Our Team

Sarah Gardner
Chief Executive
More Info

Gabriel Maanibe
Country Director
More Info
Gabriel Maanibe heads ATE’s operations. With considerable working experience in community development, the nonprofit and NGO sectors and also with both local and international experience, and a native of Lawra, he brings onboard the right type of leadership for the team in Lawra. Before joining ATE in this new role, Gabriel completed a master’s degree in Public Affairs and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. He has worked in the nonprofit sector both in the United States and Ghana. His career forming years in development practice, started at ATE in 2012 where he volunteered in various capacities and had the opportunity to learn some international best practices through the ATE’s training as part of the BIzATE small business development program. Gabriel attained a Senior Consultant status at ATE due to the enormous experience he gained while volunteering in conducting feasibility studies, data collection, field monitoring, and small business training.
Gabriel says “In this role, I am shooting for greater achievements together with my team here in Lawra and in close collaboration with our UK team. This position has put me in a position where I would be able to utilize my experience effectively in designing programs that will fit in well with the needs of our beneficiaries. I am committed to advancing the overall mission of this organization as we move forward.”

Tara Colsell-Hawes
Development Director
More Info
Tara started at ATE as a Research and Projects Intern in 2018, working on different projects including our ‘Support for Girls Workshops’ during a month trip to Lawra. After two years as ATE’s Operations and Projects Officer, a varied role involving communications, finance, fundraising and project work, in January 2022 she took on the role of Programmes and Impact Manager. Tara is particularly passionate about girls education, and in her new role she is excited to work further with communities in Lawra Municipal to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls.

Kaamil Issahaku
SNAP Project Lead and Deputy Director
Kaamil is a dynamic, young and energetic man from a renowned Muslim family in the Lawra community of Zongo. He has worked at the office of the Lawra District Assembly for the past 10 years as a community information centre manager. Having worked in collaboration with the District Social Welfare and Community Development Office and having been in frequent contact with people living with disabilities, Kaamil was moved to become an advocate for people living with disabilities. When he saw the role of SNAP leader being advertised he decided to apply so that he could contribute to the development of SNAP and ATE’s work, so that ‘together we can put smiles in the faces of the vulnerable in our society’ and grant them their rights free from discrimination.More Info

Michele Carlisle
Head of Communications
Michele is a TV executive producer and co-author of To Lawra With Love, Sarah Gardner’s memoir. She has been using her storytelling experience to develop Action Through Enterprise’s communications, enabling us to engage supporters and donors in our inspiring work.More Info

Benon Rexford
Project Manager
More Info
I am a born native of Ambori. Ambori is a community in Lawra. I have lived a major part of my life in Lawra. For the sake of schooling, I have lived outside of Lawra in Wa for sometime too. Financial Accounting is what I studied in school. But I have a passion for the less privileged. There has being a question in my mind: “In the future, what contribution can I make in the lives of the poor to put a smile on their faces?” Bridging the gap between the poor and the less privileged has being my heartbeat because I have being though that road. So when I heard that ATE Ghana was recruiting a Project Assistant, I knew this was it.

Charity Kyekpo
Hub Manager
I am Charity Kyekpo. I am a native of Eremon-Danko. But currently a resident in Lawra. I offered Home Economics. I am now undergoing Educational training with the University of Cape Coast distance centre at Lawra. I am a single mother and I’m pursuing a Diploma in Basic Education. I will like to thank ATE for their work in Lawra especially, fighting poverty. I have tasted poverty and have experienced it’s negative effects. As a member of the team now, I know my experience will be of benefit to my work here as I also look forward to growing in the job and getting new skills.More Info

Sylvester Karbo
Hub Manager
More Info
I am Sylvester Karbo. A young ambitious and service oriented person who has developed a matured approach of any task I undertake or situation am presented with. I am a native of Lawra. I studied Languages and translation. I have work with NGO’s and local sector with over seven years experience, and developed a career in community development and project management.
I am a self- motivated, reliable team leader, and I am driven by passion to make a positive impact in the lives of people around me. I was moved by the work of ATE to reduce poverty in the lives of people in Lawra. I feel it’s a great opportunity to contribute to such a worthy course.

