Bernard K. Acquaye is an international information and communications technology specialist and entrepreneurial leader with expertise spanning 15 years across multiple countries in Africa, Germany, and other OECD countries. Bernard has world-class competencies in object-oriented design, software development, computer programming, database design and implementation, and UX transformations to drive performance across the business landscape. Bernard has an internationally proven record of bringing complex, multidimensional, projects to completion, through skilled navigation of multiple stakeholder interests, firm budget control, effective mentorship of frontline managers, and high quality design of processes and controls. A typical project involved the overseeing the re-architecting of an end to end financial enterprise management platform for an international financial institution, capturing every discrete function, from front-office, credit, reconciliation and customer response to treasury, accounting and security. Putting this diverse skillset to optimum use, Bernard’s expertise has streamlined out-of-control large-scale, biometric, identification platforms in Sierra Leone; redesigned senior management cyber awareness programs in Mozambique; and restored failing government financial control software back to functionality in Ghana. Bernard has been a principal consultant of Quipu, a global IT solutions company, since 2008, with ultimate line responsibility for multiple regional operations and the technical excellence organisation. Prior to that he was the leader in the technical organisation of a major Sybase contractor deploying the US tech giant’s systems for regional markets. Bernard has a degree in Computer Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology and European management training diplomas, as well as several certifications.
Kevin Keith Kwakofi read geography and political science at the University of Ghana, where he developed a strong interest in geographic sensing systems, applying his early interest in computing to solving development related problems. Kevin has nearly two decades of experience in the technology industry, spanning sectors ranging from insurance, automotive, health IT and communications, to human capital management, resource administration and interactive digital advertising. Kevin has extensive digital-creative and brand activation experience, acquired working on some of the most challenging briefs possible requiring attention to a wide array of budget, timeline/deadline, revenue model, and security, considerations. He has worked on large-scale system configuration and networking projects for such demanding clients as the University of Ghana, the Ghana Health Service and Business Ghana, the media conglomerate.
Sharon Kaawaa Daplah was educated at the University of Ghana, where she obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology (concentrations included ‘industrial’ and ‘organisational behaviour’) and African Studies (with specialisations in gender and development), respectively. She has nurtured over a decade of study and practice a deep and passionate interest in talent development and management, and in particular how organizational systems amplify the value of talent to businesses. She deployed her knowledge at VisionQuest in New Jersey, USA, helping youth facilities better manage the process of reform for children and young people with psychological and behavioural risk profiles. Beyond the human resource domain, she has skills in credit risk management, credit assessment, and credit modelling as a result of decision-making roles at a major financial institution. A life-long research enthusiast, Sharon has led the Gender Horizon Group since 2014; built data models, designed, and executed complex research operations for the leading West African security research institute (the KAIPTC); conducted paralegal research for Ghana’s leading law firm (Bentsi-Enchill); and, as the Resource Centre Manager, helped the Youth Employment Summit establish a UNDP-funded, customer service oriented, youth employability program. Sharon also has experience working in the media, having chaperoned what was at one point the leading talk show production company in Ghana, Channel Two Communications. An ardent humanitarian, her most rewarding work has been with leper colonies in Ghana.
Samuel Obeng has built elaborate software products in a dozen languages and is comfortable deploying systems on top of all major operating systems. He graduated with a degree in Computer Science from Ashesi University, where he was the Lee Nusich Fellow. His first research paper at Ashesi won the Freshman award for its blend of historiography with political analysis. His primary focuses were however in semantic web technologies and robotics. He designed and configured an autonomous robotic system with machine learning navigational capabilities. His work with the Mozilla Lab group combined human ergonomics and intuitive UX to enhance smartphone touchscreen applications. He has worked at Schlumberger Seaco, Payhub Ghana Limited, and interned at PwC, where he was part of a team that developed a process operational manual for Ghana’s leading energy utilities company. Samuel also has entrepreneurial experience, and capital project development experience, most recently as part of a team that developed the market entry strategy and commercial model for an international telemedicine promoter. He is an active hobbyist, whose pastimes range from videography, volunteering for autistic children support programs, and emergency first aid responding.