EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PROF DORA FRANCISCA EDU-BUANDOH
Professor Dora Edu-Buandoh is an educationist, a motivational speaker and a mentor to many young men and women. She was appointed the first female Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 2019 and she served a term which ended in December 2021. Before then, she had served as the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies; the Dean of the Faculty of Arts; the Head of the Department of English, and the Coordinator for the Communicative Skills Programme, all in the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. In her administrative positions, she enhanced the image of the University and brought innovation into all activities she initiated. She also served as the Coordinator for UCC-Guilford College Study Abroad Programme and was the link for the UCC-University of Birmingham Exchange programme
Over the years, Prof Edu-Buandoh, has shown great interest in the lives of the youth that she teaches and youth groups that she motivates and mentors, both in her church and in schools. She is a philanthropist and a keen supporter of female education. Her focus has been in supporting young female students financially to complete tertiary education and mentoring them to acquire leadership skills.
She holds a PhD from the University of Iowa, USA; an MPhil and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Cape Coast, a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, a Teachers’ Certificate ‘A’ from Komenda Training College, and a Diploma in Education from University of Cape Coast. She was a participant in a DAAD-sponsored International Deans’ Course for Higher Education Management, the Galilee International Management Institute Diploma in Higher Education Management programme, and the King Baudouin Foundation United States (KBFUS) programme for grant sourcing and gifting, among others.
Dora is a Fulbright scholar, a member of the International Federation of University Women (UCC Chapter) and the University of Cape Coast Women Caucus. She has been a patroness of many youth organisations including the Girls and Boys Brigade; UCC What Do You Know Club; Association of Visually Challenged Students, UCC; Oda Secondary School Old Students Association, UCC Branch; Atlantic Hall Ladies Association, UCC and ARS, UCC Chapter.
Her sterling leadership skills contributed to her appointment as the Chair of the Article 71 Presidential Committee on Emoluments (Ghana) in 2016.
DIRECTOR
DR PATRICK KWAKU OFORI
Patrick Kwaku Ofori (PhD) is the Chief Executive of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distribution (CBOD). He is a Chartered Sports and Exercise Psychologist and an experienced Management Executive with a varied background spanning Higher Education, Research, Human Resource Management, Corporate Social Investment, Regulatory & Compliance, Lobbying, Government and Stakeholder Relations and Crude Oil Marketing and Trading.
Patrick has partnered institutions, such as the British Council, to explore the potential of providing education for the youth. He has also assisted Sporting and Non-Governmental Institutions to adopt and enhance compliance and governance structures within their organisations. He coaches young men and women in career, academic and social development.
Dr. Ofori is a Commonwealth Scholar He holds a Doctoral Degree in Sport Psychology from the University of Stirling, UK and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Loughborough University, UK. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with Sociology and an MSc in Accounting & Finance, both from the University of Ghana.
DIRECTOR
FIIFI EDU-AFFUL (PhD)
Fiifi Edu-Afful (PhD) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). He was an Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Political Science at Rhodes University, University of Professional Studies (Ghana) and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC). He has nearly 12 years’ experience authoring, teaching and facilitating on conflict, peace and security. Between 2013 and 2014, he served as an Advisory Team Member for the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN peacekeeping. He has also served as a lead facilitator and consultant for the African Centre for the Study & Research on Terrorism (ACSRT/CAERT) and has been a specialist on KAIPTC courses on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) in Fragile, Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations. He is a 2013 laureate for the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Dakar Senegal. He is currently undertaking research on inclusive peacebuilding and peacekeeping exit frameworks, Domestic Security Implication of UN peacekeeping, improving Response Capacities to Terrorism in Peacekeeping Theatres in Africa and Sexual Violence against Men and Boys in Conflict.
Affiliate DIRECTOR
HILDA ADDAH
With 13 years experience in development work, Hilda Addah is a passionate believer in sustainable circular economy through the lense of community development. Hilda Addah is co-founder of Asase Foundation, a waste management organisation with focus on flexible plastic packaging recycling. She is also the founder of Beyond The Goal Post. sports for development organisation working with children and young adults to reach their full potentials. Hilda is a serial entrepreneur who's businesses include shea butter processing, plantation agriculture and aquaculture.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree from University of Cape Coast and masters degree in adult education from University of Ghana.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
ARABA BAIDEN, ChPA
Ms. Araba Baiden is a Development Administrator and currently a Junior Assistant Registrar at the University of Cape Coast. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants (CIAMC). She served as the Personal Assistant to the former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast.
