Management Team
Kwame Sakyi, PhD, MSPH, BA, - Director
Dr. Kwame Sakyi is a co-founder and the Director of the Center for Learning and Childhood Development-Ghana, where he oversees the Center's overall strategic direction and research portfolio. Dr. Sakyi holds a PhD and Master's of Science degree in international (global) health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. As an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, USA, he teaches biostatistics and research methods to graduate students. Dr. Sakyi's expertise is in maternal, neonatal, and child well-being in low- and middle-income countries. He has worked on a wide range of projects that affect mothers and children, including infectious diseases (HIV and malaria), neonatal health, developmental disabilities, mental health, stigma, and community-based interventions. He is the recipient of several grants and awards, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award (Grant, T32DA1391), NIH R25 Brown University Training Fellowship (R25MH83620), and the Young Alumni Career Award from Albion College, Albion, Michigan.
Prince Owusu, MEd, BSc, - Co-Director, Operations
Mr. Prince Gyebi Owusu is a co-founder and the director of operations at the Center for Learning and Childhood Development-Ghana. He oversees implementation of all the Center's programs, including training, research project implementation and internships. Over the past decade, he has focused his career on improving children's learning and their well-being, particularly, vulnerable children. He has broad experience managing child development projects relating to learning through play, addressing learning deficits of children with Specific Learning Difficulties, promoting inclusion of children with developmental disabilities and neonatal health.
Mr. Owusu has a Master of Philosophy degree in Educational Innovations and Leadership Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Professional Studies-Accra.
Leonie Akofio Sowah, MSc, BA, - Senior Manager
Leonie Akofio-Sowah is an exceptional office and project manager adept in training, developing, and leading multidisciplinary teams to solve real-world social problems. Her expertise is in research and project management with demonstrated ability to skillfully coordinate resources and administrative support to keep operations smooth and boost team productivity. As the senior manager of the Center for Learning and Childhood Development-Ghana, she oversees the day to day operations of the center. She holds a Master of Science degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science, London, England.
Henry Marquis, BSc, JD - Advocacy and Fundraising Manager
Henry Marquis, Esq. is a member of CLCD - Ghana’s management team and was primarily responsible for the organization’s legal establishment as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity in the U.S.
Mr. Marquis currently oversees CLCD’s fundraising, diaspora outreach and partnership development initiatives in the U.S. As an attorney, Mr. Marquis provides advice to the management team on legal, contractual, and compliance issues.
Mr. Marquis holds a J.D. from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, Lansing, MI, and is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia bars. He currently works as a Staff Attorney at the D.C office of Covington & Burling LLP.
Ronald Abaka, BEd, - Accounts and Business Development Officer
Ronald is the Accounts and Business Development Officer at the Center for Learning and Childhood Development - Ghana. With a passion for both education and finance, he brings a unique blend of skills to the financial operations and strategic business partnerships at the center. In his current role, Ronald is responsible for managing the financial aspects of the organization, ensuring accuracy and transparency in financial reporting, budgeting, and resource allocation. Additionally, he actively contributes to the strategic planning and implementation of business development initiatives, forging partnerships and collaborations to expand the reach and impact of the Center for Learning and Childhood Development-Ghana. Ronald Abaka holds a Bachelor of Education in Accounting with honors from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Joseph K. M. Agbavitoh, MPhil, BA, Research Manager
Joseph Agbavitoh is the Research Manager at the Center for Learning and Childhood Development-Ghana. At the heart of Joseph’s mission is the belief that research should transcend the boundaries of scholarly pursuits and directly contribute to improving the lives of diverse populations. His work at CLCD-Ghana emphasizes a holistic approach, that combines academic rigor with practical applications, taking into account the multifaceted aspects of a child’s development – cognitive, emotional, and social, ensuring that the research findings have a meaningful impact on the well-being of individuals and communities.
Armed with a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ghana, his academic prowess is complemented by a compassionate and empathetic approach, which forms the core of his research philosophy.
LOIS MAAME DONKOR ARYEE
Lois is a Research Fellow at the Center for Learning and Childhood Development, working to advance nutrition research in early childhood. Her role at the Center involves grant writing, research leadership, and disseminating findings through publications and presentations at local and international conferences. Lois brings a wealth of experience in research management, data collection and analysis, and program monitoring and evaluation, gained in both Ghanaian and international settings. Lois holds a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Nutrition at the University of Ghana, where her thesis focuses on understanding the long-term effects of early-life pre- and post-natal lipid-based nutrient supplements on children’s autonomic nervous system regulation.
Matilda Adjei, MA, LLB, BA - Administration and Operations Manager
Matilda Mateko Adjei is the manager in charge of Administration and Operations at the Center for Learning and Childhood Development - Ghana.
Driven by a profound dedication to ensuring operational efficiency, Matilda plays a key role in project management, strategic planning and human resource management, stakeholder engagements and administrative management.
Matilda Adjei received her Master of Arts (MA) degree in Management and Administration from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon. She also holds a law degree (LLB) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Bachelors degree in English and Psychology from the University of Ghana, Legon.