FCAB Africa: The Launch of a Multinational Collaboration

AN EVENT OF THE

22nd Biennial Conference of the International Consortium for Social Development

Hosted by the University of Johannesburg

FCAB AfricaThe Launch of a Multinational CollaborationJuly 15, 2021

Livestream the FCAB Africa launch event!https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1gqxvolDdeWKB

https://www.facebook.com/csda.uj/live_videos/

https://unc.zoom.us/j/92755730932

ContactDr. David AnsongSchool of Social Work University of North Carolina at Chapel [email protected]

Dr. Moses Okumu School of Social Work University of Illinois at [email protected]

Center for Social Development Washington [email protected]/FCABAfrica

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1gqxvolDdeWKB

https://www.facebook.com/csda.uj/live_videos/


mailto:ansong%40email.unc.edu?subject=

mailto:okumu%40illinois.edu?subject=

mailto:csd%40wustl.edu?subject=

mailto:https://csd.wustl.edu/FCABAfrica?subject=

An event of the 22nd Biennial Conference of the International Consortium for Social Development, July 13–16, 2021 1

An Overview of FCAB AfricaFinancial Capability and Asset Building in Africa (FCAB Africa) is a strategic partnership among a diverse set of university researchers, social-work and human-service practitioners, financial-service providers, policymakers, and donors. The initiative aims to increase financial capability and asset holding in order to improve financial stability and security of socially and financially marginalized populations in Africa, thereby strengthening their social and economic well-being.

The initiative will achieve this goal by equipping frontline human-service practitioners with basic financial knowledge and skills for their work with marginalized populations. Social workers, community-development practitioners, health-care providers, teachers, counselors, and other human-service professionals regularly serve such populations, which may benefit from financial guidance and coaching. The initiative will also work with financial-service providers to create a comprehensive financial-development program delivered through existing services, including fintech.

The FCAB Africa initiative is led by Dr. David Ansong (School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Dr. Moses Okumu (School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) in partnership with the Center for Social Development (CSD) in the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. CSD has defined this area of work and has undertaken extensive research and teaching on FCAB in the United States and several countries in East Asia. An FCAB textbook has been adapted for use in Singapore and mainland China. FCAB Africa aims to reach across the African continent. To date, the initiative has been joined by the University of Ghana, Uganda Christian University, the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services, and numerous partners throughout Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, and Uganda.

Launch and VisionThe event marking the launch of the FCAB Africa initiative is hosted by the University of Johannesburg as part of the 22nd Biennial Conference of the International Consortium for Social Development, a virtual gathering (July 13–16, 2021). The event brings together leaders from financial institutions, policymakers, regulators, researchers, human-service professionals, and other key stakeholders from countries participating in FCAB Africa. The event is designed to

(a) take stock of the state of financial capability in Africa,

(b) review the synergies around FCAB Africa and chart a long-term agenda for the initiative, and

(c) cultivate additional interest, momentum, and support to pursue FCAB Africa across the continent.

https://ssw.unc.edu/

https://socialwork.illinois.edu/

https://csd.wustl.edu/

https://www.ug.edu.gh/

https://ucu.ac.ug/

https://ucu.ac.ug/

https://www.cibgh.org/

http://www.uibfs.or.ug/

http://www.uibfs.or.ug/

https://www.socialdevelopment.net/22nd-icsd-conference/

2 FCAB Africa: The Launch of a Multinational Collaboration | Program and Conference Presentation Schedule

Duration Program Speakers

2 minutes11:50 SAST (S. Africa)10:50 EAT (Uganda)9:50 GMT (Ghana)5:50 EDT (U.S.)

Remarks on the Launch of FCAB Africa

Dr. Michael SherradenGeorge Warren Brown Distinguished University Professor; Founding Director, Center for Social Development Washington University in St. Louis


FCAB Africa Overview Dr. David AnsongAssociate Professor,Wallace Kuralt Early Career Distinguished Scholar,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


Reflections on FCAB Training Dr. John Mulindwa KitayimbwaDeputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs),Uganda Christian University


Reflections of a Central Bank Governor

Dr. Ernest Addison Governor, Bank of Ghana


Introduction of the Keynote Speaker

Keynote Address: Lessons on Policies That Strengthen Household Financial Resilience to Overcome Shocks

Rev. Mrs. Patricia Sappor President, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana Introduction of the Keynote Speaker

H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu BawumiaVice President, Republic of Ghana

Closing Remarks Dr. Moses OkumuAssistant ProfessorUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

LinksA livestream of the launch event may be accessed via any of the following links:

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1gqxvolDdeWKB

www.facebook.com/csda.uj/live_videos/


Agenda and Speakers for the Launch of FCAB AfricaIn the launch event on Thursday, July 15, FCAB Africa will assemble a diverse group of thought-leaders, scholars, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to offer their perspectives and vision for financial capability and asset holding in Africa.


