Ernest is the CEO and Managing Consultant of the CDC Group. He has spent the past twenty (20) years working in advisory services, ten (10) of which were spent providing leadership and strategic direction in CDC Consult Limited.

Prior to starting the CDC Group, he has worked in international consulting firms and the financial services sector. Advisory work over the years have focused on the financial services, education, agribusiness, health and tourism sectors. Specific areas of expertise cover the wide ranging areas of risk management and assurance services; capacity building including training, coaching and mentoring; strategic and business planning; research and knowledge management; local economic development and business to business encounters; management information systems and human resource management.

Over the years, Ernest has consulted for several multinational, international and national organizations and business. Ernest’s main passion is to see businesses become sustainable, offering unparalleled and responsive solutions to the needs of their clients. He believes interventions have to add value to the beneficiary businesses and their clients otherwise there is no need for advisory service.  He is particularly keen on seeing stronger providers in the microfinance, education, agribusiness and health sectors. As a certified entrepreneurship teacher, Ernest is convinced that businesses and organisations can only survive if their offerings add value to their respective clients and beneficiaries.

Ernest has participated in several short courses including Certified Entrepreneurship Teacher by  National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), USA;  SME – Project Finance, IFC and Bank Consult, India; Training in Microfin, Bering Consult, Washington DC, USA; Business Edge Training of Trainers, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Ghana Stock Exchange Securities Training Course.

Ernest holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting; BSc Administration (Accounting) and is a Chartered Accountant.

Akosua has eighteen (18) years post degree work experience covering food and beverages, telecommunications and outsourcing business. She has spent eleven (11) years in consulting practice. She is in charge of CDC Consult's Market Solutions and Organizational Development Line. Her expertise cut across project management; capacity building and training; entrepreneurship and SME development; association development; research in financial services sector including financial literacy, consumer protection and client education.

Akosua is a trained adult trainer with a lot of zeal and passion for training, coaching and mentoring. She has developed and facilitated training in the general areas of productivity skills, marketing and sales skills, entrepreneurship and client service. Specific training delivered over the years include: Leadership and Managerial Skills, Team Building and Attitudinal Change, Business Management, Business Plan Development, Client Service, Consumer Protection, Sales Management, Record Keeping, Financial Education, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Project Management.

In the area of research, Akosua has worked consistently on nationwide research assignments including baseline survey on rural adult financial literacy, financial literacy in second cycle institutions, study on consumer protection in Ghana's financial sector and market research into low-income private schools in Ghana. She has also conducted extensive research in the business and financing side of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Akosua is passionate about client service and strongly believes that businesses exist primarily to serve their clients and this must be the driving force through all stages in the client management cycle.  She has an MBA in Project Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and a BA in Social Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Babilo is a financial Management expert and the Head of CDC and Associates. He has over fifteen (15) years’ experience in Financial Management, Accounting and Audit Training.

He has gained experience through his work with institutions such as DKF Professionals, Veritax Associates, Ghana Armed Forces and School of Education for the Military Academy and Training Schools (MATS).

He has also lectured at professional levels in Advanced Financial Management, Advanced Financial Reporting, Financial Management, Financial Reporting and Economics. He has also audited financial statements, reviewed accounting systems and internal control procedures, drawn audit programs and strategies as well as conducted performance risk assessment associated with various client businesses.

Babilo brings on-board his experience gained over the years to CDC as he trains, coaches and undertakes assignment that include institutional assessments and audits. He has facilitated trainings and quality controlled training materials on Financial Management, governance, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, the Business Rules and Sanctions and the Act 930.

Babilo is a Chartered Accountant and Lecturer, and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (PGDTLHE). He also holds a BA (Hons) in Economics with Computer Science.

Linda is a human resource management (HRM) consultant with over six (6) years’ post qualification experience in the specific field of recruitment and training management. As the current head of the firm’s Recruitment and Training Management service line, Linda ensures that all services in her area of expertise are delivered with utmost professionalism, meeting and exceeding clients’ expectations.

In the specific area of recruitment management, Linda has successfully led the recruitment of different levels of officers ranging from operational level to board level executives within different sectors including Agribusiness, Financial Inclusion, Tourism, Education and Oil and Gas. The rich experience and exposure garnered from these activities has provided her with a wealth of knowledge from which clients continuously benefit.

Regarding training management, Linda has managed several training assignments involving the development and conduct of training and skills needs assessments, development of training toolkits (including trainers and trainees’ manuals, facilitators guide, case studies and other training activities, training evaluation and assessment tools), conduct of training and coaching. The exposure gained from working in different sectors enables her to provide unique services that speak directly to clients training and development needs. With keen interest in productivity and management courses, specific training programmes which clients have benefitted from include leadership development skills, team building, people management, report writing, change management, networking etc.

