Born and educated in Ghana, Hayford is a wonderful person with an incredible worth of experience in non-profit management, social innovation, social business and entrepreneurship. A serial entrepreneur, he brings a unique, visionary approach to development issues.
Hayford founded VPWA in 2007. It's aim is to contribute to the achievement
of the Millennium Development Goals through the mobilisation of volunteers from around the world, whilst at the same time promoting valuable international and
cultural exchange. As Director of VPWA, Hayford has implemented numerous innovative VPWA projects across a range of sectors.
Hayford is also the
Editor-in-Chief of NGO News Africa and has written several thought-provoking articles, in particular with regards to the health issues facing developing countries. His writing is regularly featured in publications such as the Ghanaweb, Modernghana, Myjoyonline, ledna, and he has been cited on Huffington
Post & Kaiser Health News, as well as several other international publications. His opinions on development issues are also sought in interviews for local and international media networks, including the
BBC, CNBC, and Vox Africa.
Hayford is married and has a son.
Connect with Hayford here.
Portia Adwoa Siaw
Director - Administration & Finance
Enterprising and driven, Portia is passionate about improving welfare and opportunities for young women in Africa.
Before joining VPWA, Portia was the country Chief Executive Officer for Citrec Worldwide, a worldwide consultancy firm for international trade, real estate and construction. She has worked with organisations in both Ghana and Nigeria.
Portia is responsible for finance and administration at VPWA.
Project Associate
Email: stephanie@vpwa.org
Stephanie is a social entrepreneur and specialist in sustainable tourism. She has an impressive background in fundraising and project management.
With vast experience of fundraising in developing countries across West Africa, Stephanie is heading up VPWA's project to construct an educational complex for deprived children from Ghana and other West African countries.
Project Associate
Email: nean@vpwa.org
A graduate from the University of Ghana, Nean brings to VPWA vast experience in human resources development as well as first class project management credentials.
Before joining VPWA, Nean worked with Swift Sourcing Solutions, a business process outsourcing and recruitment company in the Ghanaian capital.
Suzanne Enoh-Arthur
Non-Executive Director
Email: suzanne@vpwa.org
Kirsty Osei-Bempong
Director - PR and Communications
Kirsty Osei-Bempong is a freelance journalist with ten years experience working in business to business publishing in the UK. Through her work as a journalist she has built up specialist knowledge of agricultural, food and health industries.
Keen to develop her growing passion for community development, Kirsty spent three months working and living in one of North-East Brazil’s poorest communities.
Most recently she worked as a communications officer for United Way Ghana in Accra. There she helped the organisation support donors and NGOs in delivering improvements in health, education and resource mobilisation.
She is currently completing a Masters degree in International Communications and Development at City University, London. Although based in London, Kirsty continues to work as PR and Communications Director for VPWA and also writes for NGO News Africa (
www.ngonewsafrica.org), one of VPWA's flagship projects.
Steve Wilson
Coordinator - North America
Steve is an intrepid, lifelong traveler. He has visited four continents and travelled extensively throughout Africa. Having experienced travelling in Africa first hand, he has a keen appreciation of the challenges and needs of travellers, as well as the comforts and activities they expect.
With a B.S. in Business Administration from Ohio State University, Steve is currently Vice-President of the USA-based TransCAP Foundation, which provides educational and medical supplies to schools and clinics in Ghana.
Steve’s expertise as a traveler, as well as his excellent communication skills, make him an essential asset in our collaboration with volunteers in North America.
During his numerous visits to Ghana, Steve has travelled to eight different regions of the country and has developed an understanding of Twi and Ewe.
Steve's role at VPWA is to advise and liaise with prospective travellers and volunteers from North America and to work alongside the Recruitment and Placement officer to coordinate their arrival in Ghana.
Fred Boateng
Coordinator - United Kingdom
Email: boateng@vpwa.org
Fred Boateng is passionate believer in advancing women's rights in all spheres of society. A philanthropist and entrepreneur, his desire to help love those in need began when he lived in Ghana during his early years.
Fred is a firm believer in the power of education and sponsors a number of children in Ghana, helping them to attend primary and high school and in some cases university.
Fred is a great asset to VPWA thanks to his dynamism, positive attitude and love and appreciation for humanity. With a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Leicester in the UK and certificates in Planning and Real Estate, he also brings financial discipline to the organisation. His role is to coordinate VPWA activities in the United Kingdom and help source potential partners.
Isaac Kwadwo Tuffuoh Mensah
In-Country Coordinator - Ghana Northern zone
Email: mensah@vpwa.org
Isaac is the country Executive Director of AGE OF VISION AFRICA, a non governmental organisation. Before joining Age of Vision Africa, Isaac had served as General Secretary for International Gospel Missionaries.
With a passion for social services, he was also appointed the Field Director of BEWARE of AIDS, another NGO which seeks to raise awareness and understanding of HIV and AIDS. Isaac held this post from 1999 until 2001.
Throughout these roles, Isaac has worked closely with volunteers from around the globe and developed an in-depth understanding of the challenges of traveling and voluntary work. He uses this valuable experience to oversee the strategic coordination and service delivered to VPWA volunteers who work in Ghana's Northern Zone, where we have a program based in Kumasi. Isaac also has a BSC in Theology and a Diploma in Missions and BS.
Other details:
Name: Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa
Location: Pokuase- Accra
Address: P. O. Box OF 75, Ofankor-Accra
Tel : 233 24 3340112 / 233 20 8272943(Ghana),
Email : info@vpwa.orgLegal Status:
Incorporated under the companies code, 1963(Act 179) Limited by guarantee .
Social Welfare Department
Internal Revenue Service as Tax Exempt Organisation.
Memberships:
United Nations Global Compact
United Nations Online Volunteering Service
International Peace Commission
Coalition for International Criminal Court
