Trainers

Ing Dzifa Agbefu, the Innovation Hub Coordinator at IWMI, leads the setup and operation of the circular bioeconomy innovation hub. With a civil and environmental sanitation engineering background, she specializes in circular economy business and financial development model, sustainable waste infrastructure design, and innovation systems setup. She is adept at translating research results into actionable plans whiles rallying the support of diverse stakeholders. Rallying on this unique blend of expertise she led the JVL-YKMA plant to win the 2021 Seed Low Carbon Awards. 

Dr. Solomie Gebrezgabher, a senior researcher at IWMI, brings over a decade of experience in circular economy research and project implementation. With a background in business economics, she specializes in business innovations within the circular economy waste management, specifically water, energy, and nutrient recovery, she works with public and private sectors workers, farmers, informal groups, youth, and women. 

Dr Tosin Somorin works with IWMI as a researcher with 15 plus year expertise in Circular Economy Waste Management. Prior to joining IWMI, she was a Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom where her research was focused on delivering a distinctive research programme in sustainable value recovery from waste — solutions that enable circularity, net-zero carbons and zero waste strategies. Evidence of research outputs is communicated in 20-plus international publications and featured in Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s.  

Dr. Noah Adamtey, a Senior Research Scientist at IWMI, brings over 23 years of experience in System Agronomy and Environmental Science. Formerly the Kenya Country Project Leader at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland, he has spearheaded initiatives across Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, and Zambia. His goal is to enhance food and nutrition security, support ecological functions, mitigate climate effects, and manage agricultural water while conserving land, water, and biodiversity. Dr. Adamtey has lectured at German universities and contributed to curriculum development for sustainable agriculture. 

Dr. Eric Gbenatey, a Circular Economy and Faecal Sludge Management expert at IWMI, brings 12 years of experience in urban faecal sludge and waste circularity. His work involves assessing sanitation solution performance, notably Biofil toilets in Ghana, and scaling business models within the sanitation value chain. Dr. Gbenatey promotes waste conversion into compost for agriculture, energy briquettes, fish production, and irrigation water. In 2021, he managed the successful test launch of two plants focused on compost and briquette reuse. 

Dr. Charity Osei-Amponsah is a Senior Regional Researcher at IWMI. She has about 15 years’ experience of social science research for agricultural development. Her core research interests are on the themes: gendered transformation, governance, institutional and political economy analysis of food, land and water systems; as well as climate change governance and agricultural innovation systems. Charity has successfully arranged many partnerships and facilitated several multi-stakeholder engagements processes. Charity has a PhD from the Wageningen University, in the Netherlands. 

Ekow Akyin Kwofie is currently a Trainer / Consultant and Manager at MDF West Africa. He has expertise in SME business development support, coaching, Identifying, and establishing strategic business relationships, business model analysis, strategic planning, Agricultural Value Chain Analysis and Renewable Energy and WASH business support. Ekow also has 7 years working experience with capacity building, Entrepreneurship Development, Land use management systems, Finance, and investments. 

Dr. Mirja Michalscheck is a postdoctoral fellow on Innovation Scaling at the IWMI. She holds degrees in environmental and water management, with a Ph.D. in Farming Systems Research. Specializing in mixed methods farming systems analysis, she focuses on sustainable resource management, particularly for women and youth. Currently, she develops frameworks for evaluating scaling partnerships’ sustainability. Target group of interest: Tertiary & Youth; MSMEs & Community base organizations; farmers; another Informal sector.  

Simon Agyei Sakyi, Quality Control Manager at Safisana Ghana Limited, specializes in organic compost and biogas production and laboratory analysis. With an MBA in Total Quality Management and a Bachelor of Technology in Science Laboratory Technology (Environmental Option), he offers extensive expertise in municipal solid waste, faecal waste, and wastewater treatment, with the ability to provide training in these areas. 

Gbodji, Kekeli is a research officer in charge of inclusive and sustainable agricultural financing at IWMI. With over three years working in research and academia, his research interests focus on agri-business and financing models, innovation scaling in agriculture, impact assessment and food systems, and action research approaches to enhance impacts on development with the youth, and farmers as his preferred target audience. 

Ing. Mark Ayipasiya Apaweo, Plant Manager at Safisana Ghana Limited, brings over 18 years of experience in waste management, food and beverage industry, maintenance, automobile services, mining, and security. With expertise in team development, leadership, operations management, plant maintenance, and technical troubleshooting, he holds a Master of Engineering (MEng.) specializing in Industrial Operations with Management along with a Certificate in Project Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).  

Dr. Avinandan Taron, a Researcher at IWMI, specializes in Investment and Institutional Analysis for RRR Business Development. With a background in corporate environmental economics, he has worked in academic roles at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India and as a socio economist at CABI, UK, leading projects across South and Southeast Asia. His research focuses on environmental and resource economics, with an emphasis on analyzing institutions and investments for a circular bioeconomy within agriculture and rural-urban connections.” 