She also has keen interest in research and has successfully led different research assignments including consumer research, demand and supply studies, market studies and landscape studies in the insurance, financial inclusion, education, agribusiness and oil and gas sectors.

Linda has a first degree in Modern Languages (French Option) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Business Psychology from the University of South Wales, UK. She is also an Associate Member of the Institute of Human Resource Management Practitioners, Ghana.

Robert has over eight (8) years’ experience working in the fields of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Health; Microfinance; Monitoring and Evaluation; Research; and Organizational Development. He has worked as a project manager and coordinator with both local and international organisations prior to joining the CDC Group.

Robert worked as a specialist for a Helmsley Charitable Trust funded WASH project that focused on the promotion of nutrition, sanitation and hygiene in schools and communities. He led the capacity building of several Water and Sanitation Teams (WSTs) in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. He has also served as a trainer and supported other countries to implement health/SG integrated programmes in the East, South and West Africa.

At the CDC Group, Robert has provided his expertise in assignments undertaken through coordinating the implementation of Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA) and health integrated projects in the Upper East Region that enhanced women financial ability to access health care; and leading WASH and VSLA projects in Northern Ghana. He is part of the team implementing the UNICEF Sanitation Marketing (SanMark) Programme in over forty (40) districts in five (5) of Ghana and coordinates the CDC’s activities in the Northern Part of Ghana.

Robert holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Vrije University, Amsterdam and a BSc in nutrition from University for Development Studies, Tamale.

Stella is a consultant with the CDC Group. She has over (10) years’ experience in assurance, accounting, financial management, credit management, risk management, internal audit and
research.

Stella works with ‘CDC and Associates’ the assurance wing of the CDC Group where she gains experience and adds value to the clients of CDC Consult through working on various assignments in the aforementioned fields. She exhibits her knowledge in financial management through the design of training materials in financial management, risk management, credit management; portfolio analysis and delinquency management; setting up accounting and financial management systems; business plan development among others.

She has also gained expertise in organizational development where she undertakes various assignments including the development of credit management, accounting, financial management, internal audit, risk management policies and procedures manuals. She also has experience in internal audit, institutional assessment tool development and assessment of institutional operations and gap analysis as well as conduct of due diligence.

Stella holds an EMBA in Accounting and Financial Services Management and a degree in Bsc Business Administration (Accounting Option) from the University of Ghana Legon. She also partly qualifies as a chartered Accountant (ACCA Part III).

Francis is a Financial Management and Investment professional with relevant working experience since 2011. Francis has skills and expertise in budgeting; accounting; business planning; technical training; entrepreneurial and SME development; financial modelling and data analysis; industry research among others.

Over the years, Francis has performed lead roles and support roles in financial statements
preparation and analysis; financial projection; budgeting and budgetary control; financial management policy/procedure design and implementation; working capital management; investment appraisal; internal audit; business plan development; technical training facilitation; conduct of financial due diligence; SME training and technical support among others.

Prior to joining the CDC Group, Francis worked with C&J Medicare Hospital as an Accountant,
Waterhealth International as Finance Manager, Kaysens Group as Internal Auditor and Devyk Textiles as Finance and Operations Manager.

Since joining CDC Consult limited, Francis has worked on several assignments in financial inclusion, agriculture, health and WASH sectors. Partners, beneficiaries and clients for which Francis has worked include International Finance Corporation (IFC), Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC), Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa), Bank of Ghana (BoG), Market Oriented Agriculture Programme, (MOAP), Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP), Ghana Microfinance Network (GHANFIN), Ghana Association of Savings and Loans Companies (GHASALC), Ghana Association of Microfinance Companies (GAMC), Credit Unions Association (CUA), Ghana Association of Financial NGOs (GHASSFIN), Micro Credit Association of Ghana (MCAG), several Microfinance Institutions and other private companies.

Specifically, Francis has conducted Financial Due Diligence for the intended merger of 3 microfinance companies in Ghana. Under the assignment, Francis conducted on-site examinations and developed reports (individual and consolidated).

Francis has worked on strategy and business planning assignments such as development of strategic
business plans for Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool, 8 large scale rice farming businesses (GCAP project beneficiaries), 4 commercial farmers (MOAP project beneficiaries), JOPECK Pensions, Builders Bazaar, Covenant Minerals. On these assignments, Francis was primarily responsible for the development of financial models for the plan period. He also developed the financial management strategies of the business plans.

