Richard is the Executive Director of VACI-Ghana, which he founded in 2000. He has a long-standing experience in research and NGO management. He devotes most of his time and energy to VACI-Ghana but is also the manager of Arkworld Enterprise and the head of marketing at TCS(Technology Consultancy and Security) Solution Limited. Due to VACI’s partnership with Green the Gene, Richard also serves as one of their Country Representative. Richard encourages volunteering as a means to bridge the gap between the youth from different cultures in the pathway of development. Richard is passionate about creating such opportunities for people all around the globe particularly because it is through humanitarian service that one can gain a deep understanding and appreciation of life while leaving a lasting impression on those who have benefited from their services. With the efforts of Richard and the rest of his staff, VACI-Ghana was created to promote cultural integration and also to promote the benefits that the act of volunteering can provide to both the local community and the volunteers themselves. VACI’s vision is to work with participants from different backgrounds and enable them to help reach out to the needy and less fortunate Ghanaians. Richard encourages and welcomes interested candidates to contact the VACI staff(info@vacighana.org) for more information and assistance.

Victor is responsible for Organizational and Leader Development of the organization. He leads VACI Ghana’s business development efforts geared at advocacy, recruitment, volunteer talent management, executive strategy development, media and public relations, women and gender advocacy issues, and project management. Victor is an organizational development consultant, with over 15 years of experience leading teams, projects, organizations, training facilitation, banking and a passion for building and maximizing global leadership capacities and business relationships. His experience spans working in varied positions of leadership in Leadership Consulting, International Development, Cross-Cultural Team Dynamics, Banking and Human Capital Management. Victor possesses expertise in developing highly creative and innovative leaders. Victor holds a Masters of Public Administration, MBA- Executive Development, and Doctoral candidacy for a PhD in Organizational Learning, Performance & Change. He is a proficient communicator with a mastery of language and purpose to drive results. Contact Victor via mial at usa@vacighana.org.

Adriana has volunteered with VACI-Ghana since 2012, serving first as a Canadian Country Coordinator, and now as a Fundraising Officer and Project Director. She holds a degree from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, where she has also taught as a sessional instructor. She has worked for several years as a manager and producer in non-profit organizations, with a particular focus on the use of arts and culture to create community. In addition, Adriana has worked as a project organizer and fundraiser for several community organizations, as well as being an active volunteer, especially with social welfare and healthcare initiatives. For VACI-Ghana, Adriana helps coordinate fundraising and assists with our many projects, from volunteer placements to outreach actions. Contact Adriana through mail at canada@vacighana.org

Kwaku Oppong Manu is the Country Coordinator in Oakland California. He holds a Diploma and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Ghana. Currently, He is the African Music & Dance instructor at East Bay Center. Kwaku has taken a keen interest in volunteering and development after volunteering a stint in teaching traditional African Dance with ORPHANAGE-AFRICA, an orphanage based in Accra. This experience influences him towards voluntary work. Kwaku works voluntarily as a volunteer recruitment coordinator recruiting volunteers from the Oakland California area for VACI-Ghana placement programs and projects in Ghana.

Minna Kuusisto is the Country Coordinator in Finland. Minna is studying at the HUMAK University of Applied Sciences, Degree Programme in Civic Activities and Youth Work, in Turku Finland. She will graduate as a Community Educator this year. Minna is a yoga and kettlebell teacher and works in her own company doing business with several associations the City of Turku and the City of Kaarina. She visited Ghana in January 2017 as a volunteer worker and an intern at the House of Grace School for Deaf in Accra. Minna is a Country Coordinator in Finland and looking forward to assisting new volunteers to VACI-Ghana.
EMAIL: europe@vacighana.org

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of British Columbia, as well as a bachelor’s degree in History and Anthropology from the University of Victoria. She has worked for six years with marginalized and impoverished people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, including roles as a Community Liaison Worker, an Outreach worker, and a Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Nurse. Laura has a long history of working with non-profit organizations, particularly related to advocacy, HIV/AIDS, Aboriginal rights, and gender equality. Laura visited Ghana in 2016 and has worked with VACI-Ghana on projects related to family planning, safe sex practices, gender roles, and the importance of education.

Sheena is a Psychology student at the University of Birmingham who volunteered with VACI in 2014. During her volunteering, she focused her time on counseling at-risk- students in the Hatsukope Basic School and Akame Basic School. Sheena talked to students in the schools about issues such as teenage pregnancy, contraception, drug abuse, school drop-out, and youth unemployment. After seeing the positive impact on the young people, Sheena continued her involvement with VACI and became the UK Publicity and Training Assistance Co-coordinator. She aims to promote VACI through increasing connections in Birmingham and across the UK. She is focused on recruiting more volunteers, especially for the counseling project, and preparing them for their stay in Ghana. Sheena continues to work with the Ghanaian staff at VACI and her fellow coordinators in the UK to move the organization forward.

Ellis is our IT lead on all technology projects of the organization. He spearheaded the migration of our website and has since served as our website administrator. He was also instrumental in increasing our presence on social media platforms and the web as a whole.
Ellis is a seasoned IT professional with experience in IT support, IT control, Revenue assurance, IT audit, and software development. He currently serves as an IT Auditor with a reputable bank in Ghana. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from Ashesi University and is looking forward to graduating with an MSc in Management information systems from Coventry University in 2018. He is very outspoken diligent and always looking for alternative ways to complete his tasks. Ellis is currently our IT support lead and key man on the VACI-Ghana community IT Center project.
To know more about the project and how you can contribute, contact him at info@vacighana.org

Deyeen works as the Assistant Program Coordinator. Deynee holds a professional certificate in interior decoration and also speaks French fluently Between October and December 2009, Deynee, has a great love for humanity and avail to work with VACI-Ghana voluntarily because of his love for people to use his skills, teach and assist our partner project with Abigail Vocational School to teach interior Decoration. He assists the Program Coordinator, works with volunteers in the area of orientation; takes volunteers on weekend trips, and arranges host families and workplaces. He works with all departments when his services are needed.

Sylvanus E. Agbanyo is responsible for the organization's public relations and program management. Sylvanus leads VACI Ghana’s business growth efforts to organize and oversee PR activities and build positive relationships with stakeholders, media, and the public. Sylvanus is an astute Public Relations Strategist and a Planner with extensive management experience in the public and private sectors. Over the past ten years, He has engaged in community, government, and media relations, corporate communication, events and communications planning, issues, and crisis management. Sylvanus held various communication and PR positions within the civil society industry and has worked for the Development-Needs Foundation in partnership with IBIS-Ghana under the program (GGHR) Good Governance and Human Rights as a PR and Programmes manager. Active with several nonprofit organizations over the years, Sylvanus has provided communication and public relations expertise and assistance to several independent recording artists and also coordinates the annual Deza Festival in conjunction with the Ghana National Arts Council. Sylvanus is an organized and cool-tempered professional who can handle crises. He has a creative mind and excellent communication skills. He is also confident in public speaking and project management abilities. Sylvanus holds a Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering).