My Vision: "We’re not just funding startups; we’re architecting the missing middle of Africa’s investment ecosystem."

Dr. Kennedy Kwabena Abrokwa is the visionary Founder and a key Board Member of our Angel Investment Fund, bringing over 15 years of multifaceted expertise as an economist, investment strategist, and development finance expert. With a PhD in Economics from the University of Hull and extensive leadership experience at Ghana's Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Dr. Abrokwa possesses a rare combination of academic rigor, practical investment acumen, and a proven track record in unlocking value across high-growth sectors.

As Head of Business Development at MIIF, Dr. Abrokwa has demonstrated exceptional strategic leadership, most notably through his design and implementation of the groundbreaking Small-Scale Mining Incubation Program (SSMIP) which provides smart financing and technical support to transform artisanal miners into mid-tier operations. His instrumental role in developing MIIF's gold trading program, which injected $1 billion into Ghana's economy, showcases his ability to structure innovative financial solutions at scale. Dr. Abrokwa's investment expertise is further evidenced by his leadership in conducting due diligence for major mining sector investments including Electrochem Salt Mining Company, Asante Gold Corporation, and Atlantic Lithium.

Beyond his remarkable achievements in resource investment, Dr. Abrokwa brings valuable governance experience from his tenure as MIIF's Head of Corporate Affairs, where he established compliance frameworks and stakeholder engagement strategies. His academic background as a lecturer at GIMPA and KNUST, coupled with his published research in energy economics and development finance, ensures our investment decisions are grounded in rigorous analysis and emerging market insights.

As Founder and Board Member, Dr. Abrokwa provides our fund with unparalleled strategic direction, combining his deep understanding of African market dynamics with a passion for fostering sustainable entrepreneurship. His unique perspective bridges the gap between institutional investment practices and the needs of early-stage ventures, particularly in mining, agribusiness, and green economy sectors. With a steadfast commitment to ESG principles and economic transformation, Dr. Abrokwa ensures our fund not only generates strong returns but also creates lasting developmental impact.

Dr. Abrokwa's leadership philosophy centers on democratizing access to capital for high-potential innovators, leveraging his extensive network across government, academia, and industry to create ecosystems where promising ventures can thrive. His presence on our board guarantees that investment decisions are informed by both macroeconomic expertise and hands-on experience in building viable businesses from the ground up.

With 13 years of specialized experience in banking credit risk management and financial operations, Kwame Sarpong Brentuo brings critical risk assessment capabilities to angel investment teams. His career at ADB Bank has equipped him with comprehensive skills in credit analysis, portfolio monitoring, and financial due diligence - making him exceptionally qualified to safeguard investment funds while identifying high-potential opportunities.

Kwame's professional journey demonstrates progressive responsibility in risk mitigation, beginning as a Teller and advancing to his current role in the Credit Risk Department. In this capacity, he oversees a diverse portfolio of SME and corporate loans, meticulously tracking performance indicators and implementing early intervention strategies for at-risk accounts. His daily responsibilities include monitoring unauthorized withdrawals, analyzing financial statements, verifying collateral, and preparing detailed reports on loan performance - all transferable skills that directly benefit investment risk assessment.

What distinguishes Kwame is his dual expertise in both quantitative analysis and operational risk management. His MBA in Finance complements hands-on experience balancing general ledgers, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring compliance across banking products. This combination allows him to evaluate investment opportunities through multiple lenses: financial viability, operational soundness, and regulatory compliance. His Fraud Awareness training further enhances his ability to identify potential red flags during due diligence.

For angel investment teams, Kwame offers particular value in:

• Conducting thorough financial health assessments of potential investees
• Developing risk-rating frameworks for early-stage companies
• Monitoring portfolio companies' financial performance
• Establishing early warning systems for underperforming investments
• Balancing risk appetite with growth potential in investment decisions

Kwame's approach to risk management is both systematic and adaptable. While rooted in banking sector rigor, he understands the unique risk-reward dynamics of angel investing. His recommendations focus not just on avoiding risk, but on intelligently managing it to support promising ventures while protecting investor capital.
Based in Ghana's banking sector but with skills applicable globally, Kwame serves as a vital bridge between traditional financial risk practices and the dynamic world of startup investing. His career reflects a consistent ability to interpret complex financial data and translate it into actionable insights - exactly the skill set needed to navigate the high-risk, high-reward landscape of angel investment.

