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Charles Benoni Okine is a distinguished media and communications professional with over 25 years of extensive experience in journalism, corporate communications, and strategic media management. Currently serving as the Director of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Charles brings a wealth of expertise in business and finance reporting, strategic communication, and organizational leadership.

At MIIF, Charles is responsible for managing corporate communications and external relations strategies among other things.

He is leveraging extensive media and business background to enhance organizational visibility and stakeholder engagement.

At Graphic Communications Group Ltd as the Deputy Editor, Graphic Business, he oversaw the following:

– Led financial newspaper operations (news gathering and editing)

– Assisted with the development and implementation of innovative business reporting strategies

– Assisted with event planning and execution

Prior to that, Charles served as the Graphic Special Correspondent; Office of the Vice President (2003-2008).

By way of professional affiliation and leadership roles, he was as follows:

– Greater Accra Regional Chair, Ghana Journalists Association

– Dean, Network of Communications Reporters

– Media Advisor, US Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia

– Media/Sponsorships/PR Head, Corporate Initiative Ghana

– Media Project Consultant for Binance through BNPR

Charles holds the following academic credentials:

– Masters, Media Management, School of Graduate Studies and Research, GIJ (uniMAC)

– Bachelor’s Degree, Marketing, Graduate School, GIMPA

– Diploma in Journalism, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)

Charles has completed advanced certificate programs at prestigious institutions in Ghana and abroad:

– Management – Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

– Narrative Journalism – Nieman Foundation, Harvard University

– Economic and Business Reporting – International Institute of Journalism, Berlin (InWEnt)

– Business and Finance Reporting – Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania

– Business and Economic Reporting – Rhodes University (Reuters Foundation)

By way of academic contribution, he was a Part-time lecturer in Media Management, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) where he taught at the undergraduate level (L400), Media Management, for three years.

Charles is a multiple award winner, having been honored with numerous accolades from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), including:

– Best in News Reporting

– Best in ICT Reporting

– Best in Social Security Reporting

– Best in Business and Finance Reporting

Beyond his professional achievements, Charles is passionate about sports, particularly football and swimming, reflecting his dynamic and well-rounded personality.

For professional inquiries, please reach out through appropriate professional channels.

Mr. Daniel Imadi

Daniel is a corporate and commercial lawyer with expertise across various facets of law including mergers and acquisitions, fast-moving consumer goods, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, mining, telecoms, and tax.

As the Head, Legal & Compliance, Daniel leads the Legal & Compliance Department which is primarily responsible for overseeing all of MIIF’s legal matters, including litigation, regulatory compliance, and government relations. He provides direction on major legal and regulatory issues regarding MIIF’s operations and its investments.

Daniel joined MIIF in March 2023 following roles in both a law firm and as in-house counsel in the petroleum industry. As legal manager at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) which is the regulator of the petroleum downstream industry in Ghana, Daniel was responsible for corporate and regulatory matters of the NPA. Daniel was instrumental in the procurement process and the drafting of contractual documents regarding the design, supply, installation, operations, and maintenance of a national fuel monitoring system valued over USD100m.

Before going in-house, Daniel was a senior associate at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah (BELA), a leading law firm in Ghana where he honed his expertise across various facets of law including structuring, advising, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various legal documentation. He also advised on corporate structuring, corporate governance, and other legal aspects. At BELA, he advised, reviewed, and prepared legal documentation on the 2012/2013 syndicated loan of USD1.5billion, and the 2013/2014 syndicated loan of USD1.2billion to the Ghana Cocoa Board for the purchase of cocoa beans.

Daniel holds a Master of Laws from York University, Canada. He has a Qualifying Certificate in Law from the Ghana School of Law and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Ghana. Before his legal education, Daniel obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology.

Daniel is a member of the Ghana Bar Association and the International Bar Association.

Mercedes Maud Naa Dei Ashie

Mercedes Maud Naa Dei Ashie brings over twelve (12) years of relevant experience, having worked with two of Ghana’s prominent accounting firms, namely KPMG and PwC Ghana.

She commenced her career at KPMG after completing her national service at the University of Ghana, where she served as a Teaching Assistant with the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences. At KPMG, she held the role of Associate, engaging in various tasks including Internal Audit, Internal Control, IT Audit, Value for Money Audits, Compliance Reviews, and Corporate Governance Reviews across a spectrum of industries such as Energy, Natural Resources, Financial Services, Public Sector, and Consumer Industrial Products.

Mercedes also conducted training sessions for the general public on Internal Audit and the utilization of Interactive Data Extraction and Analysis (IDEA) software. Her proactive involvement in business development activities, encompassing proposal writing and client engagement, significantly contributed to securing future engagements.

Subsequently, Mercedes transitioned to PwC, where she further honed her expertise in Internal Audit, Control, and Corporate Governance Reviews across diverse industries, assuming a senior role. She has actively participated in various training programs focusing on internal audit, people management, and Performing an Effective Quality Assessment.

Professionally, Mercedes is a Chartered Accountant accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana and Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Sciences and a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism from the University of Ghana – Legon and the University of Ghana Business School – Legon, respectively.

Theresa Gyasi-Antwi

Theresa is a seasoned Chartered Procurement and Supply Chain Professional with over thirty years’ varied work experience across various sectors. With eighteen (18) years dedicated to public and international procurement activities, planning, strategic sourcing, contract management, market analysis, cost management, stakeholder and supplier management, procurement risk management, she brings a wealth of expertise to her current role.