Francis has worked on various training assignments such as Budgeting and Budgetary Control for
Microfinance Institutions; Customers at the Center (customer service for Microfinance Institutions); Business Coaching for Migrants; Risk Management Guidelines for Microfinance Institutions; Management Certification Programme for Microfinance Institutions; Sanitation Finance training for District Assemblies; Sanitation Finance training for Microfinance Institutions; Educata Business Coaching for SMEs; Financial and Social Performance Management for Financial NGOs; Bank and Specialized Deposit Taking Institutions Act 930 for Savings and Loans Companies etc.

On these training assignments, Francis developed training materials and tools. He also facilitated either as lead or co-trainer. Francis also developed training reports on various training assignments. Francis was part of the research team that worked on the Ghana Credit Market Diagnostics. The team comprised experts from Ghana and South Africa that conducted an extensive study of Ghana’s credit market for the BoG.

On the research assignment, Francis was primarily responsible for obtaining and analyzing data for all classes of financial service providers (Universal Banks, Finance Houses, Rural Banks, Savings and Loans Companies, Microfinance Companies, Credit Unions, Financial NGOs and Microcredit Companies)

Francis has good experience in entrepreneurship and small business development. Beyond working with start-ups and micro businesses under the business coaching assignments, Francis also works on the Ghana LED Programme. Under the on-going project, Francis has developed training materials for micro businesses and SMEs as well as tools for conducting in-depth support for micro businesses and SMEs. Francis has delivered in-depth support for MSMEs under the Ghana LED Project.

Francis also worked on the Microfinance Capacity Improvement Programme. Under the project, Francis developed training materials and tools for training and supporting microfinance companies in Ghana. Francis also delivered trainings under the project and provided in-depth support for microfinance companies.

Francis works on the Sanitation Marketing Finance as a consultant. On the assignment, Francis has developed tools and templates for implementing the programme. Francis has also developed various training materials and delivered various trainings to financial service providers, district assemblies and other key stakeholders. Francis has conducted various evaluations in selection of key stakeholders and as well conducted monitoring of the programme.

Francis has lectured in private tuition for the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana professional program. He lectured Cost and Management Accounting, Advanced Financial Management and Public Sector Accounting from 2014 to 2019.

Francis is an excellent individual worker and a very dynamic team player and upholds the principles of Integrity, Optimism and Excellence in all assignments engaged on. He has excellent analytical, communication and facilitation skills.

Francis is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana, an M.Sc. International Business Student from the University of Ghana Business School and a Level 2 Candidate of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Programme. Francis is also pursuing Financial Modelling and Valuation Analysis (FMVA) from the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI).

Peter is a consultant with over nine (9) years’ experience in the field of research, monitoring and evaluation, entrepreneurship, medium, small and micro businesses development, coaching, financial management, and organizational development. He heads the Research and Knowledge Management Service Line of the firm.

Over the years, Peter has worked as a researcher with both local and international organizations in mining, agribusiness, finance, education health and sanitation. He coordinated baseline and endline surveys where he supervised enumerators to gather baseline and endline data. Peter has also conducted market assessment across the country where he has undertaken both desk and field research, developed assessment tools and configured tablets for enumerators he works with on the field to collect data.

He has also led assignments which have entailed the sensitization, screening and training of participants in various regions in the country. Particularly, Peter has facilitated the training of youth and MSMEs in financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

Peter is a very dynamic team player and upholds the principles of hardwork, humility and honesty in all assignments engaged in. He holds a Masters of Development Management from GIMPA and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Ghana, Legon.

Seth has ten (10) years post-degree work experience covering international trade arrangement, business automation, working capital planning, fundraising and training. He has spent four (4) years in consulting practice. In CDC Group, he currently works in the Research and Knowledge Management Service line. His expertise cuts across project management, institutional diagnostics & coaching, research in financial services sector, entrepreneurship training and social performance management.

In joining CDC, Seth has been in charge of project resource management, project assignment scheduling, progress monitoring and reporting under the Microfinance Companies Capacity Improvement Project (MICCIP). Other related assignments Seth undertook include institutional diagnostics and reporting, research in microfinance business and delivery of hands-on support to senior management teams of institutions.

Seth is trained in Social Performance Management (SPM), Client Protection Principles (CPP) and SPI4 Audit. Seth has undertaken social performance audit among a number of microfinance companies and reported on results to stakeholders including CERISE for certification; designed concepts towards institutionalizing SPM Benchmarking for the Ghanaian Microfinance Industry. Trainings facilitated include Business Model Definition, Market Segmentation Analysis and Responsible Inclusive Finance.

