Leadership

John Agyekum Kufuor was President of the Republic of Ghana from 2001–2009 and Chairperson of the African Union from 2007 to 2008. A passionate advocate for the African private sector, President Kufuor declared a golden age of business during his presidency and championed one of the most successful private sector booms in Ghana’s history.

Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim is the President of Mauritius and a multi-award-winning biodiversity scientist. She works to raise awareness of global warming and to promote science and technology in Mauritius and Africa. She partners with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation piloting research grants in Mauritius, which she plans expand across Africa.

Paul-Harry Aithnard is Ecobank’s Group Head of Securities and Asset Management. Prior to that, he was Group Head of Research which was recognized as the Best Africa Research Team for three consecutive years. Over the years, he has helped institutional clients navigate Africa’s complex marketplaces, ensuring the highest level of independence and objectivity.

Didier Acouetey is the President and Founder of the AfricSearch Group, a recruitment and Human Resources consulting firm. As business advisor to several Managing Directors of Africa’s major companies and institutions, Didier Acouetey has built an extensive network of contacts in the African business and political community.

Terhas Berhe is the founder of Brand Communications.
She has over 20 years’ experience in brand development and public relations management, working across Africa and the Commonwealth. With a pragmatic approach to creating and managing campaigns, her hands-on management style ensures diverse and collective thinking leads to a distinct customer experience.

With nearly 30 years experience, Arnold has held several senior positions in African and international banking. As CEO at United Bank for Africa, he led a turnaround before its merger with Standard Trust Bank to create a major banking institution. And as CEO, he helped grow Ecobank to the important position it now plays in the continent’s financial system.

After a distinguished career in banking, international trade and development and government service, Donald Kaberuka was elected President of the African Development Bank Group where he presided over strategy for development and poverty reduction in Africa. As Minister of Finance, his reforms are widely believed to have led to the revival of Rwanda’s post-war economy.

Gervais Djondo co-founded the Ecobank Group, is founder and Honorary Chairman of Asky Airlines. A pioneer, Gervais was guided in all of his business experiences by the principles of integration and pan-Africanism, and this Fellowship is the living proof of his success.