Conference Plenaries and Presentations Related to FCABIn coordination with the International Consortium for Social Development, FCAB Africa is hosting five panels in the biennial conference’s Financial Capability and Asset Building track (Theme #6). These panels speak to current issues that have implications for achieving FCAB Africa’s vision.

On Thursday, July 15, a plenary address by Mr. Sampson Akligoh, Director of the Financial Sector Division in Ghana’s Ministry of Finance, precedes presentations on Theme 6C (Financial Inclusion: The Role of Technology), and a plenary ad-dress by Dr. Joseph France, Head of the Financial Stability Department, Bank of Ghana, precedes presentations on Theme 6D (Banking and Financial Capabilities).

Date/Time Panel Paper

Thursday, July 1513:00 SAST (S. Africa)12:00 EAT (Uganda)11:00 GMT (Ghana)7:00 EDT (U.S.)

Theme 6A: Financial Assets and Women’s Empowerment

1. Exploring the Financial Utilization and Income Autonomy of Female Sex Workers in Mumbai (Presenting Author: Megan Espana)

2. The Effect of Women’s Schooling on Household Poverty* (Presenting Author: Felix Muchomba)

3. Sustainable Livelihoods, Poverty Alleviation and Women Entrepreneurs: The Case Study of an NGO in Promoting Entrepreneurship in South Africa (Presenting Author: Prof. Tanusha Raniga)

4. U.S. Family Self-Sufficiency Programs as Vehicles for Building Assets in Vulnerable Families: Lessons from Denver (Presenting Author: Prof. Anna Maria Santiago)

5. Labor Force Participation, Land and Asset Ownership Associated with Women’s Power and Experiences of Gender Based Violence in the Sub-Saharan nations of Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda (Presenting Author: Bonita B. Sharma)


Theme 6B: Education and Capacity Building for Financial Capabilities

Moderator: David Flomo (University of Regina)

1. Strengthening the Competency of Social Work Faculty to Deliver Financial Capability and Asset Building Curriculum* (Presenting Author: Mavis Dako-Gyeke)

2. Perceptions of Social Workers on the Role of Financial Literacy Education in Facilitating Social Development (Presenting Author: Juliana Svistova)

3. Financial Capability and Asset Building Training in Ghana Through Project-Based Learning* (Presenting Author: Kingsley S. Mort)

4. The Role of Schools of Social Work and Social Workers in Promot-ing the “Unbankable”: Advancing Financial Capacity Building and Inclusion (Presenting Author: Adriaan Jordaan)

5. Strengthening Financial Capability and Asset Building Competen-cies in Social Work Education in Uganda and Ghana* (Presenting Author: Kasule Kibirige)

Continued on the next page.

https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/sites.wustl.edu/dist/a/1278/files/2020/10/CSDA-ICSD-Call-for-Abstracts-FINAL.pdf


Conference Plenaries and Presentations Related to FCAB (continued)

Date/Time Panel Paper


Theme 6C: Financial Inclusion: The Role of Technology

10-min. Plenary: Sampson Akligoh, the Director of the Financial Sector Division at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.Moderator: Dr. Muazu Ibrahim1. Traders Perspective on the Advent of Mobile Money and Its

Implications for the Financial Services Industry: Evidence from Ghana* (Presenting Author: Patience Densu)

2. A Research Agenda for Digital Financial Literacy for Policy Action in Africa* (Presenting Author: Adadzewa Otoo)

3. Mobile Money: Financial Inclusion and Welfare Effects in Ghana* (Presenting Author: Richmond Atta-Ankomah)

4. A Comprehensive Approach to Leverage Technology to Build Trust in Financial Institutions: The Bankers Approach* (Presenting Author: Stephen Hammond)


Theme 6D: Banking and Financial Capabilities

10-min. Plenary: Dr. Joseph France, Head of Financial Stability Department, Bank of GhanaModerator: Dr. Isaac Koomson (University of New England, Australia)

1. Banking the Unbanked: A Regulatory Framework to Connect Traditional Banks to Nonbank Financial Institutions* (Presenting Author: Gyimah Larbi)

2. Banking the Nations Unbanked: The Fundamental Policy Issues of Promoting Financial Capability* (Presenting Author: Dr. Christine Avortri)

3. The Importance of Financial Awareness Campaigns in Advancing Financial Capabilities: Insights from Uganda’s Banking and Financial Services Awareness Month* (Presenting Author: Goretti Masadde)

4. Secondary School Students’ Money Management Behaviors and the Implications for Emergency Savings in Uganda* (Presenting Author: Cedrick Joseph Wabwire)

5. Financial Capabilities: Do Informal Institutions Matter?* (Presenting Author: Dr. Njeri Kagotho)

Friday, July 1611:00 SAST (S. Africa)10:00 EAT (Uganda)9:00 GMT (Ghana)5:00 EDT (U.S.)

Theme 6E: Promoting Financial Capability for Particularly Vulnerable Groups

Moderator: Kefentse Kubanga (University of Alabama)

1. Perceptions of Community-Driven Welfare in Mutual Solidarity Microfinance Groups in Haiti (Presenting Author: Meera Bhat)

2. The Needs of Young Social Entrepreneurs in Accessing and Managing Finances* (Presenting Author: Efua Filson Fynn)

3. Unemployment and Poverty Alleviation in South Africa: The Effectiveness of the Skills Development Programme (SDP) in Shelters Accommodating Survivors of Domestic Violence in Gauteng Province, Republic of South Africa (RSA) (Presenting Author: Dr. Matshemo Moganedi)

4. Social Workers as Agents of Financial Capability Development Planning and Policymaking for Persons with Disabilities* (Presenting Author: Dr. Augustina Naami)

*Presentation by FCAB Africa scholar.


BiographiesFCAB Africa Launch Speakers

H. E. Mahamudu Bawumia, PhDVice President, Republic of Ghana

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana since January 2017. He chairs the Government of Ghana’s Economic Management Team, which has respon-sibility for guiding and rebuilding the Ghanaian economy. He is at the forefront of a broad, inclusive development strategy in Ghana involving the leveraging of digitised government services in transforming the delivery of public services. His efforts have seen the development of a supportive technology ecosystem resulting, for example, in the rapid growth of a Fintech industry in Ghana. Dr. Bawumia holds a bachelor of science degree in economics (Bucking-ham University, U.K.), a master of science degree in development economics (Oxford Univer-sity, U.K.), and a Ph.D. in economics (Simon Fraser University, Canada). He has held academic positions as Assistant Professor of Economics (Baylor University, U.S.A.), Visiting Scholar (Uni-versity of British Columbia, Canada), and Visiting Senior Research Associate (Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University, U.K.). He has also served as Visiting Professor of Economic Governance (Central University, Ghana). As an Economist and a Chartered Bank-er, Dr. Bawumia has had a prestigious career, which includes serving as the Deputy Governor of Ghana’s Central Bank from 2006 to 2008 and the Resident Representative of the African Development Bank in Zimbabwe in 2011. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana. He has authored several journal articles and has numerous publications to his credit, including Monetary Policy and Financial Sector Reform in Africa: Ghana’s Experience.

Ernest Addison, PhDGovernor, Bank of Ghana

Dr. Ernest Kwamina Addison was appointed Governor of Bank of Ghana by the President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in April 2017. Addison spent over 25 years working in the broader areas of public service, with a focus on economic development, monetary policy formulation and implementation, and macroeconomic surveillance. With his deep knowledge and experience in financial markets, foreign exchange market and sound macroeconomics, Governor Addison has demonstrated strong leadership, management and policy skills, and inspired confidence and credibility both within the Bank and throughout the financial sector. Under his leadership, the Bank of Ghana has achieved several success-es in the pursuit of macroeconomic and financial stability, following the implementation of prudent monetary policies to bring inflation down to single digits, and widespread policy and regulatory reforms, including major recapitalization efforts over the past three years. This has cleaned up the financial sector, strengthened governance and the supervisory frameworks, and repositioned the sector to undertake its primary role of financial intermediation for the growth and development of the country. These successes have won him and the Bank many international and domestic awards including the best central bank governor of the year in sub-Saharan Africa by the GlobalMarkets and the best central bank of the year by the central banking awards. In addition to his Governorship role, Dr. Addison served as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the IMF and World Bank at the 2020 annual meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in Washington, D.C. He is currently a Co-chair of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), a Regional Consultative Group for sub-Saharan Africa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ghana International Bank, and a member of the Ghana Cocoa Board, among others. Addison holds a degree in economics from the University of Ghana, a master’s degree in economics and politics from Cambridge University, and a doctorate with specialisation in monetary economics and economic development from McGill University.

https://presidency.gov.gh/index.php/governance/the-vice-president

https://www.bog.gov.gh/


Rev. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, PhDDeputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Uganda Christian University

Rev. Dr. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) at the Uganda Christian University. He is a computational biologist, researcher, and an astute educa-tionalist, with a track record of raising over £8 million in research funding from many diverse, international academic sources. He also serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU). He has previously served as a Board Secretary of the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme and helped to shape the retirement benefits sector in Uganda. He is a leading consultant in the setting up, governance, and management of retirement benefits scheme within the East African region. He holds a PhD in computational biology from Makerere University, an MPhil in computational biology from the University of Cambridge, a master’s in mathematical sciences from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, a master’s in divinity from Uganda Christian University, and a bachelor of science with education from Makerere University.