Seth is a Licentiate Member of Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants (CIAMC). He also holds a Master’s degree in Finance and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon.

Angela is training and recruitment consultant with the CDC Group.  She has ten (10) years’ experience post qualification and has gained experience in the financial sector through her work as a Deposit Collector, Deposit Coordinator, Relationship Officer and a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E) Officer.  Angela now brings the experience gained into her work as a consultant.

At the CDC Group, she draws on her knowledge from education and working experience to ensure that clients receive the utmost value for money and hands-on support to keep their businesses sustainable. She has specific experience and skills in the development of training needs assessment tools, curriculums, training materials as well as policy and procedure manuals.

Angela remains an active believer in the training and development of people. As a trainer, she has developed training materials, facilitated trainings and sensitization for clients on topics such as Code of Conduct, Responsible Inclusive Finance among others. She has an ardent interest in Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, Client Service, Training and Coaching and is strategically modelling a career in consulting. She also is an expert in Social Performance Management and is in the process to becoming a certified SPI4 auditor under Cerise.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Design from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an MSc in Business Psychology from the University of South Wales, UK.

Nana Yaw is financial management consultant and a team member of CDC and Associates.  He has in-depth knowledge in financial management and business strategy development.  He has gained experience ranging on different assignments in financial institutions, Association development and donor funded projects.

At CDC, Nana Yaw has worked as a project consultant under the Microfinance Companies Capacity Improvement Project (MICCIP). He has undertaken assignments such as the institutional diagnostics of financial institutions, strategic business planning for MFCs, on-site support and the training of MFCs. Nana Yaw has supported in the development and delivery of these trainings under MICCIP; business model definition, Implementing Risk Management framework, Business and Operational performance strengthening, market segmentation analysis, and interest rate determination. Other activities undertaken by Nana Yaw include the development of financial models, concept papers, business proposals, institutional assessments and developing reports on assessments undertaken.

In the area of research and knowledge management, Nana Yaw has actively participated in the development of data collection instruments, analyses and reporting in Financial Inclusion. He is also passionate about Entrepreneurship and Technical and Vocational training for the youth. Nana Yaw has supported young entrepreneurs under the Educata business training coaching young entrepreneurs on how to develop an implementable business plan.

Nana Yaw is actively carving a career in Financial Management and Business Strategy as he believes these two (2) disciplines will help businesses to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. Nana Yaw holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ashesi University College, Berekuso and is currently undertaking his professional qualification with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Joshua is an accounting and finance professional with the CDC Group. He has three (3) years’ post qualification experience and has gained experience in consulting through working on assignments in the areas of WASH, Microfinance, Education and Research.

Joshua has worked for several reputable organizations including United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); Ghana Commercial Agricultural Programme (GCAP); Vanguard Assurance; Grameen Foundation and North Eastern Christian Academy (NECA).

At the CDC Group, Joshua brings to light his expertise in field research, monitoring and evaluation, data and financial analysis, budgeting, office administration and reporting. He has supervised and coordinated the activities of enumerators on several market research, diagnostic surveys and assessments to gather data.  He has also worked as a field research officer for a survey on food security in the Northern Regions of Ghana. Currently, he is supporting the coordination of activities under the UNICEF Sanitation Marketing (SanMark) Programme in implementing districts across Northern Ghana.

Joshua’s strong ability to work within a complex team matrix, project budget and his strong attitude towards achieving results is exhibited in every assignment he works on in the firm.

He holds a BSc. degree in Accounting and Finance from the University for Development Studies, Wa - Campus.

Akorfa is Financial Management expert and the Head of the Outsourced and Project Management Services with the CDC Group. She has over 21 years’ experience in providing consulting services to institutions in the education, health, tourism, and private sector, fifteen (15) of which she has worked with CDC Consult Limited, where she plays a dual role as Head of Outsource and Project Management and Head of Finance and Administration of the Firm.

Akofa has specific expertise in providing support to SMEs in the areas of accounting and bookkeeping, auditing, records and administrative management as well as payroll management for small and large companies. She manages CDC Consult’s staff assigned to various projects that the company collaborates on.

Prior to joining the group, she gained her rich accounting and assurance experience working with Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche. Her work at CDC Consult Ltd includes overall management of the firm's outsourced service line with specific responsibility for the firm’s outsourced payroll and accountancy portfolio as well as the provision of business advisory services to small businesses.

As head of CDC Consult’s Finance and Administrative department she is responsible for invoicing and collection of debt, recording of the firms accounting data, payroll management and human resource (HR) issues of staff members as well as relating with all third parties that the firm deals with and payment of statutory returns to the various institutions.

