Partners Operating Safety Officer

CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME: BARIMA AKWASI AMANKWAAH

TEL: 252********

Email: ************@*******.***

BRIEF PROFILE

Barima Akwasi Amankwaah is a results-oriented development practitioner with over 20 years of working experience. He has expertise in Policy and Partnerships Development and Child Protection focusing on Human Rights, Gender and Development, Child Protection including Children Rights, Child Labour, Child Health and Adolescent Reproductive Health. He is knowledgeable in using multimedia tools and platforms to pursue Advocacy, Communication and Information Dissemination to influence policy and organizational relationships building.

Barima has a lot of experience working with governmental bodies, United Nations (UN) agencies, African Union (AU), International and local NGOs and ECOWAS on policy, human rights and child protection issues.

He has over the last decade led the main network organization that leads advocacy for policy development and child rights in Ghana, NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child. He provides organizational leadership to take strategic decisions, develop annual work plans, fundraising and preparation of reports to donors and partners.

Barima has qualifications in Social Work, Education, Gender and Development as well as Human Resource Development. He also has practical experience in organizational management, policy influencing, advocacy, training, research, monitoring and evaluation as well as excellent presentation skills. He is a proficient user of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power point, Project and Outlook) and Data Analysis. He is a member of a number of coalitions, networks and boards. He is currently a member of the International Board of ECPAT International representing Western and Central Africa.

Education

Year Institution Qualification

2019: MPhil in Education, Gender and Development -Institute of Development and Technology[1]

2014: BBA, Human Resource Management - Methodist University College of Ghana[2]

2003: Diploma, Youth Development - University of Ghana

2002: Diploma, Social Work – University of Ghana

2000: Electrical Engineering Technician - Kumasi Polytechnic-

1997: Senior Secondary Examination Certificate - Technology Secondary School

Other Relevant Training (Selected)

Year

Course title

Institution/Venue

2018

Report Writing Skills to AU & UN Human rights bodies

Nairobi, Kenya

2017

Strategic Information Dissemination Training

Kumasi

2008

Training in Policy Analysis and budgeting

ILGS, Accra

2006

Training on HIV/AIDS Counselling and Testing

NACP, Accra

2005

Training on SPSS for Research

CEDEP, Kumasi

2004

Research Methods

University of Ghana

2004

Leadership Skills, Financial Mgt. and Voluntarism in Youth Development

UNDP, Accra

2003

Training on Child Rights Business Principles

Dakar, Senegal

2003

Training on Facilitation and Participation Development Methodology

CEDEP, Kumasi

2003

Leadership and Strategic Thinking development

University of Ghana

2002

Governance, Advocacy and Human Rights Training

ILGS, Accra

2001

Counseling and Communication Skills training

KNUST, Kumasi

2001

Human Rights, Advocacy, Governance & Leadership Skills

KNUST, Kumasi

1999

Training on Report Writing and Data Collection

Kumasi

Professional Experience

June 2014 – Date - Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC)- National Coordinator

Key Functions/Accomplishment

Coordinates and manages a network of about 70 child rights organizations in Ghana

Manages the Secretariat of the organization and provides technical support to the member organizations

Works with the member organizations to develop resolutions and position papers on critical national issues to influence policies on child rights and protection

Serves as the Chief Spokesperson for the coalition, represents and leads its advocacy activities to influence policy at national and international level

Establishes systems and approaches to coordinate partnerships development for the coalition by attracting new members organizations to the network and develop new strategic partnerships and stakeholders

Leads fundraising and new business development activities of the organization through proposal writing, concept development and partnerships engagements leading to more than 500 per cent increase in the organization’s budget

Coordinates the inter-organizational relationship building with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, NGOs, International Organizations, District Assemblies and others

Works with teams to develop communication strategy, communication plan and advocacy materials for dissemination to influence national policies on education and child rights