Prof. Nelson Agbo, Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, specializes in aquaculture systems and technologies, aquaculture nutrition, and sustainable water use. With an MSc. in Water Bioresources and Aquaculture and a PhD in Aquaculture, his expertise includes waste-water aquaculture, alternative feedstuffs, and species diversification for aquaculture in Ghana. Additionally, he conducts research on climate change mitigation and coastal area conservation. 

Edem Korshie Adzikah is a development finance professional and experienced finance trainer adept in grant management, financial reporting, budgeting, and procurement. With over 5 years of training experience across NGOs, private entities, and entrepreneurs, Edem specializes in financial management for various sectors, including education, WASH, green economy, agribusiness, and circular economy. His expertise lies in financial readiness, green financing, and innovation scaling. 

Richard Yeboah, Regional Director Africa at MDF, is a seasoned trainer with over 18 years of experience in institutional and organizational development across public and private sectors. His expertise extends to training junior and senior managers, industry leaders, and government officials. Richard specializes in participatory and adult learning techniques, covering topics such as business model development, innovation scaling, and financial management. He has trained over 2000 entrepreneurs across various sectors, including WASH, circular economy, sustainability, agribusiness, and renewable energy. 

Vivian Mensah-Dogbatse, a Trainer/Consultant at MDF West Africa, specializes in training and coaching in innovative entrepreneurship, social enterprises, and agribusinesses. With expertise in capacity building and entrepreneurship development, she has worked extensively with start-ups and idea-stage entrepreneurs across various sectors. Vivian also possesses strong financial acumen, including experience in accounts, finance, cash management, and accounting. Her skills extend to business model development, marketing, sales, financial model development, financing strategies, and financial readiness. 

Eelke Jansen, is a project manager and trainer with practical knowledge in managing projects relating to the TVET, organic waste-to-value, agricultural value-chain, gender sensitivity, inclusion, and social entrepreneurship. Her main field of expertise is in inclusive innovation (including gender), communication and advocacy and policy influencing development, specifically focused on sub-Sahara Africa. She can train in regard to gender inclusion, advocacy, and innovations scaling.  

Abigail Aruna, CEO of Clean Team Ghana Limited, offers expertise in household toilet provision and supply chain management. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in waste management, value chain leadership, and occupational health and safety training. Abigail is a 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow and West Africa Acumen Fellow, dedicated to scaling Clean Team as a sustainable sanitation business in Africa while mentoring emerging leaders. 

Simon Agyei Sakyi, Quality Control Manager at Safisana Ghana Limited, specializes in organic compost and biogas production and laboratory analysis. With an MBA in Total Quality Management and a Bachelor of Technology in Science Laboratory Technology (Environmental Option), he offers extensive expertise in municipal solid waste, faecal waste, and wastewater treatment, with the ability to provide training in these areas. 

Daniel Larkai, Research Agronomist at Safisana Ghana Limited, brings over 10 years of experience in agronomy. His expertise spans pineapple plantation management, greenhouse and open-field vegetable production, and organic vegetable production in Ghana and Israel. With a B.Sc. in Agricultural Technology from the University for Development Studies, he excels in identifying challenges, opportunities, and solutions for maximum impact in the agricultural sector. 

Mark Yeboah-Agyepong, Founder and Centre Director of Trimark Aquaculture Center, specializes in adapting circular economy principles for food production and wastewater treatment. With a background in Natural Resources Management and Parasitology, he has over a decade of experience in areas such as Edible landscape/Urban farming, Wastewater-fed Aquaculture, Quality Management, and Health and Safety in nutrients recovery and reuse. Mark offers research development and practical training for students, farmers, MSMEs & Community base organizations, Public Sector MMDAs, and other Professionals. 

Dr. Kofi Ampomah-Benefo is a leading researcher and advocate for renewable energy at the CSIR-IIR. His work on biogas production has helped to make Ghana a leader in the development and deployment of this sustainable energy technology. He has also worked to raise awareness of the benefits of biogas and to promote its adoption by businesses and government agencies. He developed a prototype of an adaptive, multi-feedstock, anaerobic biomass digester for biogas production. With this expertise, he looks forward to building the capacity of various value chain actors for adapt scaling at various levels.  

Ing. Richard Ntibrey, a member of the Ghana Institute of Engineering, manages the Urban WASH and Resilience Project at Catholic Relief Services (CRS). With expertise in Environmental Management, Civil Engineering, and Nature-Based Solutions, he supports inclusive sanitation planning and Market-Based WASH Programming. Richard conducts capacity-building training sessions to enhance skills among value chain actors. 

Dr. Rapheal Nsiah-Gyambibi, a Research Scientist at CSIR-IIR, specializes in resource recovery technologies, including black soldier fly technology, faecal sludge management, and waste-to-energy. His research also covers environmental engineering, sanitation, public health, and wastewater treatment. Dr. Nsiah-Gyambibi is skilled in material development, composting, project management, and risk assessments. 

Dr Richard Bayitse is a senior research scientist at the CSIR-IIR he holds a PhD in Food Science and MPhil and MSc in Environmental Science and Environmental Management respectively. Is research interest and expertise lies in Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation for ethanol and amino acids, biogas production, value addition to organic waste, wastewater treatment and analysis, environmental quality analysis and management, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation process optimization. Target groups of interest are Tertiary and Youth, Farmers, Agro-processing companies, and other professionals. 