As a Client Relationship Manager, she manages all correspondences with corporate clients and statutory organisations. She is the contact person for international correspondences and has overall responsibility for office administration. Akorfa's major concern is to ensure that support provided to clients contributes significantly to addressing their needs.

Akorfa has a combined bachelor's degree in Economics and Information Studies, ACCA Level 2 and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester.

Dorothy is a finance officer at CDC Consult Limited. She has two and half years’ experience in the field of auditing, taxation and accountancy. She has auditing experience in sectors including manufacturing, insurance, aviation, retailing and construction.

At CDC, Dorothy applies her experience and expertise in the finance office; amongst them are payroll processing and payment of statutory deductions, assisting in project management for assignments managed by the firm, preparation of accounts, payment processing and day to day finance work. She is passionate about satisfying clients’ needs with her expertise.

Dorothy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Accounting Option) and is partly qualified with ICAG.

Lynda is the Administrative Assistant of CDC Consult Limited. She has a fifteen (15) years’ proven track record in administration, with eleven (11) of these years spent working with CDC Consult. She has contributed significantly to structuring the firm's administrative system to ensure that office administration is seamless and fits in well with the busy schedule of the Consulting Team.

Having an eye for perfection, she has excellent formatting and editing skills, which are exhibited in each of the documents that are ran by her on assignments undertaken by consultants.

Lynda is accustomed to working in a fast-paced environments, particularly when dealing with multiple projects and priorities at the same time. She strives to achieve the highest standard possible at any given task and in any situation.

Lynda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies (BBS Accounting) with Wisconsin International University College, Accra.

Ferdinand has seven (7) years of experience in working in the field of Information Communication Technology (ICT). His specialties include Server Administration, Local Area Network (LAN) management and computer hardware maintenance.

Ferdinand has strong technical skills and interpersonal skills which enable him to interact with team members and ensure that all ICT devises are highly functional and team members have the best gadgets to use both on the field and in the office.

He has designed, setup and managed various LAN networks in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and the Northern regions of Ghana. As a results-oriented individual, Ferdinand is passionate about creating change, and is always ready to learn new things. He is also passionate of using his technical know-how to benefit the people he works with in CDC.

Ferdinand is a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) with a Diploma in Computer Techniques.

Ewurasi is a team member of CDC Consult and the current office assistant for the Western branch of the CDC Group. Where she handles costing, monitoring and evaluation, data collection and its analysis as well as general reports for ongoing projects within the Region and its environs.

She has the ability to work independently or in a coordination role, possess leadership skills, ability to motivate others and work under pressure to meet tight deadlines with special attention to details.

She is a formidable team player who is a self-motivated with strong organizational planning expertise, good inter personal skills and an active hands-on support personnel. At CDC, Ewurasi brings on board her great extensive experience in general office administration & HR related issues for over 7 years.

She provides unlimited support to the team on the Ghana Local Economic Development Program (International Finance Corporation initiatives) which the company is currently implementing for SMEs/MSEMs within the Western Region where she provides of massive on-field support to involved enterprises. She is committed to good customer relation and its retention, staff management and standard entrepreneurship planning to progress business continuity.

Ewurasi also offers assistance to participants and ensures good practice of all the intervention modules and acquired knowledge exposed to them during seminars. She actively participates in research to help enterprises within the geographical area take advantage of the available local resources to develop their various businesses up to international standards. This is to enable them reposition their institutions very well for contracts within the mining sector and the oil and gas chain.

She is a highly motivated individual with the need to achieve. She works at her best when given set of goals to ensure the constant feeling of achievement. Ewurasi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Technology – Kumasi and is working earnestly to further in her line of job as soon as possible.

Benjamin is a finance and business administration professional working with CDC Group. He has over 20 years’ experience in finance and business administration with over 15 years of professional experience in Organisation Finance Modelling, Fund Management, Investment Advisory Services, Outsourced Administrative Support and Financial Compliance.

At CDC Benjamin is tasked with accounting and finance responsibilities preparing cashbook, bank reconciliation statements, annual financial statements, filing of statutory returns with the relevant statutory and regulatory authorities, performing tasks in outsourced administrative support and other finance and administration related duties. Prior to joining the Group, Benjamin gained his rich experience with Egas Capital Limited, Renaissance Africa Group Limited, Fafali Law Chambers, and Global Evangelical Church among others.

Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Banking and Finance option) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Also, he is an Associate Member of Association of Business Executives (ABE) UK and a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) licensee. He also has a certificate in Anti-Money Laundering from Wisconsin University College.