Our Team

Sarah Gardner 

Chief Executive 

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Sarah is Founder and Chief Executive of Action Through Enterprise. With a background as a primary school teacher, Sarah’s great passion is enabling young people to access education and creating opportunities for brighter futures. Living in West Berkshire with her 3 year old daughter, Sarah is a dedicated leader of a 34 staff team and ATE’s 3 transformational development programmes. In her spare time, she is an enthusiastic trustee for Hungerford Youth and Community, a keen gardener, and is enjoying cowriting her memoir ‘To Lawra with Love’.

sarah@ateghana.org

Gabriel Maanibe

Country Director

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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.”

gabriel@ateghana.org

Tara Colsell-Hawes

Development Director

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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.

tara@ateghana.org 

Kaamil Issahaku

Lawra Manager

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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.

kaamil@ateghana.org

Michele Carlisle

Head of Communications

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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.

michele@ateghana.org

 

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

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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.

 

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

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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.

 

Ernestina Gan

SNAP Coordinator

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Helen Gala

SNAP Coordinator

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Rachel Barker

Admin and Finance Officer

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Kakpe Kuube-isaan

Development Intern

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Kanyiri Kuube-isaan

Development Intern

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Lamisi Karbo

Catering Coordinator

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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

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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.

 

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

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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.

 

Domminuor Sophia

Cook – Model Girls JHS

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Tominebe Christiana

Cook – Model Girls JHS

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Your Josephine

Cook – Model Girls JHS

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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

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My name is Tieryawa Nonyoone, and I am from Lawra, Konwob. I am married with 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls.

 

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.

Ayishetu Mohammed

Cook – Kunyukuo JHS

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Otto Evelyn

Cook – Kunyukuo JHS

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Naasigiene Mary

Cook – Tanchara Koro JHS

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Webzie Agnes

Cook – Tanchara Koro JHS

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Edina Nuokpier

Cleaner

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Dibaar Yirle

Security Guard

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Trustees and Advisors

Dee Anderson

SNAP Advisor

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Asif Noorani

Advisor

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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.

asif@epiphany-productions.co.uk

Charles Gardner

BizATE Advisor

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Co-Founder of the organisation, and Chair of Trustees for 10 years, Charles now focuses on providing vital support to ATE’s small business development programme. Charles is instrumental in the planning, execution and monitoring of the BizATE, 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.

trustees@ateghana.org 

Peter Willetts

Trustee

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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.

trustees@ateghana.org

Nathalie Burdet

Chair of Trustees

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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.

 

trustees@ateghana.org 

Susan Suchopar

Trustee

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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.

trustees@ateghana.org 

Priyanka Devani

Trustee

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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.

trustees@ateghana.org 

Andrew Ritchie

Trustee

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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.

 

 trustees@ateghana.org

Jennifer Congrave

Trustee

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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. 

 trustees@ateghana.org

Jacob Winter

Trustee

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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. 

 trustees@ateghana.org

Nigel Henham

Trustee

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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.

 trustees@ateghana.org

Suki Ritchie

Trustee

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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.

 trustees@ateghana.org

Registered charity number: 1149988