Richmond Nii Kwartey Acquaye is a highly skilled Accounting and Finance professional with extensive experience in bookkeeping, financial management, project coordination, and business development. His expertise includes financial reporting, tax compliance, cash flow management, and grant preparation, making him a trusted advisor for businesses and organizations seeking to optimize their financial operations. With a strong focus on Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Richmond combines strategic insight with practical solutions to drive growth, profitability, and sustainable development.

Richmond excels in meticulous bookkeeping, ensuring accurate general ledger management, bank reconciliations, and transparent financial records. He has a proven track record in budgeting and cash flow management, enabling optimal resource allocation and liquidity for his clients. His deep understanding of tax compliance and asset management ensures that businesses meet regulatory requirements while maintaining proper documentation and valuation of assets. Additionally, Richmond specializes in assisting clients with grant preparation, helping them secure funding by aligning financial documentation with the requirements of funding bodies.

Throughout his career, Richmond has held key roles that highlight his expertise. As a Project Coordinator at A Different Life e.V., he led financial planning, budgeting, and stakeholder collaboration for NGO projects. During his tenure as a Finance and Accounting Consultant at the Ministry of Trade and Industries, he managed financial systems, ensured tax compliance, and provided grant support to MSMEs. His earlier roles at Mansass Company Limited and Sintex Company Limited involved overseeing project budgets, payroll, invoicing, and vendor relationships, further solidifying his hands-on experience in financial management.

Richmond holds a BSc in Business Administration (Accounting) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from Accra Technical University. He is currently pursuing an MSc in Development Finance at the University of Ghana and is an ACCA Candidate (Level 2), demonstrating his commitment to continuous professional growth.

With a blend of technical expertise and strategic vision, Richmond provides reliable, tailored financial solutions to startups, NGOs, and established businesses alike. His goal is to empower clients with the financial clarity and tools they need to achieve sustainable success.

With over 15 years of experience bridging academia and industry, Dr. John Kwesi Buor brings exceptional coaching capabilities to angel investment teams seeking to nurture their portfolio companies. His unique background combines supply chain expertise with hands-on mentorship experience, making him particularly valuable for funds investing in logistics, manufacturing, and sustainability-focused ventures across emerging markets.

As a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School and former faculty member at GIMPA, Dr. Buor has directly supervised more than 250 graduate business projects, developing a proven methodology for guiding entrepreneurs from concept to execution. His approach blends strategic thinking with operational pragmatism - he helps founders not only visualize growth but implement the systems and processes to achieve it. This academic experience is complemented by his work designing accredited degree programs in procurement and supply chain management, demonstrating his ability to structure learning for real-world application.

Dr. Buor's research focus on risk management and resilient systems translates directly into valuable mentorship for early-stage companies. His published work on disaster preparedness, policy impacts, and sustainable supply chains provides evidence-based frameworks that startups can use to stress-test their business models. This is particularly relevant for ventures operating in volatile emerging markets or industries facing regulatory complexity. His recent certifications in data analytics (Google) and machine learning (MIT) further enhance his ability to coach founders on leveraging technology and metrics for decision-making.

What sets Dr. Buor apart as a startup mentor is his multidimensional perspective. Having worked across Ghana, the UK, and international development organizations, he understands both local business contexts and global best practices. His board roles with professional associations like the Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management have exposed him to challenges across industries, while his World Bank procurement training informs practical advice on navigating public sector opportunities.

For angel investment teams, Dr. Buor offers:

• Structured mentorship programs to accelerate portfolio company growth
• Operational coaching to build efficient, scalable business processes
• Risk assessment frameworks tailored to early-stage ventures
• Guidance on sustainable business practices aligned with SDGs
• Connections to academic resources and research expertise
• Cross-cultural business insights for regional and global expansion

His coaching philosophy emphasizes resilience and adaptability - critical qualities for startups in uncertain environments. Rather than offering generic advice, he works diagnostically to identify each venture's unique systemic constraints and opportunities, whether in their supply chain, financial model, or team structure.