Michael Sherraden, PhDGeorge Warren Brown Distinguished University Professor, Washington University in St. Louis Founding Director, Center for Social Development

Dr. Michael Sherraden is the George Warren Brown Distinguished University Professor, Founding Director of the Center for Social Development at the Brown School of Social Work, and Director of the Next Age Institute at Washington University in St. Louis. Work-ing with many partners, Sherraden creates and tests innovations to improve social and economic well-being. He has defined and informed a body of applied research and policy to promote inclusion in asset building. This work has influenced asset-based policies and programs in the United States and many other countries. For example, from 2010 to 2015, he led YouthSave, a large applied research project in four developing countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, and Colombia). Sherraden was elected to the inaugural class of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, served on the board, and was co-director of Grand Challenges for Social Work. Among other awards, he has been a Fulbright Scholar and listed by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Rev. Patricia Sappor, MBA, FCIBPresident, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana

Mrs. Patricia Sappor is the current and first female president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana. She is an alumnus of the University of Leicester, U.K., where she graduated with an MBA (finance option) and holds a CPD diploma in public relations and reputational management with the London School of Public Relations. She is an innovator and a moti-vational speaker. Mrs. Sappor is a reverend minister at Action Chapel International, Ghana, and is the Director of Communications for Action Chapel International. She offers leader-ship and management training and workshops on change, time management, strategic management, customer service, banking, and other management and leadership training programs. She has to her credit a book title, The Christian Woman: Secrets to Enjoying your Marriage. In August 2017, she was adjudged the Most Outstanding Professional Woman of the Year 2016 by the Business Executive Magazine under the Feminine Achievement Award.

https://ucu.ac.ug/

https://csd.wustl.edu/

https://www.cibgh.org/


David Ansong, PhDAssociate ProfessorWallace Kuralt Early Career Distinguished Scholar, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. David Ansong is an Associate Professor and the Wallace Kuralt Early Career Distinguished Scholar in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. He is also Faculty Fellow at the Global Social Development Innovations (GSDI) center and a Faculty Director for the Global Asset Building program of the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St Louis. He has expertise in initiating, adapting, and implement-ing intervention research in resource-constrained countries (Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nepal, and Ecuador). From 2010 through 2015, Dr. Ansong played a key role in the YouthSave initiative designing and testing the impact of youth savings accounts in Colom-bia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal. Dr. Ansong is also leading a program of research in the United States to test innovative interventions to bolster the financial capability of relatives who provide permanent care for children in foster care to improve child safety and well-being.

Moses Okumu, PhDAssistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Moses Okumu is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an Adjunct Faculty at the Department of Social Work, Uganda Christian University. His research focuses on the development, implementation, and eval-uation of interventions in marginalized communities. Experienced with using collaborative and community-based participatory methods, he has worked with communities in Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, and Canada to address local needs in ways that utilize and further strength-en existing networks. He is currently working on several projects that examine the efficacy of economic security and multilevel social resilience interventions and digital delivery strategies for improving the well-being and health outcomes of youth facing multiple forms of adversity, including poverty, forced displacement, and HIV.

Plenary SpeakersSampson Akligoh, MADirector, Financial Sector Division, Ministry of Finance, Ghana

Sampson Akligoh is the Acting Director of the Financial Sector Division of the Ministry of Finance, Ghana. Prior to this role, he worked in the financial services industry in advisory, asset manage-ment, and as an economist. Sampson was the Managing Director of InvestCorp, a financial services firm in Accra, Ghana. He served as a Vice President at Databank, where he was Head of Research and a Fixed Income Strategist. He also worked at SIC Financial Services Limited and with ADC African Development Corporation AG in Frankfurt, acquired by Atlas Mara in 2014. Sampson also previously served as an Adjunct Lecturer in international economics at Ashesi University College in 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and law (first class honours) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology in Ghana and a master’s degree in economic policy and corporate strategy from the Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands.

https://ssw.unc.edu/

https://socialwork.illinois.edu/


Joseph France, PhDHead of Financial Stability Department, Bank of Ghana

Dr. Joseph France is a Director and Head of the Financial Stability Department of the Bank of Ghana. He was previously with the Banking Supervision Department of the Bank of Ghana, where he worked for twenty years in various capacities before moving to the Financial Stability Department as the head. He is a Chartered Accountant and worked with Deloitte and Touche (Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants) for almost nine years before joining the Bank of Ghana. He holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Ghana Business School and a PhD in finance from University of Costa Rica Business School, hav-ing gone through the coursework and seminars relevant to the chosen specialization at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He has been a short-term consultant to the World Bank, through which he established the policy framework and trained staff of the banking industry in the Gambia, including the Central Bank of the Gambia on International Financial Reporting Standards. He was a consultant to the West African Monetary Authority on the harmonization of Regulation and Policy of the Banking Industry in the ECOWAS region. He has been a Lecturer at the Banking College in Ghana and the West African Institute of Financial and Economic Management in Nigeria for central banks of countries in the West African Monetary Zone. He is a member of the Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ghana) Training School and the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Financial Management at the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana. He is married with three children.