Mr. Laurence Owusu Afriyie works with the CSIR-IIR and is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with particular interest in design, research and development, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical and mechatronic systems.  He holds an MSc in Mech Eng Design. As a practicing engineer, he has developed critical judgement, conceptualization and research skills, in both structured and unstructured environments where initiative and creativity is encouraged. Target groups of interest are kids through professionals with STEMA interest. 

Ms. Eunice Dazugo works with CSIR-IIR as an…… With a background in Agricultural Engineering, Eunice has a focus on sustainable agricultural mechanization systems. Her research areas and interests include development and prototyping of small to medium scale agro – processing machinery, green technologies for sustainable agricultural production and farm mechanization. Target groups of interest Farmers, tertiary, youth and   other professionals.  

Ing. Samuel Tekpetey holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering and technology. His specialty is in manufacturing processes and quality systems. He also has a keen interest in renewable energy and related technologies. Target groups of interest are school children and SHS, Tertiary and Youth, and other professionals.  

Dr. Enoch Selorm Kofi Ofori is a research scientist (Entomology) with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. He has over 11-years of experience in Bio circular economy, sustainable agriculture techniques and One health ideology and climate change mitigation studies. He has also worked with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on circular agriculture using Black Soldier Fly as alternative protein for feed formulation to ensure food security. He has consulted for small to medium scale businesses on using innovative and smart agriculture techniques such as bioconversion of organic waste using Black Soldier fly larvae for sustainable wealth creation. 

Dr. Abdul-Rauf Malimanga Alhassan, a lecturer at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, boasts a BSc. in Agricultural Engineering, an MSc in Water Science and Engineering, and a PhD in Water Conservation and Desertification Control. His expertise lies in the circular economy, specializing in biowaste recycling for agriculture and energy. With extensive experience, he provides training services on conservation agriculture, wastewater reuse, and recycling to diverse audiences, including MMDAs, MSMEs, educational institutions, farmers, and NGO field staff.  

Dr. Eugene Appiah-Effah Civil Engineering Lecturer at the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Center of the at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His expertise lies in Sustainable Waste Management, focusing on solid waste, segregation at source, wastewater, faecal sludge management, water supply services and health interventions. Dr. Appiah-Effah’s innovative approaches target rural and peri-urban sanitation challenges, exploring chemical additives’ efficacy in faecal sludge management and developing low-cost latrines using locally available materials.  

Dr. Miriam Appiah-Brempong, a Civil Engineering Lecturer at the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Center of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She specializes in Water/Wastewater Treatment and Environmental Engineering. Her research focuses on coagulant and adsorbent development, adsorption process modeling, solid waste management, and circular economy initiatives. Dr. Appiah-Brempong collaborates with Public Sector MMDAs and professionals, promoting composting and co-composting techniques for environmental sustainability. 

Ing. Emmanuel Yeboah Asuamah, a Research Fellow at the Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, University of Energy and Natural Resources, specializes in renewable energy technology design and installation. Proficient in project management and tools like HOMER and Energy PLAN, his research focuses on energy access, the water-energy-food nexus, waste-to-energy, and climate change’s impact on energy planning. He prioritizes rural energy access and climate-smart agriculture, engaging tertiary students, youth, farmers, and community-based organizations. Proficient in English and Twi, he advocates for innovative solutions in sustainable energy utilization. 

Ing Professor Joseph O. Akowuah, is professor in Food and Postharvest Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. With over 15 years of experience, his research concentrates on affordable drying and storage systems, aiming to alleviate postharvest losses and food waste in Sub-Saharan Africa. A staunch advocate for student mentorship and capacity building, Prof. Akowuah has guided graduates to win awards, launching successful startups. His leadership as a faculty advisor at KNUST’s Engineers Without Borders chapter nurtures student volunteers to execute impactful community projects.  

Dr. Antwi-Agyei, a researcher at the Regional Center for energy and environmental sustainability at the University of Energy and Natural Resources. His expertise lies in sustainable development and WASH, Faecal Sludge Management, Solid Waste Engineering, and Health Risk Assessment. With over 16 years of international experience and collaborations with renowned organizations, Dr. Antwi-Agyei is a dedicated professional shaping impactful solutions in water, sanitation, and environmental health across diverse global contexts.  

Prosper Naah is an Engineering Management Scientist specializing in consumer safety, environmental sustainability, climate change, and public health at the Regional Center for energy and environmental sustainability at the University of Energy and Natural Resources. With expertise in biomass valorization, renewable energy systems, and waste-to-energy, his research spans integrated environmental management, industrial manufacturing, and circular economy initiatives. He is interested in engaging with young children, youth, the industrial community, farmers, and the public sector. 

Dr. Frederick Owusu-Nimo, a Civil Engineer and Senior Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, specializes in geotechnical, geo-environmental, and geophysical engineering with over a decade of experience. As the faculty advisor of Engineers Without Borders – KNUST, he mentors youth and volunteers, nurturing the next generation of change leaders.