Our Board of Directors is comprised of an excellent team of distinguished academics and researchers with proficient expertise in running the Non-Profit sector. They provide strategic guidance and oversight in pursuit of WACCE’s vision.
Prof. Kwesi Aning (PhD), Board Chairman
Professor Kwesi Aning is a distinguished academic and researcher in African security with over four decades of an excellent career in African security. Dr. Aning has been instrumental in reshaping understanding of African security. He served as Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC) after having served in senior roles at the KAIPTC, Institute for Economic Affairs and the African Security Dialogue and Research. Prof. Aning has consulted for various local and international organizations including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union, the European Union and the United Nations Organization. He has produced dozens of publications on Security Sector Reforms and Governance, Civil-Military Relations, Violent Extremism, Conflicts and Instability in Africa, Electoral Violence and Comparative African Politics. He has also taught at various academic institutions including the University of Ghana’s Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy, University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Rhodes University (South Africa), Aarhus University (Denmark) and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, among others.
Professor Aning brings to WACCE as board chair highly valuable experience and unparallel expertise to provide the requisite strategic direction in pursuit of WACCE’s mission.
Prof. Ronald Quincy (PhD), Board Member.
Dr. Quincy is a professor of professional practice at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, State University of New Jersey (Rutgers). Dr. Quincy served as cabinet member of two governors including Governor of Michigan where he also served as Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and Director of the Michigan State Office of Human Resources Policy and Special Projects. He has been widely recognized for his extraordinary leadership guidance and role in Non-Profit Sector organizational practices in the US. He serves on several boards of leading organizations in the United States and abroad.
Dr. Quincy brings to WACCE’s board more than 50 years of professional and ethical leadership experience as a guiding post for WACCE’s success.
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, Executive Director.
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar is Executive Director for West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE). Mutaru has been instrumental in leading and positioning WACCE as pioneer and leader in the PVE space in Ghana and West Africa. In the last 10 years, Mutaru has led the WACCE team to dissuade 23 radicalised individuals from travelling to join terrorist groups. WACCE has helped to deepen local understanding around radicalization and violent extremism empowering more than 9,600 youth, state and non-state actors in building resilience against violent extremism in the region. He has brought not only verve and oomph to the PCVE space but also innovative and nuanced perspectives shaping better understanding of the VE threat in the region. He brings to the board strong enthusiasm and a combination of deep local knowledge and commitment to security.
Mutaru also serves as conference speaker and guest lecturer to universities and several institutions in Ghana and abroad including Coventry University (United Kingdom), National Defense University (Washington DC, USA), Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (Ghana) and Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC). He is an alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Emerging Security Sector Leaders Fellowship at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (USA), a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Scholar of the Aspen Institute (USA) and serves as a mentor for youth career and professional development. Among several other awards, Mutaru is a recipient of the African of the Year Award (2018), the youngest recipient at the time, for his impactful works in preventing violent extremism in Africa.
Mutaru has a BSc in Business Administration from Ashesi University, Ghana, and MA in International Terrorism, Global Crime and International Security from Coventry University, UK. He also understudied anti-mafia prosecutors in Sicily, Italy, regarding organized crime.
Abdul-Latif Issahaku, Board Member.
Abdul-Latif is a technology engineer and Board Director at Ashesi University, Ghana. Abdul-Latif has built a sterling career in the telecom industry having led and pioneered various innovative and high impact projects in the last decade and half. His experience in leading roles at two multinational telecommunication companies; the Chinese giant Huawei Technologies as well as MTN, Africa’s leading telecommunications operator has been key to shaping the tech space for particularly young people in Ghana. His excellent technical expertise, deep understanding of emerging technology and telecommunications trends coupled with his ability to lead and adequately motivate teams, communicating vision to stakeholders, and fostering innovation presents him as an important industry leader. Abdul-Latif has been dedicated to the cause of youth empowerment through technology and has played a leading role in the setting up of technology hubs and incubators for young people across the country.
Abdul-Latif Issahaku has a MBA in General Management from Nyenrode Business University and a MBA in Marketing Module from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management.
Abdul Rashid Alhassan Alandu, Board Member
Abdul Rashid is a leading health technology scientist with nearly 15 years of experience guiding and preserving public healthcare technology infrastructure. He has developed strong expertise in leading technology teams in managing the technology needs of the public health care system in Ghana. He has been instrumental in ensuring oversight for the security and integrity of technology infrastructure whilst manage IT risks.
Abdul Rashid brings to the board more than a decade of experience in the areas of technology and labor law in pursuit of WACCE’s goals. Abdul Rashid has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Ashesi University in addition to various professional certifications in technology and project management. He has been passionate about the integration of technology in the non-profit sector.
Abraham Nantogma, Board Member
Abraham is a business executive and risk management professional with over 15 years of experience in the healthcare and financial services sector in West Africa. His core expertise and experience cut across healthcare, banking and finance, project management, renewable energy and management consulting.
Abraham has provided consultancy services to several Not-for-Profit organizations helping to transform struggling organizations into sustainable ones. He has been very instrumental to WACCE’s operational strategy as well as assisting in managing its local community initiatives. With a unique personal profile encompassing family, relations and experience cutting across different religions, ethnic groups and in different locations, his understanding and appreciation of the values of cultural coexistence are instrumental to building a culture of pluralism.
Abraham holds a Master of Science degree in Financial Management from Heriot-Watt University (Scotland) following a Bachelor of Arts of degree in Business Administration from Ashesi university, Ghana. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Administration and Consulting from the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants and several other certifications relating to management and business.