Charles Ofori-Acquah, FCIBChief Executive Officer, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana

Mr. Charles Ofori-Acquah is the Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana. He is an experienced Chartered Banker with over 25 years of demonstrable track record in the banking industry. He was the Executive Director, Business Development of HFC Bank (now Republic Bank) with responsibilities for crafting the bank’s policy and strategy for retail banking, implementing Board decisions within the bank’s approved policy limits for risks. He had oversight responsibility for Treasury, International Trade Services and Marketing Departments. He previously served as Executive Director for Corporate Banking. Mr. Charles Ofori-Acquah has been a Council Member, Executive Committee Member, and a Member of the Ethics Committee of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, since 2011. He was also a Member of the Board of Directors of Republic Bank from 2012 to 2015, as well

Samuel Lartey, PhDHead of Research and Consultancy, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana

Samuel Lartey is the Head of Research and Consultancy at the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana. He is an Educationist, Academician, Banker, and a trained Researcher. He is also an Information Technology and Financial Information Scholar. Samuel has held many differ-ent leadership positions both locally and internationally. He is a Professor in finance and information technology management systems. He holds a PhD in financial management, an MBA in management information systems, and a degree in social science. He is a Chartered Financial Manager and a Chartered Project Engineer. Samuel worked for a total of 15 years in the banking sector in Ghana. He worked with Barclays Bank Ghana Ltd. (now ABSA), Stanbic Bank Ghana Ltd. He is also a Licensed Investment Adviser. An Investment Banker with pro-found experience and knowledge in global investment, structuring, finance, capital markets, and project management. Samuel Lartey served and still serves on several Corporate Boards and on various Academic and Professional Institutions Council. He was also a Member of the Board of Directors of Silicon Valley of Ghana, as well as Council Member of the European Insti-tute of Financial Directors, Regent University of Science and Technology, Dada Foundation of Wisconsin University College and International Child Resource Institute (U.S.A).


Isaac Koomson, PhDResearch Fellow, University of New England

Dr. Isaac Koomson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the University of New England’s Business School in Australia and the lead economist for the Network for Socioeconomic Research and Advancement in Ghana. He is a multidisciplinary researcher with interests in development and agricultural economics, finance, small business, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Koomson has consulted for the World Bank and the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa and other organisations. He authored the book State fragil-ity and resilience in sub-Saharan Africa: Indicators and interventions, which is published by Routledge. Dr. Koomson also has a decade of teaching experience at the University of New England in Australia, the University of Cape Coast, and the University of Professional Studies in Ghana.

Panel ModeratorsDavid Flomo, MSW, MPHLecturer, University of Regina

David Flomo is currently a Lecturer at the University of Regina, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He teaches courses in social work and justice studies, and he coordinates the Justice Studies student practicum. He holds a bachelor of arts in community development, as well as master of social work and public health degrees. He has over 15 years of social work and management practice, which include five years postgraduate research in behav-ioral health management and type 2 diabetes at Saint Louis University and Washington University medical centers. David has traveled widely in Africa, Europe, and North America, studying, presenting at various conferences, and teaching. David is currently a doctoral stu-dent at the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education. His research is focused on capacity building in postwar, postsecondary institutions in Liberia.

as Board Member of UG-Republic Bank Ghana Limited between 2012 and 2015. Mr. Charles Ofori-Acquah has participated in and facilitated several local and international trainings and conferences. These include Executive Development Programmes at Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and Stanford Graduate School of Business, U.S.A.. He worked on major assignments and played pioneering roles in implementing many innovations at Republic Bank. He was the product champion of Republic Bank in im-plementing the YouthSave Project, a MasterCard Foundation-funded programme through the University of North Carolina School of Social Work (UNC-Chapel Hill), the Center for Social Development (CSD), and Save the Children USA. Mr. Charles Ofori-Acquah holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Ghana, Legon, and an executive master’s in governance and leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management & Public Administration (GIMPA). He is an Associate of the London Institute of Banking and Finance (formerly Chartered Institute of Bankers, England) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana.


FCAB Africa Scholars

Richmond Atta-Ankomah, PhDResearch Fellow, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana

Dr. Richmond Atta-Ankomah is a researcher and a development economist. He has a long research and consultancy experience in many areas that connect with industrial develop-ment, agricultural transformation, economics of innovation and development, structural change as well as issues bordering on poverty and inequality in Ghana and other African countries. He has several publications in these areas. Currently, Richmond is a Research Fel-low at the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, where he has played key roles on several research projects. Richmond also teaches Development Economics and Quantitative Research Methods at both the master’s and PhD levels at ISSER. For many years, he has been a member of the Global Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems. Richmond is also a fellow at the Ghana node of the African Center of Excellence for Inequality Research (ACEIR).