Serves as a key member of Ghana’s National Steering Committee on Child Labour Elimination where child protection legislations, policies, interventions, and monitoring are discussed

Provides administrative oversight of the operations of the organization in its programming, projects implementation, monitoring evaluation and learning

Establishes monitoring, evaluation and learning tools and systems to measure results and impact of projects and the overall operations of the organization

Represents child rights NGOs/CSOs on government advisory committees and other sub committees as well as meetings with development partners

Leads the preparation of annual reports including financial reports to donors and partners

Prepares GNCRC annual work plans and oversee the day-to-day programme implementation of the Coalition

Conducts trainings on child protection issues for members organizations, non-members, government officials and private organizations

Coordinated CSOs report to UN Expert committee on children, African Expert Committee on children, Universal Periodic Reports, Sustainable Development Goals Platforms and many other human rights platforms

Led Child Rights CSOs delegations to present alternative report to UN Expert committee, African Expert Committee on children, Universal Periodic Reports and other international platforms.

I am a certified Child Protection and Safety Officer

Coordinated the 5 years Girls Advocacy Alliance project in Ghana in Ashanti, Eastern, Northern, Upper West and Greater Accra

Coordinated the 5 years Girl Power project implemented in Ashanti, Eastern and Upper West region

Coordinated the implementation of the Child Rights Monitoring programme in all regions in Ghana

Coordinated the implementation of the Child sexual exploitation project for Central, Brong Ahafo, Western, Upper East and Greater Accra regions respectively.

May 2010 – May 2014: Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC)- National Programmes Officer

Key Functions/Accomplishment

Assisted the National Coordinator in conducting all field level programme coordination on programmes/projects

Worked closely with the National Coordinator and partners in the realization of the organization goal and objectives

Provided administrative support to National Coordinator including scheduling appointments, assist in responding to routine letters

Supported the National Coordinator to prepare and submit quarterly reports and other project related documents, including most significant change stories

Assisted in the design; implementation and monitoring of programmes

Assisted in resource mobilization/mobility and help in the maintenance of network.

Assisted in the documentation of project implementation process as per the project/programmes requirements

Contributed in communication and publication on behalf of the Coalition

Assisted in the updating of the organizational website

Represented the Coalition at meetings, workshop and other forums.

Provided technical assistance to the Child Rights CSOs on programme planning and implementation

Member of The Planning Committee for World Day Against Child Labour- 2012- Date

Member of The Sub-Committee on Research and Advocacy- National Steering Committee on Worst Forms of Child Labour- 2012-Date

Member of National Child Labour Elimination Committee Feb 2013-Date

Presentation During the Visit of ILO General Secretary to Ghana on The Elimination of Child Labour- November 2013

Presentation to Parliamentary Select Committee on Children, Gender and Child Labour Committee - Nov. 2013

Paper Presentation at II World Conference on Child Labour, Brasilia, Brazil-Oct. 2013

Nov. 2007- Sept. 2009 – Aid for Change- Programme Manager

Key Functions/Accomplishment

Managed the development and implementation of programmes and projects.

Support the Executive Director in the development, implementation and maintenance of a robust programme and project management framework ensuring alignment with organization strategic plan

Ensured that risk and issues are identified within the programme(s) and associated projects and that the relevant links were made across the programmes.

Ensured that management systems were in place to ensure that risks were reduced

Led periodic reviews of projects and programmes and coordinated monitoring of action plans.

Supported the Executive Director to prepare and submit quarterly reports and other project related documents, including most significant change stories to Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations

Liaised with various District Assemblies on design, implementation and evaluation of projects

Liaised with community leaders and members to prepare and implement community action plans

May. 2002- Oct. 2007 – Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) - Programme Officer

Key Functions/Accomplishment

Organized programs and activities in accordance with the mission and goals of the organization.

Developed new programs to support the strategic direction of the organization.

Prepared a periodic budgets and work plans for the program.

Developed an evaluation tool to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Wrote funding proposals to guarantee uninterrupted delivery of services.