Julius Maaire Walier
Hub Manager
More Info
Julius Walier Maaire is the Hub Manager for Biro and Gombile Hub, and Lawra Hub. Based on his work experience in community development in the local NGO sector, and a native of Lawra, he offers to ATE the right type of team work. Julius earned his diploma in Journalism and Media Studies from the Institute Of Business Management and Journalism in 2017. His career forming years in communication practice started at Radio Freed in 2011 where he served as a volunteer. He has worked in the NGO sector for 11 years, at organisations such as AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Malaria Control Limited, and Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) department. This experience in the NGO sector brings him to ATE!
Julius says “ATE is not work, not a job, it is a family. Working with ATE is not like working for other NGOs. I have worked with other NGOs, but with ATE, I feel like I am at home with own family, and so am committed to advancing the overall mission of this organization as we go on.”

Esther Bekah
SNAP Coordinator
My name is Esther Bekah. I come from Lawra Newtown. I completed Eremon Senior High School and am now a married woman with 2 children. I live with my husband and the two children who attend school. My husband is a farmer and I was just a housewife until I joined ATE. ATE fights poverty in Lawra Municipality and that makes me happy. I am excited to work with the organisation to share ideas and work to help the disabled children of Lawra.More Info

Helen Gala
SNAP Coordinator
More Info

Rachel Barker
Admin and Finance Officer
More Info

Kakpe Kuube-Issan
Development Intern
More Info

Kanyiri Kuube-Isaan
Development Intern
More Info

Lamisi Karbo
Catering Coordinator
More Info
Support Staff

Kaafaa Felicia
Cook – Dowine JHS
More Info

Kuukaa Anthonette
Cook – Dowine JHS
More Info

Pogvi Jacline
Cook – Dowine JHS
More Info

Konisuur Emelia
Cook – Gombile JHS
More Info
My name is Konisuur Emelia, from Gombile, Kuuyelyir, and I am married with two children. I take my work as a cook seriously because the salary I receive helps my children in sickness, in school, and also enables me to support at home.

Moses Gifty
Cook – Gombile JHS
More Info
My name is Moses Gifty, from Gombile, Sammayir, and I am married with three children. I am pleased to work with ATE because it helps me settle hospital bills, feed my family, and take care of my children in school. It is a privilege to partake in my community’s development in my role as a cook with ATE.

Naasoma Yelbeen
Cook – Gombile JHS
My name is Naasoma Yelbeen, from Gombile, Janteeyir, and I am widowed with 7 children and 6 grandchildren. My husband was a peasant farmer. He took care of the family’s financial needs through his farming. Now the burden is on my shoulders. I am able to take care of my family needs through my work as a cook with ATE.More Info

Songbata Piutoar
Cook – Biro JHS
More Info
My name is Songbata Piutoar, from Dooyir, and I am married with 6 children. I like this job because it helps me help in the family like buying of uniforms, books, and sandals for my kids in school. Through this work I am able to support my husband’s peasant farming too.

Naamwin-ir Songbo
Cook – Biro JHS
More Info
My name is Naamwin-ir Songbo, from Biro, Kuuluoryir, and I am married with 4 children and 7 grandchildren. I like to work as a cook with ATE because I am contributing to community development. It also aids my life and my family financially.

Sogleto Longwuor
Cook – Biro JHS
My name is Sogleto Longwuor, from Biro, Naayir, and I am married with 8 children and 2 grandchildren. Our children now have food to eat at school. This motivates me. I am also empowered at home to support my husband in taking care of the family.More Info

Domminuor Sophia
Cook – Model Girls JHS
More Info

Tominebe Christiana
Cook – Model Girls JHS
More Info

Your Josephine
Cook – Model Girls JHS
More Info

Banghu Ikaa
Cook – Bagri Junction JHS
More Info
My name is Banghu Ikaa, and I am from Lawra, Orbile. I am married with 6 children, 3 girls and 3 boys.

Tieryawa Nonyoone
Cook – Bagri Junction JHS
My name is Tieryawa Nonyoone, and I am from Lawra, Konwob. I am married with 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls.More Info

Sog-Yang Zeg-ir
Cook – Bagri Junction JHS
More Info
My name is Sog-Yang Zeg-ir, and I am from Lawra, Tabier. I am married and have 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy.