Christine Avortri, PhD, ACIBHead of Professional Education & Development, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana

Dr. Christine Avortri is a Chartered Banker and a Lecturer at the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB), Ghana. Before joining CIB, she was a Lecturer in banking and finance with the Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Professional Studies in Ghana. She holds a PhD in business administration with a specialisation in microfinance from the Open University Malaysia. Her main areas of interest are promoting financial literacy, sustainable growth of the microfinance sector, financial inclusion, and poverty alleviation. She currently has two published books on banking, focusing on operations of banks and nonbank financial institutions. In 2019, she was adjudged the best lecturer in the Faculty of Accounting and Finance, UPSA. She teaches banking-related courses such as Elements of Banking, Banking Operations and Bank Management, Lending and Credit Management. Aside from teaching, Dr. Avortri undertakes research in microfinancing and banking. She also participates in seminars and conferences and facilitates training programs on microfi-nance clients, faith-based youth, and women groups.

Kefentse Kubanga, MSWDoctoral Student, University of Alabama

Kefentse P. Kubanga is a social work doctoral student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She holds a master of social work in youth and community practice from the University of Botswana. Her research examines economic interventions and their role in poverty alleviation among low income populations, particularly women. She is also inter-ested in rural community development, financial literacy, and social work education. Ms. Kubanga’s current work investigates the resilience characteristics of low-income women in microfinance interventions. Prior to enrolling for her doctoral studies, Kefentse was a faculty member at the University of Botswana in the Department of Social Work, where she taught courses in social work with groups and communities, social work with disabilities, and personal development. She has also worked as a social work practitioner, where she implemented psychosocial support services and programs for vulnerable individuals, fami-lies, and communities in Gaborone, Botswana.

Mavis Dako-Gyeke, PhDHead of Social Work Department, University of Ghana

Dr. Mavis Dako-Gyeke is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Social Work, University of Ghana. She has been involved in independent and collaborative research projects on child and family welfare, mental health with emphasis on stigmatization and discrimination, disability, migration, and adolescent and gender issues. Her current re-search projects focus on (a) independent migration among adolescents and (b) experiences of women living with obstetric fistula in Ghana.


Efua Filson Fynn, MBAHead of Finance and Administration, Youth Bridge FoundationChief Investment Officer at TTL Capital Limited

Efua Filson Fynn is the Head of Finance and Administration at Youth Bridge Foundation, a youth-focused NGO set up to create supportive platforms to challenge the youth’s creativity and make available critical information and resources needed for the total development of the youth. She is also the lead fund manager and Chief Investment Officer at TTL Capi-tal Limited, a licensed fund-management and investment-advisory firm managing mutual funds, private wealth, and institutional funds. Mrs. Fynn is a Chartered Accountant with twenty years of experience in senior financial management roles in manufacturing, tele-communications, and financial services industries. She holds a master’s degree in financial services management from the University of Salford, Manchester, U.K. She is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.

Robert HakizaCo-founder & Executive Director of the Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID)

Robert Hakiza is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) living in Uganda since 2008. He is a Co-founder and Executive Director of the Young African Refugees for Inte-gral Development (YARID), Uganda. He is a founding member of the Refugee-Led Organiza-tions Network. He is also a founding and steering committee member of the Global Refugee Network (GRN), representing sub-Saharan Africa. He is a refugee advocate, a TED Fellow, an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow, and an Obama Foundation Emerging African Leader. Robert holds a degree in agriculture from the Catholic University of Bukavu, DRC, and a certificate in forced migration from the International Summer School of Forced Migration at Oxford University.

Patience DensuGraduate Student, University of Ghana

Patience Densu is pursuing a master’s degree in development studies at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, Legon-Ghana. Patience has experience in both the telecommunications and insurance industries. She is into youth development.


Njeri Kagotho, PhDAssociate ProfessorChief Diversity Officer, College of Social Work, Ohio State University

Dr. Njeri Kagotho is a social worker and an Associate Professor at Ohio State University College of Social Work. Her research—which is deeply influenced by her international practice—explores the incontestable link between a family’s wealth holdings and the health behaviors and outcomes of its members. In recent years, Njeri has investigated how eco-nomic and health behavior is formed at the intersection of informal institutions (culture, social norms, and mores), and formal institutions (statutory laws, policies, and regulations). Her scholarship corroborates current science, which has determined that institutions and governance have a very real impact on well-being, regardless of people’s income and geog-raphy. Dr. Kagotho’s scholarship spans three continents and applies a transformative lens, recognizing participant-researcher power differentials and centering community voices to further the pursuit of social justice.