Implemented and managed changes and interventions to ensure project goals are achieved.

Held meetings with stakeholders to make communication easy and transparent regarding project issues and decisions on services.

Produced accurate and timely reporting of program status throughout its life cycle.

Conducted counseling and facilitated testing of people living with HIV/AIDS

Coordinated youth empowerment programmes

Assisted in the implementation of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Adolescent Reproductive Health programmes for selected NGOs and District Assemblies within regions in Ghana.

May 05-Oct. 2007 – Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) – Volunteer

Key Functions/Accomplishment

Developed Plans of Action for programme

Coordinated orientation programmes and initial training requirements for volunteers.

Ensured programme staff acquired skills needed to train, supervise, and engage other staff placed in their department.

Prepared and maintained documents related to staff management, human resource policies and procedures, job descriptions, training manuals, etc.

Networked with and speak to community groups to advance the visibility of the CEDEP programmes

Worked with communications staff to develop content for media, newsletters, annual reports, etc.

Maintained staff records with electronic back-ups.

Analyzed, prepared, and presented outcome reports on departmental and organizational operations

Research Work

oNovember 21: Co Author- Rainforest Alliance: Mapping child and forced labour HRDD systems in Ghana’s cocoa and gold sectors

oNovember 21: Co-Author - Rainforest Alliance: Mapping government, cocoa and gold companies’ commitments to tackle child and forced labour

oJune 2021: COCOBOD’s Unrealized Potential: Promoting Human Rights, Welfare, and the Environment in Ghana’s Cocoa-Growing Communities

oJan. 2019: Lead Researcher and Author: Effects of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children on the development of girls in the Cape Coast Metropolis

oMay 2017: Co-Researcher: Kanko Associates - Developing ECCD (0-3) for Ghana,

oJan. 2017: Lead Researcher: End of project evaluation on Positive Discipline Project for ActionAid Ghana

oMay 2015: Co-Researcher: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Central, Western and Greater Accra region of Ghana

oFeb. 2012: Team Member- Research on Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Greater Accra, With International Needs, Ghana

oSept. 2011: Lead Researcher: Juvenile Justice Administration Procedures in Ghana- GNCRC

oAugust 2010: Lead Researcher: Evaluation on Child Panel Implementation In 6 Districts in Ghana- GNCRC

oDec. 2009: Co Researcher: Evaluation on Access to School In 5 Districts in The Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

oNov. 2009 Team Leader: Needs Assessment for Communities In 5 Districts in The Brong Ahafo Region

oJuly 2009: Field Enumerator: Research Conducted on Owning of Land in The Dormaa Municipality

oAugust 2004: Field Enumerator: Research on Needs Assessment for Youth in The BAK District of Ashanti Region, CAFOD

oJune 2007: Field Enumerator: Research Conducted on Teacher Deployment in 6 District of the Ashanti Region- 2007

oNov. 2006: Field Enumerator: Conducted Research on Capitation Grant For 6 Districts of the Ashanti Region- 2006

oMarch 2005: Field Assistant: Research on Needs Assessment for Youth in Some Selected Rural Areas of Ashanti Region, ICR

oSeptember 2005: Field Enumerator: Research on Community Needs Assessment for 8 Implementing Partners Operating in Ashanti Region on Health Rights

Professional Membership

o2018-date: Board Member- Representative for Western and Central Africa, ECPAT International, Thailand

o2018- date: Chairman - National Early Childhood and Care Development (ECCD)

o2018-date: Sub-Committee Chair - Resource Mobilization Committee for the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour

o2018-2019 - Chair for the drafting of a new Child Labour Monitoring System for Ghana

oJuly 2016: Member of the Negotiation team for NSCCL[3]-Child Labour

oJanuary 2016: Country Coordinator, for Girls Advocacy Alliance Project

oMarch 2015: Member of The National Advocacy and Communication Team (National Child and Family Welfare Policy

oJan. 2015- 2018 - Member of The Core Team Reviewing the National Plan of Action on the Worst Forms of Child Elimination

oMarch 2015: Member of The National Advocacy and Communication Team (National Child and Family Welfare Policy

o2012 - date: Member of the Sub-Committee on Research and Advocacy- National Steering Committee on Worst Forms of Child Labour

