Our Team

meet our team

Peter Smalley

Project Manager, Ghana Circular Economy Centre Project

Peter Smalley

Is an Industrial Development Expert at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry, where he leads the Ghana Circular Economy Centre (GCEC) project. The GCEC supports circular economy transition across Ghana’s plastics, textiles, and agro-processing sectors through enterprise development, skills building, financial sector engagement, and industry–academia collaboration.

Peter has over twelve years of experience spanning industrial decarbonization, climate and sustainable finance, and green industrialization across international organizations, government, and the private sector. Prior to UNIDO, he held roles at NEI Investments and The Delphi Group in Canada, working at the intersection of ESG, cleantech, and sustainable industrial policy. He holds an MA in Global Governance from the Balsillie School of International Affairs and a BES from the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Marindame Kombate

Executive Director
Ghana Circular Economy Centre

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Dr. Marindame Kombate

Is the Executive Director of the Ghana Centre, providing strategic leadership for the Centre’s programmes.

He brings over 17 years of experience in impact investing, climate finance, renewable energy, and private sector development across Africa. Prior to joining GCEC, he held senior leadership, investment, and technical advisory roles with organizations including UNDP, AECF, Tetra Tech, Camco Clean Energy, LGT Venture Philanthropy, and E+Co. In addition to his leadership roles, he has also contributed to corporate governance and investment oversight through service on boards and investment committees, including Cowtribe and Camco Clean Energy.

Dr. Kombate holds a PhD in Accounting and Finance from De Montfort University (United Kingdom), a Master of Development Finance from Stellenbosch Business School (South Africa), and a First Class Honours degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of Ghana Business School. His professional and academic interests span sustainable finance, impact investing, renewable energy, circular economy, and enterprise development.

Sharon Parku

Knowledge Management and Monitoring and Evaluation Expert

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Sharon Parku

At the Ghana Circular Economy Centre, Sharon leads the knowledge management and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning function, building the systems and infrastructure that ensure the Centre’s work is rigorously tracked, well documented, and effectively communicated. Her responsibilities include designing and maintaining an M&E system covering the project’s key performance indicators, developing a collaborative knowledge workspace where critical project information is systematically stored and shared, and monitoring overall project progress to keep key stakeholders informed.

Sharon brings over 16 years of international development experience to this role, with a strong track record in MEL system design, Results Based Management, and knowledge management across Africa. Prior to joining GCEC, she held senior MEL positions with USAID Power Africa programmes under Tetra Tech and Deloitte, the Millennium Challenge Account Ghana, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, and the Afrobarometer Network, where she oversaw MEL activities spanning more than 30 African countries. She holds a Master of Science in Management (NGOs and Social Policy) from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Law/Sociology from KNUST.

Stephanie Donu Sarpong

National Gender and
Youth Expert

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Stephanie Donu Sarpong

Stephanie Donu Sarpong is a Gender Specialist and certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 15 years of experience advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion across development programmes, value chains, and project communities in Ghana and West Africa. Her work focuses on promoting equitable opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups, ensuring that development interventions deliver inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

Throughout her career, Stephanie has led the design and implementation of gender and youth strategies, conducted gender analyses and research, facilitated organizational change through gender mainstreaming, and built the capacity of institutions to integrate gender-responsive approaches into their operations and programmes. She has extensive experience delivering training for management and staff, developing gender policies and implementation frameworks, and supporting organizations to embed social inclusion principles into their systems and processes.

Prior to joining the Ghana Circular Economy Centre, Stephanie served as the Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Specialist for the USAID-funded Ghana Trade and Investment Activity, where she led initiatives that enhanced economic opportunities for women and youth through access to grants, training, market linkages, livelihood support, and business development services. She has also held regional leadership roles with Solidaridad West Africa, overseeing gender and youth programming across several countries in the sub-region.

Stephanie combines her expertise in gender and social inclusion with strong project management and Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) skills, enabling her to integrate gender considerations throughout the project lifecycle while ensuring measurable and impactful results. She is passionate about transforming the lives of women and young people and believes that inclusive participation is essential for sustainable development and a thriving circular economy.

Clement Boateng

National Communications Expert

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Clement Boateng

Is a strategic communications leader with over 10 years of experience designing and delivering integrated communication strategies for development programmes. He specialises in narrative change, shaping the public stories that move issues forward, and is known for translating complex technical subjects into clear, compelling content that resonates across different audiences.

He leads communications for the Ghana Circular Economy Centre project, where he coordinates messaging across government, academia, private sector actors, and development partners. His broader experience spans USAID-funded programmes, DANIDA-supported initiatives, international NGOs, and local development organisations. This has consistently required him to strengthen programme visibility and connect technical agendas to public and policy audiences.

Clement holds a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University (India) and a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Development Studies from the University for Development Studies (Ghana), along with diplomas in Journalism and Marketing from the Institute of Business Management and Journalism (Ghana). He is a PhD candidate in Social Change Communication at the University for Development Studies, where his research extends the narrative-change and behaviour-change focus that defines his professional practice.

Richmond Quayson

Venture Studio Lead

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Richmond Quayson

Is a Circular Economy and Enterprise Development Specialist with a decade experience supporting entrepreneurship, SME growth, innovation ecosystems, and sustainable business development in Ghana. He has worked with international development organizations, government agencies, private sector institutions, and startup support organizations to strengthen enterprise competitiveness, promote circular economy solutions, and facilitate access to finance and markets.

Richmond has served as a mentor, trainer, and consultant for initiatives implemented by organizations including Globethics, Cherie Blair Foundation for women, SNV, GIZ, Mastercard Foundation, Ghana Tech Lab, Impact Footprints Africa, NEIP, Impact Investing Ghana and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. His expertise spans venture building, business incubation and acceleration, stakeholder engagement, capacity development, project management, and climate-resilient entrepreneurship, with a strong commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic development.

Abigail Korda

Team Assistant

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Abigail Korda

Is a bilingual Programme and Operations Professional with several years of experience managing multi-country programmes and operational initiatives across Africa. Her expertise spans programme management, operational planning, quality management systems, stakeholder engagement, procurement, compliance, organizational systems strengthening, and donor-funded programme implementation within the development and public health sectors. She has worked closely with government institutions, development partners, technical experts, and regional stakeholders to support programme delivery, operational excellence, capacity building, monitoring and reporting, and evidence-based decision-making across multiple countries.

Abigail holds a Master of Public Health, a Master of Business Administration, a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Translation. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and a Certified Quality Auditor (CQI CQA). Fluent in both English and French, she is passionate about strengthening systems, improving operational effectiveness, and supporting sustainable development outcomes in diverse and resource-constrained environments.

Jennifer Quarshie

Administrative Assistant

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Jennifer Quarshie

Is an experienced administrative professional with over eighteen years supporting organisations in the international trade and development sector. Much of that career has been spent with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), where she has provided the day-to-day administrative and coordination support that keeps complex, multi-partner programmes running smoothly.

Her experience also extends across the Oil and Gas exploration sector and the Ghana Civil Service, where she has provided high-level administrative support to both local and international senior executives. This combination has given her a strong command of executive support, office coordination, and the discretion and reliability that senior teams depend on in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Sociology, Second Class (Upper Division), from the University of Ghana, Legon.

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