Kasule S. Kibirige, MSWHead of Department of Social Work & Social Administration, Uganda Christian University

Kasule S. Kibirige is a lecturer and Head of Department of Social Work & Social Administra-tion, at Uganda Christian University (UCU). He currently coordinates the community-learn-ing and international student and faculty exchange program with the Hanze University of Applied Science’s School of Social Studies in Groningen. He holds Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Botswana. His research interests include international social work fieldwork education, policy practice, child care and pro-tection in cross-cultural and multi-ethnic contexts, and refugees concerns. Before joining academia, Kibirige practiced with mobile populations such as children living and working on the streets of Kampala, Uganda. He is also a member of The National Child Protection Working Group and The National Association of Social Workers of Uganda.

Stephen Hammond, PhD, ACIBGeneral Manager, Operations of National Investment Bank Ltd., Ghana

Dr. Stephen Hammond is currently the General Manager, Operations of National Investment Bank Ltd. He is an organizational strategist, problem solver, and results-oriented individual with over 20 years of practical experience in the banking industry. His wealth of expertise and competence are in the areas of corporate restructuring, process optimization, change management, project management, banking operations, strategic & policy development and execution, and Lean Six Sigma deployment. Dr. Hammond holds a doctor of business administration from Swiss Management Centre University, Switzerland, MBA in strategic and project management from Paris Graduate School of Management, France, and BSc (Hons) in planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi. Dr. Hammond holds membership in a number of professional bodies both local and international. He is a Chartered Banker (ACIB), member of the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (GARIA), Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP), Fellow, Chartered Financial & Investment Analyst (F.FIA), Fellow, Institute of Project Management Professionals (FPMP), and Chartered Professional Administrator (Ch.PA). Internationally, Dr. Hammond holds certification as follows: Certified Project Management Practitioner (Prince 2 Practitioner), Certified Change Management Practitioner from Learning Tree, London (U.K.), Certified, Customer Service Trainer from Service Quality Institute (U.S.A.), and ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt from American Society of Quality CSSBB.


Goretti Masadde, MCIMCEO, Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services

Goretti is the CEO of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services. She is an accomplished professional who possesses versatile experience, having worked in various senior leadership positions in FMCG, tourism, social development, professional bodies’ management, private consulting, and the financial sector. In the financial services sector, Goretti headed corporate communications and product development functions of Global Trust Bank and Orient Bank. She is a professional Food Scientist and Marketer, holding a bachelor’s degree in food science and technology from Makerere University, and is a graduate of the Royal Chartered Institute of Marketing U.K. Previously, she served as the Secretary-General and President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda. Goretti is a member of the board of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Nag-amba Island, on which she chairs the finance committee. Beyond her professional career, Goretti serves on the Board of Rotary Uganda Limited as a member and serves on various Rotary country committees. Goretti has a knack for firsts. She was the first female brewer in East Africa, the first female president of the Public Relations Association of Uganda, and the first female CEO of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services.

Felix Muchomba, PhDAssistant Professor, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Dr. Felix Muchomba is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work. His research examines how policies and institutions influence the well-being of girls and women. His current approach is to study how (1) macro-level changes, including social and economic development and (2) gender discrimination within families, impact the health and well-being of girls and women. Under this research agenda, Dr. Muchomba has examined sexual and reproductive health and other issues that are pertinent to low-income families, with a focus on Eastern Africa, South Asia, and immigrants in the United States. He is currently studying policy levers that may reduce disparities in maternal health.

Kingsley Saa-Touh Mort, PhDLecturer, University of Ghana

Dr. Kingsley Saa-Touh Mort is a Carnegie Scholar and a Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Social Work. He had his PhD training at the University of Ghana and Postdoc training at the University of South Florida. He also holds a certificate in international devel-opment studies from the University of Trent, Ontario. He has previously been awarded the Canadian Education Training Awards for Africa (CETAA) for his MPhil degree. He currently teaches social welfare and social policy, social theories for social policy, and development and social issues. He is involved in several research projects on livelihoods. Dr. Mort is also the Founder and Coordinator of the Kongo Community Development Association (KoCDA), a community-based organization in the Upper East region of Ghana. KoCDA raises financial assistance to provide material support for over 130 orphans in the Nabdam district and runs an ICT center for schoolchildren. He is currently an Interim Management Committee mem-ber for the Osu School of Social Work, a committee set up by Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.