Ayishetu Mohammed
Cook – Kunyukuo JHS
More Info

Otto Evelyn
Cook – Kunyukuo JHS
More Info

Naasigiene Mary
Cook – Tanchara Koro JHS
More Info

Webzie Agnes
Cook – Tanchara Koro JHS
More Info

Edina Nuokpier
Cleaner
More Info

Dibaar Yirle
Security Guard
More Info
Trustees and Advisors

Dee Anderson
SNAP Advisor
More Info

Asif Noorani
Advisor
Asif is a behaviour change specialist and board level advisor, fostering creativity and collaboration across the domains of art, science, engineering, and design. As a former trustee of UK Youth and current Governor of the University of Worcester, he brings his wide experience and insight to Action Through Enterprise. He has visited the Lawra district on four occasions, including time as a BizATE volunteer and producing two films to show the impact of the charity’s work in action.More Info
asif@epiphany-productions.co.uk

Nathalie Burdet
Trustee
Nathalie is a marketing and communications executive specialising in building brands globally and helping business grow. She provides strategic marketing and communications advice to ATE and is mentoring some of our local team members. She is a keen runner and recently ran the half marathon in Accra and a trip to Lawra to fundraise for ATE and meet the local team and the communities. More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Peter Willetts
Trustee
Peter is involved in the day-to-day running of ATE. In his working life, he was involved in the operations of businesses so he attends the monthly Operational Management Meetings and gives support in the finance and project areas as well. Peter is a key fundraiser and advocate for ATE.More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Charles Gardner
Chair of Trustees
As well as being Chair of Trustees, Charles is instrumental in the planning, execution and monitoring of the BizATE Program, where his extensive business background contributes significantly. Regular trips to Ghana are an important part of his role, where Charles facilitates training workshops for ATE’s Small Business Owners and Consultants. Charles’s business background included senior roles in Kantar Retail, Glendinning Management Consultants, St.Ivel, Tesco and Sara Lee. More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Susan Suchopar
Trustee
Susan has been a Trustee of ATE for nearly 10 years. She provides support over a wide range of activities, particularly in the area of Human Resources management. She is a strong advocate for ATE particularly in the local Wiltshire area.More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Priyanka Devani
Trustee
Priyanka is a development practitioner specialising in education and gender programming. During her career, including her work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, she has designed and managed large-scale implementation programmes supporting communities across a variety of humanitarian and conflict-affected contexts. She provides strategic advice to ATE’s programmes, including how to mainstream gender and inclusion into projects and initiatives.More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Andrew Ritchie
Trustee
Andrew is ATE’s Treasurer and completes the management and annual published accounts from the detailed records kept in the UK and Ghana. After a financial career in multinational companies, both large and small, he uses his extensive accountancy expertise and experience to provide advice on all areas of finance. As the Charity has developed, he has worked to strengthen its financial procedures and controls. More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Jennifer Congrave
Trustee
Jenny has fourteen years of experience in the international development sector working in a variety of contexts globally, with a host of diverse communities and the public, private, NGO and academic sectors. More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Jacob Winter
Trustee
Jacob is an experienced international development practitioner who has been key in the continuous improvement of accountability and the introduction of systematic quality management at Dutch development agency Cordaid. More recently he managed the development and worldwide rollout of unified management standards, with compliance checks, in the international Caritas network. He contributes to the Board’s strategic planning, is involved in some HR activities and will be working with ATE management to explore fundraising opportunities in the Netherlands. More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Nigel Henham
Trustee
Nigel grew up in Ghana and retains personal and business links with the country. A chartered architect with project management and development consultancy experience, he has supported Action Through Enterprise for several years, raising funds and awareness of the charity and its work in Ghana through the Rotary organisation on local, national and international platforms.More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Suki Ritchie
Trustee
Suki supports ATE’s financial management as well as providing input and advice across other operational aspects of the organisation. Having trained as a chartered accountant and worked as a transformation consultant, she now specialises in operations at a large multinational, covering a range of areas including people development, process improvement, supplier management and technology enablement.More Info
trustees@ateghana.org