Leadership Profiles

Prof. Muhammed Abdulai is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana. He is an academic leader, researcher and international development consultant with more than a decade of experience in cultural and social change communication, migration and mobility, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), safeguarding, social protection, research, monitoring and evaluation, and peace and security programming.

He holds a PhD in Sociology from Tallinn University, Estonia, with specialist focus in cultural communication, gender equality, social inclusion, safeguarding and migration. He has led and contributed to research, evaluation, training and policy assignments for institutions including UNDP Ghana, ODI Global, World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and SNV Ghana. As a VIRD Foundation Advisory Council Member, he contributes expertise in inclusive programme design, evidence generation, policy analysis, institutional strengthening and strategic partnerships.

Dr. John Eliasu Mahama is a public health and development practitioner with over two decades of experience in HIV and AIDS response, programme management and public policy. He serves as Acting Director, Policy and Planning at the Ghana AIDS Commission, where he leads the development of evidence-informed HIV policies and strategic plans and supports national efforts to address human-rights barriers, stigma and discrimination and equitable access to HIV services.

His experience spans development policy, multi-stakeholder engagement, systems strengthening, partnerships and resource mobilisation across Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and Mali. Between 2023 and 2025, he served on the WHO Advisory Group on Global Prototype Curricula for Community Health Workers and previously worked as Health Advisor with the Millennium Promise Alliance in West Africa. He holds an MSc in International Health from University College London and a Master of Research and Public Policy from the University of Ghana. He is a Member of the Institute of Directors Ghana and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health. As a VIRD Foundation Advisory Council Member, he contributes expertise in inclusive programme design, evidence generation, policy analysis, institutional strengthening and strategic partnerships.

As a VIRD Foundation Advisory Council Member, he contributes expertise in Public Health programming, inclusive programme design, evidence generation, policy analysis, institutional and health systems strengthening as well as strategic partnerships.

Prof. Abukari Wumbei is an Environmental Scientist, academic, researcher and public-sector leader with over 20 years of professional experience in environmental management, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), sustainable development, climate resilience and environmental policy. He currently serves as Director of Sanitation at Ghana's Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), where he provides strategic leadership in advancing safe, sustainable and inclusive sanitation services.

He is an Associate Professor of Applied Biological Sciences and former Director of the Drylands Research Institute at the University for Development Studies (UDS). He holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences (Environmental Technology) from Ghent University, Belgium. As a VIRD Foundation Advisory Council Member, he contributes scientific expertise, evidence-based policy insight and strategic leadership to strengthen WASH, climate resilience, environmental sustainability and inclusive community development programming.

Madam Suhuyini Nawaratu Karmil is a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and development specialist with over 10 years of experience across Ghana, Africa and international development. Her expertise spans gender equality and social inclusion, climate justice, agriculture and food systems, governance, social protection, education, economic empowerment, inclusive finance, safeguarding, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEAL), research, advocacy and institutional strengthening.

She serves as National Gender and Development Specialist with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), supporting the integration of gender equality and social inclusion into climate-resilient agriculture, food systems and climate-finance programming. Her professional experience includes work with organisations and programmes such as Right To Play, DAI Global/USAID Feed the Future PolicyLINK, Norsaac, CARE International Ghana, Plan International Ghana and IFDC/SNV 2SCALE, alongside consultancy assignments supporting national and international development initiatives.

She holds an MSc in Development Management from the Institute of Local Government Studies, Ghana, and a BSc in Renewable Natural Resources from the University for Development Studies. As a member of the VIRD Foundation Advisory Council, she contributes expertise in gender-responsive and inclusive programming, climate resilience, livelihoods, social protection, research, partnerships and institutional capacity strengthening.

Mr. Mustapha Amadu is a development communication, public relations and local-government professional with extensive experience in public engagement, stakeholder relations, community mobilization and institutional communication. He currently serves as Public Relations Officer and Client Service Manager at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, where his responsibilities include advising management, coordinating public and community outreach programmes, engaging the media and serving as a liaison between the Assembly and the public. He also coordinates the sister-city relationship between Tamale and Münster, Germany, and serves as Secretary to the Assembly's Public Relations and Complaints Committee.

Before his current role, Mr. Amadu served as Municipal Information Officer with the Savelugu Municipal Assembly and the Nanumba North Municipal Assembly. In these roles, he supported public education on government policies and programmes, media engagement, citizen feedback, development communication and institutional reporting. His earlier professional experience includes teaching at E.P. College of Education, Bimbilla, where he also served as Head of the Science Department, and at Wulensi Senior High School.