National and International Meetings and Conferences Attended

oJuly 2019: Led Ghana Child Rights Organizations to make a presentation during High Level political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 4,5,8 and 16) in UN, New York, July 2019

oMarch 2018: Co-presenter during Ghana’s side meeting during CSW under the theme “role Civil Society Organization on the Empowerment of girls and Young Women” in UN, New York

oOctober 2017: Led Child Rights CSOs to make a presentation on selected thematic issues during Universal Periodic Report, UN Human Rights Session

oAugust 2017: Part of Government delegation to make presentation on Child labour situation in Ghana during 7th Child Labour Cocoa Coordinating Group (CLCCG) Meeting in Washington DC, USA

oMay 2016: Led the Coalition to do presentation during 11th Pre-session Africa Expert Committee on the Rights and Welfare of Children (AECRWC), in Addis Ababa

oJune 2015: Co Panelist during UN Human rights Council sub meeting on Gender base violence perspective in Ghana

oMay 2015: Part of Government Committee to attend the 69th Expert Committee meeting on rights of the Child

oSeptember 2014: Led GNCRC and Child Rights NGOs to make a presentation during 69th Pre-session Expert Committee meeting

oOctober 2013: Part of Government delegation to Third Global Conference on Child Labour

Selected Workshops Facilitated

oOctober 2021: Consultant- Training of Community Child Protection Committee (CCPCs) in Ghana- ILO Ghana office

oAug.-Nov. 2021: Lead Facilitator – Capacity building workshop for security officials on counter- trafficking and irregular migration, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection- Human Trafficking Unit

oJune 2021: Lead Facilitator- Trainers of Trainers workshop for six (6) selected districts in Ghana on child labour, child trafficking, child protection and partnership.

oDec. 2020: Lead facilitator for Girls Advocacy Alliance project in Ghana

oOct. 2018: Lead Facilitator - Africa regional conference on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

oApril 2018 – Lead facilitator - workshop for Community Child Protection Committee Members at Goaso, Brong Ahafo Region, for Fairtrade Africa, Ghana Office.

oSept. 2017-February 2018: Lead facilitator - workshop for Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs) and for selected districts for ILO Caring Gold Mining project

oSept. 2017: Co-facilitated workshop on Universal Periodic Report with Mission Heads and Ambassadors

oJuly 2017: Lead facilitator, training for selected media on Human Trafficking and Child Rights issues

oMay 2016: Lead Facilitator - workshop on organizational assessment for Defence for Children International (Sierra Leone and Liberia)

oJan. 2016: Lead facilitator for Girls Advocacy Alliance project in Ghana

oOctober 2015: Lead Trainer on new modalities and strategies for child labour elimination

oApril 2013: Facilitated the Monitoring Visit by Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Netherlands to Ghana

oAugust 2012: Co facilitator for National Review on Alternate Report to UN Special Committee on Children

REFERENCES

MR VINCENT FRIMPONG MANU PROF BEATRICE OKYERE

DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT &

MIDDLE BELT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

REPUBLIC OF GHANA CAPE COAST

TEL: +233-******** TEL:050*******/026******* ******@*****.*** ********.********@*****.***

EDMUND AMARKWEI FOLEY

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND

DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA (IHRDA)

TEL: +233*********

EMAIL: ********@*****.***/ **********@*****.***

Date: 24th November, 2021

Barima Akwasi Amankwaah

[1] Affiliated to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

[2] Affiliated to University of Ghana, Accra

[3] National Steering Committee for the Elimination of Child Labour

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