Based in Accra but with global experience, Dr. Buor serves as a strategic resource for investment funds looking to add value beyond capital. His ability to translate complex operational concepts into actionable guidance helps founders avoid common pitfalls while maintaining their innovative edge. For angels seeking to actively support their portfolio rather than just fund it, Dr. Buor provides the perfect blend of academic rigor and practical mentorship experience.

As a seasoned economist and development specialist with two decades of experience, Dr. George Adayi-Nwoza Adiah has dedicated his career to strengthening Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. His unique blend of academic expertise and practical field experience makes him exceptionally qualified to design and deliver impactful capacity building programs for startups and innovators across the continent.

Drawing from his extensive research background at prestigious institutions like ISSER and IFPRI, Dr. Adiah has developed specialized training programs that address the critical knowledge gaps facing early-stage ventures. His work on microenterprise development with GTZ and youth employment studies with ISSER/YEN provides real-world insights that directly inform his practical curriculum for entrepreneurs. At GIMPA, where he serves as lecturer, he has mentored countless young business minds, helping them transform ideas into viable ventures through hands-on guidance in business planning and financial management.

What sets Dr. Adiah apart is his ability to translate complex economic concepts into actionable business strategies. His capacity building approach focuses on four key pillars: enhancing financial literacy and investment readiness, improving market research capabilities, navigating regulatory environments, and developing robust impact measurement frameworks. These competencies directly address the most common challenges faced by African startups today.

Having conducted groundbreaking research on SME financing gaps and financial inclusion, Dr. Adiah brings particularly valuable expertise to helping startups become funder-ready. His programs teach entrepreneurs how to develop compelling financial projections, understand investor expectations, and position their ventures for growth capital. At the same time, his PhD research on inequality of opportunity informs his focus on creating inclusive programs that serve diverse entrepreneurs.

Dr. Adiah serves as a critical bridge between academia and the startup community. He regularly collaborates with incubators, corporate innovation hubs, and government entrepreneurship initiatives to design tailored programs that meet specific ecosystem needs. His multilingual abilities and extensive professional network across West Africa further enhance his capacity to deliver localized, culturally-relevant training.

For organizations seeking to build entrepreneurial capabilities, Dr. Adiah offers:

• Evidence-based curriculum development informed by 20+ years of research
• Practical training methodologies grounded in real-world business challenges
• Specialized expertise in financial literacy and investment preparedness
• Robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure program impact
• Deep connections across academia, policy and business sectors

Dr. Adiah's ultimate mission is to equip African innovators with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to build sustainable businesses that drive economic transformation. His unique perspective as both a researcher and practitioner ensures that capacity building initiatives deliver tangible results for participants and ecosystems alike.

Mark Otumfuo is an Information Systems Analyst with a Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology, both from GIMPA, along with a Certificate in Networking from the African Virtual University. His love for tech began during the inception of Web 1.0, and he’s remained engaged ever since. Today, his interest lies in Web3, where he explores its underlying technologies.

Having worked with several startup companies as a web developer and systems analyst, Mark understands first hand the challenges of building systems from scratch. His experience spans secure cloud infrastructure, systems architecture, digital investigations, and full-stack development.

With a background that combines technical depth and startup experience, Mark brings a rare mix of skills to the table. Being able to understand both the code and the business impact behind it allows him to spot opportunities, identify risks, and guide smarter investment decisions thereby, making him a trusted voice in the firm’s technical due diligence process. However, whether it’s code, cloud, or data, he operates on three core principles: clarity, performance, and proof.

In his role as the firm’s IT go to person, Mark is involved in technical reviews and translates complex insights into clear, actionable recommendations for the advisory team. He also develops the firm’s internal IT strategy, and keeps an eye on emerging technologies that could enhance the productivity of the organisation.

Outside of work, he loves music and also a lifelong football enthusiast and former amateur league player until a career ending injury, known as “old age,” took him off the pitch. He now channels his passion into Fantasy Football, a game he approaches with the same strategic and analytical mindset he brings to tech. An approach that earned him a top 20 finish in Ghana during the 2023/24 season, and he continues to make strides in this data-driven sport.