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.
Michael Arthur—visual communication unit
Michael is a member of CLCD Ghana's visual communication unit. He is responsible for designing visual communication materials for the organization and overseeing its website administration.
Michael holds a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Education Winneba. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Design and Data Visualization at Northeastern University.
PROFILE OF DESMOND DZIDZORNU OTOO
Desmond Dzidzornu Otoo is a Research Fellow at the Center for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD) working on the Building Strategic Intersectoral Coalitions to Advance Early Childhood Development project. His role at the Center involves project implementation, grant writing, research leadership, and disseminating findings through publications and presentations at local and international conferences.
Desmond is a seasoned clinician with a background in public health, research management, health policy analysis and health economics. He is a budding academic who moderates courses in health policy, health systems and health economics at the University of Ghana and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medical Medicine (MSc. Adolescent & Reproductive Health Policy & Programming). Desmond holds a Master of Philosophy in Health Services Management from the University of Ghana. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Public Health specializing in health economics at the University of Ghana. His thesis focuses on the cost-effectiveness of carrying out routine health screening among adolescents in basic schools, secondary schools and communities in Ghana and how this improves the health and wellbeing of these adolescents.
His research interests include evaluation of health policies and the economics of policies especially in the early life of children, economic analysis, and assessment of health technologies. He is passionate about the economic implications of health policies and interventions in early childhood, striving to find innovative ways to improve child development, care accessibility and affordability for all.
Stephen Oppong
Stephen Oppong is a dynamic public health professional with expertise in implementation research, data management, and community-based health interventions. At the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD) Ghana, he coordinates multi-site projects, supervises teams, and leads stakeholder engagement to enhance project impact. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Ghana. His research focuses on families of children with developmental disabilities, post-COVID-19 mental health, and community health. Stephen’s work spans cross-cultural studies in Ghana, Japan, and the USA, and he has contributed extensively to autism-related research. A skilled graphic designer and volunteer, he creates educational content and supports inclusive learning initiatives.
Osei-Mensah Rockson
Osei-Mensah Rockson is a public health researcher with expertise in implementation research, data management, and community-based health interventions. At the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD) Ghana, he serves as a Research Coordinator, supporting the coordination of multi-site studies, supervising field teams, and engaging key stakeholders to strengthen project delivery and research impact. He holds a master’s degree in public health and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Ghana. His research spans across areas including public mental health, maternal and child health, substance use and abuse, HIV/AIDS, implementation research, non-communicable diseases, and community based participatory research. Rockson has participated in multidisciplinary and cross institutional projects in Ghana and internationally, contributing to policy relevant research outputs and community focused interventions. He is committed to translating research evidence into practice to improve health and developmental outcomes for children, families, and underserved communities.
Isaac Naab
Isaac Naab is a Research Trainee at the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development – Ghana, where he leads the qualitative component of the EPIC Project (Engaging Policy Makers for Intersectoral Collaboration for Children). His work focuses on conducting Policy and Political Economy Analysis (PPEA) of policies that address children, with a particular emphasis on Early Childhood Development (ECD).
Isaac holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Ghana and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at the same institution. His research interests span child health policy, governance for early childhood development, health systems, non-communicable diseases and the socio-political factors that influence equitable service delivery for children.
Beyond research, Isaac supports proposal development, contributes to academic writing and dissemination, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance evidence-informed policymaking. He is particularly passionate about generating insights that strengthen intersectoral collaboration and improve developmental outcomes for children in Ghana