Augustina Naami, PhDSenior Lecturer, University of Ghana

Dr. Augustina Naami is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at the Univer-sity of Ghana. She holds a BA degree in economics from the University of Ghana, master’s and PhD degrees in social work from the Universities of Chicago and Utah. She teaches a range of macro-level practice and policy courses. Her research focuses on disability, mental health, the intersection of vulnerabilities, gender, social policy, and poverty. Dr. Naami has conducted local and international research. She has presented her work globally and pub-lished in high-impact peer-reviewed journals. She serves on several boards of civil society and faith-based organisations and was a member of the Technical Committee that reviewed the national disability Act, Act 715, to align to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Augustine Opoku-Antwi, PhD, ACIB

Dr. Augustine Opoku-Antwi is an economics and financial sector strategist. A researcher by training and Chartered Banker by profession, he possesses in-depth knowledge and experience in the Ghanaian Banking sector and is passionate about the development of the financial services industry. With over fourteen years of banking sector experience with glob-al reach in retail management, consumer wholesale banking, treasury operations, invest-ments, and corporate governance and strategy, he understands the overall strategy of the financial sector and implications on business entities, financial intermediation, government policies and on the economy. Augustine holds a PhD in business administration, specializ-ing in economic growth, strategy, and the financial services industries in Ghana and Nigeria, an MBA in finance, and a degree in economics. He is an Associate Member of the Ghana Chartered Institute of Bankers and a Certified Retail Banker. Augustine is Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), the highest level of Toastmasters International Educational Program on Leadership and Communications, and provides leadership at various corporate and social levels. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer and lectures on investments and portfolio analysis, financial decision making and strategy with research interest in financial sector strategy development, governance control, and financial inclusion.

Adadzewa Otoo, MAPolicy Specialist, E-Money, Alliance for Financial Inclusion

Adadzewa Otoo is a policy specialist at Alliance for Financial Inclusion. She served as the Senior Project Advisor and Event Manager for the Ecobank Fintech Challenge and Senior Director for Strategy and Africa programs at Konfidants consulting. She also worked as the Financial Capabilities Curriculum Development and Project Management Consultant for FHI360, National Consultant for the United Nations Capital Development Fund, a Women and Youth Specialist for Africa Center for Economic Transformation, assisting with a project to promote women and youth financial inclusion in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. She has also consulted for the British Council Ghana, and the World Bank Ghana Country Office. She received her bachelor’s education in social work with psychology and master’s degree in international affairs from the University of Ghana. She is also a certified project manage-ment professional with the Project Management Institute, U.S.A.


Euphracia Owuor, MAHead of Social Work Department, Nairobi Women’s Hospital College

Euphracia Owuor is Head of the Social Work Department at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital College. As a community development practitioner and social worker, Euphracia is pas-sionate about youth and women empowerment, transport issues (boda-boda), community outreach, research, and resource mobilization. Most of her work involves working with vulnerable populations, including children, elderly persons, and physically challenged per-sons. Before heading the Social Work Department, Euphracia was a Lecturer at the African Institute of Research and Development Studies and a Research Assistant at the Kenyatta University. Euphracia received her bachelor’s education in sociology and economics, a master’s degree in community development from the Kenyatta University, and certificate training in project management, monitoring, and evaluation from the African Institute of Research and Development Studies.

Cedrick Joseph Wabwire, MAResearch Supervisor, Uganda Christian University

Cedrick Joseph Wabwire is a Research Supervisor at Uganda Christian University’s Department of Social Work. He is also a Team Leader at the Grounders, a nongovernmental organization focused on advancing financial capability among youth. He holds a master’s degree in research and public policy and a bachelor’s degree in development studies. His research broadly explores the link between youth’s financial capabilities, civic engagement, and youth development. Previously, he worked as a Credit Officer for Kenya Commercial Bank-Uganda and Standard Chartered Bank, a Business Development Manager for Star-Times-Uganda, and as an Insurance Broker for Jubilee Insurance-Uganda. These experienc-es have informed Cedrick’s work in promoting financial well-being and poverty reduction policies in Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa.

Jeremy Waiswa, PhDHead of Development Studies Department, Uganda Christian University

Dr. Jeremy Waiswa is the Head of the Development Studies Department and an Institutional Review Board member at the Uganda Christian University. He has expertise in multiple re-search and evaluation methodologies. His research focuses on urban governance, planning, policy, informality, livelihoods, and community informatics. Dr. Waiswa has consulted for organizations such as the World Health Organisation, Action Aid International, World Vision, and Concern Worldwide. He is currently engaged in collaborative research between Uganda Christian University and the University of Applied Sciences at Neu-Ulm, Germany, focusing on integrating decentralized photovoltaic systems for implementing digital learning models in rural areas of Uganda.


ProductsSelected conference papers will be considered for inclusion in a special issue of the scholarly journal Global Social Welfare and in an edited book. The special issue will feature articles adapted from papers related to Africa. The edited book, a collaboration among FCAB initiatives in Asia and the United States, will examine the global state of research, practice, and policy on FCAB. It will include chapters adapted from globally oriented papers and from papers on contexts outside of Africa.

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Documents

FCAB Africa: The Launch of a Multinational Collaboration