Board of Directors
Ms. Joana Gyan
Ms. Joana Gyan
Joana Gyan is an Entrepreneur, tenacious and a visionary Leader with a strong passion to change the narrative and development of Amenfi Central taking advantage of every resource available especially gold mining. She has over 20 years proven experience in the mining industry with key expertise in sustainable mining, trading, gold supply chain, strategic linkages and other operational areas in the precious metals value chain.
Since starting her career as a small-scale Artisanal Miner, Joana has quickly become one of the most well-known names in a male-dominated industry. With a walking example of success, she has proven that hard work, dedication and the right attitude are key traits to help one thrive in his or her professional career.
She is an inspiration to many women in the mining industry especially in the small-scale mining segment. She strives to develop the small-scale mining sector in order to create the long-term sustainable value and optimum wealth creation, as well as reduce poverty in the mining communities.
She is making significant contributions to lives, especially to the needy and value creation within the mining communities in Amenfi Central in the Western Region.
Mr. Ernest A. Mintah
Mr. Ernest A. Mintah
Ernest Mintah has over 25 years’ experience in Finance, International Banking and Economics. Ernest obtained his undergraduate degree in Economics and Management from Eckerd College (FL, USA) AND HIS Master’s Degree in Banking & Finance from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). He pursued his PhD studies (ABD no degree) in Comparative Economic Systems and Development Economics at the University of South California and Princeton University. He has a Master’s Degree in Management Research at Bradford University – UK.
Early in his career, as Vice President, Chase Bank (NY), Ernest led the London Club sovereign debt rescheduling negotiations of the Kingdom of Morocco on behalf of Chase and other sovereign debt lending syndicated banks. While with Chase, he gained senior level experience in International Lending, Country Economic Risk Analysis and International Treasury Management.
Upon his return to Ghana in 1989 Ernest served as an advisor to the then Minister (Secretary) for Finance & Economic Planning. From there he moved into private sector and with Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) where he led CDC’s equity investments and long-term project finance lending to several major entities in Ghana. These include CAL Bank, Ghana Leasing Company Limited, The Ghana Venture Fund, SSB Bank, VRA, ECG, Takoradi Thermal Electrification (TK1 & TK2), Labadi Beach Hotel, Milicom Ghana Ltd., Abosso Goldfineds, AngloGold Ashanti and Carmeuse (Limestone) Gh. Ltd.
Through his experience with CDC’s principal investing and lending activities and as CEO of Ghana Leasing Company Limited, Ernest has gained intimate unparalleled knowledge of the funding requirements of the corporate and financial sectors in Ghana. He has superior knowledge about economic developments in emerging markets and a prolific writer on finance and economic issues.
Mr. Philip K. Addison
Mr. Philip K. Addison
Philip Addison is the Senior Partner and Co-Founder of Addison Bright Sloane. He has over 32 years progressive experience being called to the bar in 1988.
Philip is a renowned and experienced Litigator and is famously remembered as the Lead Counsel for the Petitioners in the landmark Ghana Presidential Election Petition case of 2012.
He has garnered significant experience working on projects in custodial services, joint ventures, foreign investments, financing of projects, licensing and regulation. Furthermore, he has extensive experience in shipping and maritime law, construction, commercial and corporate practice. He has also acted for a number of listed companies, government agencies and corporations as well as for a cross-section of Ghanaian business concerns and corporations.
He has a keen interest in the development of legal practice in Ghana and was until September 2012, the Vice-President of the Greater Accra Branch of the Ghana Bar Association for a continuous period of five (5) years. Philip is also a Member of the International Bar Association and the Chairman of Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
Mr. John Obeng Apea
Mr. John Obeng Apea
John Obeng Apea is the Group CEO of GELL. He is a big Data & Tech enthusiast, Fintech CEO & Mission Head at Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. He is the Chief Executive Officer of eTranzact Ghana Limited. He has several years of business experience as Head of Mission (Ghana, Gambia, Sierra – Leone and Cameroon) for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, a body created by 54 Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote Trade and Investment across the Commonwealth 2.4 billion citizens. In this role, Mr. Apea has been instrumental in driving Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to sub -Saharan Africa.
John Apea was the Senior Strategist to Data Analytics giants SCL Group and Cambridge Analytica and has worked at Chairmanship and/or C – Suite levels across private equity, manufacturing, business advisory and technology organisations. He is a trusted business interlocutor for many world leaders and the first port of call for several foreign governments, global businesses and CEOs on business and political matters pertaining to Africa.