Ms. Baiden holds an M.Phil. in Development Studies from the University of Cape Coast. She has also completed a Professional Leadership Empowerment Academy of the School of Management of the University at Buffalo, United States of America. Ms. Baiden is a dynamic lady who is result-oriented, has good time management skills and loves acquiring knowledge and new skills. Her personal philosophy is, “Anything and everything is possible if you put your mind to it”.
SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD
LEEZA-VIVYAN ABOAGYE-YEBOAH, PACE
LeeZa-Vivyan Aboagye-Yeboah is an Administrative Professional, a Microsoft Office Specialist, and an M.Phil. (Communication Studies) candidate at the University of Cape Coast. She is a certified member (Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence–PACE) of the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) and currently serves as an Executive Assistant to the Director of Finance of the University of Cape Coast.
Aboagye-Yeboah is a mentor, coach, motivational speaker, philanthropist, and a passionate advocate for public speaking and presentation skills for young adults. She loves to hold training workshops for young adults, engage in public-spirited activities, swim or play tennis during her leisure time.
Aboagye-Yeboah holds a baccalaureate in Management Studies from the University of Cape Coast and an Alumna of Ghana National College. She has also completed a Professional Leadership Empowerment Academy of the School of Management of the University at Buffalo, USA.
RESEARCH LEAD
DR KWESI QUAGRAINE
Kwesi Quagraine (PhD) is a Lecturer at the Department of Physics, University of Cape Coast and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. As well as being a climate researcher and an environmental consultant, he has a variety of experience in higher education, research, project management, and management of organisations.
Kwesi has experience working with organisations such as the BarCamp Ghana, Technology without Borders to organise training and mentorship programmes for the youth in Ghana. He has mentored several young people and helped them in achieving their aims and goals. He has also worked with other NGOs to raise awareness about the importance of educating the youth about the use of plastics and the benefits of recycling plastic waste in Ghana.
In addition to being a DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers Climate Change Fellow, Dr. Quagraine holds an MPhil from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and a Doctorate in Environmental and Geographical Science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Youth Protection Lead
EWOENAM ABUSAH
Ewoenam Abusah is a dedicated finance professional, who holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce. Her journey has been marked by continuous skill development and expertise, making her an indispensable part of the University of Cape Coast where she currently serves as a Senior Accounting Assistant.
Ewoenam also serves on the Audit Committee of the Directorate of Finance Welfare Association in addition to her job at the institution
She is a Youth Advocate and also holds the position of Youth Protection Lead for the Dora Edu-Buandoh Foundation. This role showcases her belief in the significance of social responsibility protection and her active involvement in youth education and community development
Volunteer and Peer Lead
DORIS AKALACHIBA ASANDEM
Doris is Volunteer and the Peer Lead and liaison between the Volunteers and the Directors of the DEB Foundation. As a Peer Lead, she advises on programmes that would meet the needs and interests of the Volunteers and the young ladies who form the target group of the Foundation.
Doris also volunteers as an affiliate at the Center for Gender Research, Advocacy, and Documentation (CEGRAD) at the University of Cape Coast. She has been a peer facilitator for CEGRAD since 2019 where she educates fresh students on issues of values, gender equality, consent, and sexual harassment.
Doris's commitment to service and leadership is exemplified by her role as the Vice President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Cape Coast during her undergraduate programme. In this capacity, she worked tirelessly to represent the interests of her fellow students and spearheaded initiatives aimed at enhancing campus life and student welfare.
Doris is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and gender equality. She has volunteered with numerous NGOs, including Pan-African Female Youth Leaders, Ghana (PANAFYL-Ghana), where she served as Director of Programs. Through her involvement in these organizations, Doris has championed causes related to women's rights, education, domestic violence, menstrual hygiene, and leadership development.
A natural leader and communicator, Doris is also a public speaker and an advocate for sexual harassment prevention. She uses her platform to raise awareness, educate others, and promote a culture of respect and dignity in all aspects of life.
She holds a Bachelor of Education (management) from the University of Cape Coast and a certificate in Database technology from IPMC.
Doris Akalachiba Asandem is an administrator at the Institutional Review Board of the University of Cape Coast, where she plays a crucial role in ensuring ethical standards in research and promoting the advancement of academic endeavors.