Our Team

Sarah Gardner
Chief Executive
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Gabriel Maanibe
Director of Operations
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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
Programmes and Impact Manager
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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

Benon Rexford
Project Manager
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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
Julius Maaire Walier
Hub Manager
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Sylvester Karbo
Hub Manager
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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.

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
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Rachel Barker
Admin and Finance Officer
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Support Staff

Kaafaa Felicia
Cook – Dowine JHS
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Kuukaa Anthonette
Cook – Dowine JHS
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Pogvi Jacline
Cook – Dowine JHS
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Konisuur Emelia
Cook – Gombile JHS
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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
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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
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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
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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
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My name is Domminuor Sophia, from Lawra, Zeng-kaa. I am married with 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys.

Tominebe Christiana
Cook – Model Girls JHS
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My name is Tominebe Christiana, from Lawra, Tuori. I am married with 5 children, 4 girls and 1 boy.

Your Josephine
Cook – Model Girls JHS
My name is Your Josephine, and I am from Lawra, Yagtuuri. I am married with 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy.More Info

Banghu Ikaa
Cook – Bagri Junction JHS
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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
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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.

ATE Consultants
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ATE has trained 31 bright, young local people to help work with our businesses. We combine our trustees’ knowledge of business, ATE staff’s development experience and the consultants’ local knowledge and ability to interact with the people we work with. Between them they have a range of valuable skills, qualifications and experience which is utilised across the full spectrum of our programmes. We are extremely grateful for their time and dedication to working with ATE to tackle poverty in their own communities across the Upper West.
Trustees

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
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. More Info
trustees@ateghana.org

Susan Suchopar
Trustee
Susan is involved in the day-to-day running of ATE where provides support to all activities. She acts as human resources advisor, policy advisor and attends to monthly Operational Management Meetings. Susan is a key fundraiser and advocate for ATE.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
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trustees@ateghana.org
Jennifer Congrave
Trustee
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trustees@ateghana.org
Jacob Winter
Trustee
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trustees@ateghana.org
Nathalie Burdet
Trustee
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trustees@ateghana.org
Suki Ritchie
Trustee
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trustees@ateghana.org