He was the President of Focal Point Pictures, a media company dedicated to entertainment that educates, inspires and promotes positive social change
Rev. Nims Obunge MBE DL
Rev. Nims Obunge MBE DL
Rev. Nims Obunge MBE DL is Senior Pastor of Freedom’s Ark and CEO of The Peace Alliance. He serves His Majesty King Charles III’s Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London. He is also a Community Leader and Co – Chair alongside Baroness Stroud, of the Race and Equality Commission. Before running for 2020 Mayor of London elections, Obunge was the Chief Executive of the Peace Alliance, a national organisation working with local communities to reduce crime and increase cohesion amongst communities. He has as a MBE for his work in battling gun crime and as a community leader.
He has worked on implementing different initiatives to stop the death and violence in London for the past fifteen years. He has worked with Government and opposition as well as the Police and Community to find solutions to the challenges of poverty elevation, trafficking, knife crime and educational and aspirational attainment. He has been voted as one of the most influential men in London, and was featured in the Times newspaper on 6th November 2019, who reported him as the newest candidate for the 2020 Mayor of London elections.
He emerged at the time when Britain was sending more children to prisons than to universities. He changed this trend because he and others focussed on encouraging youngsters to believe in themselves and seek educational and employment opportunities.
Mr. Mawuena Gagakuma
Mr. Mawuena Gagakuma
Mawuena Gagakuma is a seasoned consultant with a diverse background spanning risk management, insolvency practice, organizational development, and investment banking. Beginning his career at Linklaters in London, he later transitioned to Legal and General Investment Management, where he enhanced his skills as a fund administrator. Returning to Ghana in 2009, he held various roles at Merchant Bank (now UMB) and served as Market Risk Manager. He later assumed the role of Risk Team Leader at Sovereign Bank Limited.
Mawuena has undertaken diverse projects, including risk assessments for international organizations like the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Aker Energy, as well as financial modeling for projects such as GIZ’s energy efficiency initiatives in Ghana. He has also conducted feasibility studies, organizational reviews, and strategy development projects in Ghana and Liberia.
Mawuena is also an insolvency and restructuring expert, licensed as one of Ghana’s first batch of insolvency practitioners in 2021. As General Manager of the Liquidation Team, he successfully completed significant liquidation projects under the Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Act, 2020. He maintains strong relationships with regulatory bodies and legal institutions, contributing to projects like restructuring a state-owned bank and handling the administration and liquidation of a steel company in Ghana.
He holds a BA in Economics and Management from the University of Ghana and an MBA from Purdue University, USA. Mawuena is certified as a Risk-Based Auditor and a Risk Management Professional by reputable international bodies such as the International Academy of Business and Financial Management (IABFM) and the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). Additionally, he is an Insolvency Practitioner and a member of the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (GARIA).
Mr. Delali Komla Kabe
Mr. Delali Komla Kabe
Delali is currently the Managing Director and Mining Engineer at GELL. He is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the project management team in order to ensure the achievement of GELL‟s objectives at optimum efficiency and minimum cost. He also ensures all functional areas are consistent with safe operating procedures, applicable laws and sound business practices.
He is a versatile professional and retired Miner with about 40 years‟ experience in the mining industry. His professional work began at the Tarkwa Goldfields Limited and then continued to the then Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL), where he was practically involved in the research (efficient recovery diamonds and gold) and production, supervision of mining and sorting of diamonds. He rose through the ranks and became the Production Manager, deputizing the Managing Director. Between 2012 and 2018, he became Mines General Manager for GCDGL. Under his leadership, he was able to effectively maximise operational efficiency and outputs by reducing production costs.
Delali holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining, a Post Graduate Diploma in Mining, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Exec MBA.).
Mr. Kwaku Addae Antwi-Boasiako
Mr. Kwaku Addae Antwi-Boasiako
Kwaku Addae Antwi-Boasiako is an expert in Minerals and Mining Development, HR Leadership Development, HR and Labour Relations, Mentoring & Coaching and Marketing.
He is the Lead Consultant at the company he recently founded, Avid Investment. Before going into private practice he was the Chief Executive Officer of Minerals Commission. He positively impacted the mining sector in Ghana when he was the head of the Commission. He went to the Commission with vast experience in the mining industry of Ghana and Africa. That was after he had gathered over 19 years’ experience in the mining industry. Before his appointment to the Commission, he was the Managing Director of Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Ltd., Akwatia.
He previously worked for Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) and AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) for over 13 years, rising to become the Head of Human Resources, AGA West Africa Region- Ashanti Assets. He was also the Head of Group HR AGC, coordinating seven HR managers across the African continent. Antwi-Boasiako was credited with implementation of far reaching human resource policies. As the Managing Director of GCD Ghana Limited he successfully led the revival and transformation of a brownfield mining operation (diamonds and gold).