIDE ELEFO GADRI (Field Officer)
IGNATIUS BOADI
IGNATIUS BOADI (Senior Project Officer, REL)
With a BSc degree in Statistics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ignatius has expertise in the use of statistical methods and tools in analyzing and visualizing data. He also has an MSc degree in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Cape Coast and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Ghana, where he focused on Graph Theory and Machine Learning.
CHARLES SELORM DEKU
CHARLES SELORM DEKU (Project Officer, REL)
He has worked as a Teaching Assistant and Graduate Assistant at the Department of Sociology and Social Work, KNUST. In addition, he worked in diverse capacities on projects such as Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Assessment (LEAP) Ghana, the summative evaluation of the UNICEF / Government of Ghana’s Child Protection Programme, and the Growing Up Free Project with different organisations.
GABRIEL OPOKU-ANTWI
GABRIEL OPOKU-ANTWI (Project Officer, REL)
As a Research Assistant, he has for the past 5 years worked with the Bureau of Integrated Rural Development (BIRD), KNUST-Kumasi on several research projects of monitoring, evaluation, assessment, and baseline surveys for international and local organizations. He has the skills to use modern software like ODK KoboCollect to design instruments for data collection and the capacity to lead a team to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. Gabriel holds an MSc in Development Planning and Management and a BA in Geography and Rural Development both from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
VANESSA AZELUKA AGRIWIE
VANESSA AZELUKA AGRIWIE (Project Officer)
Vanessa has a hunger for creative challenges and believes in the ability of research to make change. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Planning from the University for Development Studies and is in her final year studying towards a Master of Science degree in Development Policy and Planning in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
ABDALLAH YAKUBU
ABDALLAH YAKUBU (Field Officer)
Abdallah Yakubu joined PDA in 2021 as a field officer for the Kasapin and Goaso sector.
Zingle Belaune Patricia
Zingle Belaune Patricia (Assistant Administrative Officer)
Kennedy Ankomah Boadu
Kennedy Ankomah Boadu (Logistics Assistant)
Rhoda Takyiwaa Boakye
Project Officer (Research, Evaluation and Learning)
Rhoda Takyiwaa Boakye (Project Officer, REL)
I am a trustworthy and sincere professional with the capacity to take on tasks and inject vigour into team projects. I am also dedicated to reaching excellence in all endeavours, diligent and fast to pick things up, with great analytical and critical thinking capabilities.
I worked as a project assistant for the Making Every Baby Count Initiative (MEBCI 2.0) with AYA Collective (Accra) prior to joining PDA. I have also been a part of a number of research projects at the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), including studies on Traditional Methods of Contraception (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), MOC Study, IPAS Project, Adolescent Smoking Survey (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), and Examining the Transition to Adulthood in Urban Poor Context (Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (ORID)). In addition, I worked as a regional community representative for DKT International Inc.
At the University of Ghana (Legon), I studied Economics, Geography, and Resource Development for my first degree. I then completed my National Service in the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, where I was tasked with working in the LEAP Program Office, which promotes livelihood empowerment against poverty. At the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, I continued to improve my education with a Master of Arts in Population Studies.
I currently work as a Project Officer in the Research, Evaluation and Learning Unit.