He holds a Master of Arts in Development Education (Community Development) from the University for Development Studies and a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education (Integrated Science) from the University of Cape Coast. His professional strengths include public speaking, communication planning, advocacy, behavioural change communication, stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, facilitation and relationship management.

Mr. Amadu has contributed to development-focused initiatives including the Urban Sanitation Project in the Tamale Metropolis, a collaboration involving UNICEF, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Dutch Government, where he participated in implementing a behavioural change communication plan to address open defecation and promote household latrine construction. He also led the development and delivery of revenue-mobilization campaign messages across the metropolis in 2021.

As a member of the Board of Directors of VIRD Foundation, Mr. Amadu brings practical experience in local governance, strategic communication, community engagement and stakeholder coordination to support the Foundation's governance, public accountability and community-centred development agenda.

Prof. Abukari Wumbei is an Environmental Scientist, academic, researcher and public-sector leader with over 20 years of professional experience in environmental management, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), sustainable development, climate resilience and environmental policy. He currently serves as Director of Sanitation at Ghana's Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), where he provides strategic leadership in advancing safe, sustainable and inclusive sanitation services.

He is an Associate Professor of Applied Biological Sciences and former Director of the Drylands Research Institute at the University for Development Studies (UDS). He holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences (Environmental Technology) from Ghent University, Belgium. As a VIRD Foundation a member of the Board of Directors, he contributes scientific expertise, evidence-based policy insight and strategic leadership to strengthen WASH, climate resilience, environmental sustainability and inclusive community development programming.

Associate Professor Muhammed Abdulai is an academic leader, sociologist and international development consultant with more than a decade of experience spanning cultural communication, migration and mobility, social and behavioural change communication, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), safeguarding, social protection, research and policy analysis. He currently serves as Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana, and as an Associate Professor in Sociology with specialization in Cultural Communication, Gender Equality, Social Inclusion and Migration.

His academic and professional work combines research, institutional leadership and development practice. He has undertaken donor-funded research, evaluation, training and policy assignments for organisations including UNDP Ghana, ODI Global, World University Service of Canada (WUSC), SNV Ghana, and other development partners. His technical expertise includes mixed-methods research, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), stakeholder engagement, inclusive programme design, safeguarding, community resilience, peace and violent-extremism prevention, and capacity strengthening.

Professor Abdulai holds a PhD in Sociology from Tallinn University, Estonia; an MA in Culture, Communication and Globalization from Aalborg University, Denmark; an MA in Cultural Studies from the University of Southeastern Norway; and a BA in Philosophy and Religions from the University of Ghana. He has an extensive record of postgraduate supervision, peer-reviewed publication and international academic engagement, with work published by leading academic publishers including Elsevier, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, Sage, Wiley and Palgrave Macmillan.

Mohammed Nihad is an education professional and business leader with more than a decade of experience in the Ghana Education Service. Her professional background combines classroom teaching, learner support and school-community engagement with entrepreneurship and business management. She currently serves with the Ghana Education Service at Shishegu E.M.A. Zion JHS and concurrently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Monich Kitchen.

Her education experience includes lesson planning and delivery, adapting teaching approaches to diverse learning needs, student assessment, academic record management, and collaboration with colleagues and parents to support learner progress and wellbeing. As Chief Executive Officer of Monich Kitchen, she oversees daily operations, staff responsibilities, customer service, purchasing and stock management, cost control, food hygiene, marketing and business development.

She has also contributed to civic education as an NCCE Patron, supporting student understanding of citizenship, rights, responsibilities, national values, leadership, peaceful coexistence and responsible community participation. She studied Psychology in Education at the University of Cape Coast, with a major in Social Studies and a minor in Home Economics. As a member of the VIRD Foundation Board of Directors, she brings practical experience in education, youth development, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, operational management and community-oriented leadership.

Mr. Alhassan Hudu Naporo is a public health, environmental and education professional with multidisciplinary experience spanning environmental management, public health, science education, research support, community engagement and institutional leadership. He currently serves as a Programs Officer with Ghana's Environmental Protection Authority, where his responsibilities include environmental surveillance, investigations and verification, technical proposal preparation for resource mobilisation, environmental-impact data collection, stakeholder collaboration, reporting and budgeting.

He holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University for Development Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Allied Science (Health Education), a Bachelor of Science in Biology Education and a Diploma in Basic Education. His professional background includes service with the Ghana Education Service, part-time tutoring at the Tamale School of Hygiene and public-health work. He has also held leadership and financial-management roles in national and community organisations. As a VIRD Foundation Board Member, he brings strengths in public health, environmental sustainability, education, community mobilisation, resource mobilisation, organisational leadership and financial stewardship.