Theresa joined the Fund in October 2022 as the Head of Procurement. In this capacity, she oversees all procurement activities, including reviewing procurement requests, preparing documentation, tender evaluations, and analyzing cost efficiency.  She serves as the Secretary to the Entity Tender Committee and is an integral member of the Management Team.

Before her current role, Theresa held several key positions at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Accra, Ghana from January 2011 to September 2022, including Procurement Manager and Administrative Manager. Her responsibilities encompassed procurement, estate and logistics, transport, and IT activities.

Theresa’s career also includes her tenure as a Trade Development Manager/Officer at the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), British High Commission, Accra, Ghana from September 2007 to December 2010. She facilitated trade missions, prepared market reports, and supported UK businesses in Ghana. Additionally, she worked at the Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited as the Head of Administration where she managed the procurement and estate and logistic functions.  Theresa also worked at the Department for International Development (DFID), British High Commission, Accra, Ghana where she held various positions including procurement activities, projects, facilities management, external consultancy inputs as well as logistical arrangements for technical cooperation officers.

Theresa holds multiple postgraduate degrees, including a degree in Supply Chain Management from Coventry University, UK, and a Master of Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra, Ghana. She is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), UK, and a Full Member of the Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply (GIPS).

Mr. Kwabena Barning

As Chief Technical Officer and Head of Operations, Kwabena oversees Business Development, Technical Services and the Research Unit of the Fund. He is responsible for improving revenue mobilization, identifying investment opportunities along the mining value chain, and ensuring maximization of value through post-investment monitoring and evaluation. He is also a member of MIIF’s Executive Management Team.
Kwabena brings over 28 years of corporate experience having worked in several countries across sub-Saharan Africa in various capacities in Technical, Management and Executive Leadership for SGS, one of the world’s biggest multinational service providers.
He previously served as Vice President, Africa for SGS (2018 -19) in charge of Mine Support Services where he focused on business development and optimization.
As the Regional Managing Director for French West Africa for nearly 5 years, Kwabena prudently managed diverse teams across multi-sectorial business lines to bring about double-digit revenue growth and massive improvement to the bottom line.
Prior to that he was responsible for Tropical Southern Africa for over 7 years, leading the business to register significant growth and transformation in the base metals industry across the entire Copperbelt regions of the DR Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana. Kwabena spent a considerable amount of time from 1994 – 2005 working in various Gold Mining enclaves within Ghana and the sub-region leading diverse teams in operations and business development.
Kwabena holds an MBA from the University of Leicester (2008) and a BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Geology from the University of Ghana (1992). He is proficient in French, a member of the Ghana Institute of Directors and the Ghana Institute of Geoscientists.

Mr. Bubune Kofi Sorkpor

Bubune, is an investment banker, venture capital investor and business strategist with extensive experience in Africa and North America.

As CIO and a member of MIIF’s Executive Management Team, Bubune leads the Investment Department, which is responsible for the analysis and efficient execution of all portfolio transactions consistent with the Fund’s Investment Policy and Guidelines. He oversees the daily management of MIIF’s invested assets and is responsible for maximizing the fund’s assets through SPVs, SPACs, bond issuance from domestic and external capital markets, and developing investment modules for domestic mining companies.

Prior to joining MIIF, he was a Venture Strategist at Toronto-based venture capital firm Highline Beta Inc. which invests in start-ups and consults for Fortune 1000 companies on new venture acquisitions and partnerships. He also worked as Chief Operating Officer at Argon Holdings, the largest integrated media holdings in Ghana. He led acquisitions and expansion of the group including the acquisition of an insurance company. His other prior roles include: Ag. CEO of an Asset Management Company, Lead Research Analyst, and Partner at investment banking boutique firm, Lincoln Investment Advisors (LIA).

He has experience in investment banking, debt syndication, project financing, launching a specialty mutual fund focused on the oil and gas sector in Ghana, advising start-ups, M&A advisory, equity valuations, corporate finance and raising equity.

Bubune, holds a master’s degree in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Smith Business School, Queens’ University, Canada. He also holds an MSc in Finance and Investment Analysis from Amity University, India and a BSc (Hons) in Statistics and Actuarial Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He is also a licensed investment advisor.

Seidu Sumaila (CA, PMP) – Chief Finance Officer

Mr. Seidu is a consummate Finance and Accounting professional with over 15 years working experience with multinationals in senior and managerial roles in Accounting, Audit and Internal Control functions within Oil & Gas, Mining industry for outside and within Ghana as well as diverse experience of public and private organizational partnership work relations.

At MIIF, he is responsible for developing and leading the finance strategy as well as putting in place systems of internal controls to create an efficient finance support services required to ensure value for money in the use of funds and boost royalties’ mobilization strategies of the Fund as well as deployment of modern financial technology to ensure real time processing of financial information to facilitate decision making.

Previously worked at Air liquid Ghana – a subsidiary of the Air Liquide Group as Chief Accountant in Ghana and as Finance Team member for West and Central Africa responsible for designing group Consolidation reporting systems to meet the France stock exchange compliance and requirements and developing internal controls systems to implement SAPIN LAW within the West and Central African affiliates of the group.

He has worked with a team of Tax Consultants from KPMG to develop and align tax systems of  Air Liquide Ghana to improve tax compliance leading to tax refunds to Air Liquide Ghana in 2017 after a successful tax audit by Ghana Revenue Authority spanning over Five (5) years.

He also has wide experience in group Treasury and Risk Management Systems after his appointment in Ghana with the Air Liquide as a Treasury and Risk Manager in 2013. He led the Management Team from Ghana to successfully secure an ALL-ASSET policy risk claim against Alliance Insurance following an incident with an on-site Oxygen plant at Newmont Ahafo mines.

Sumaila is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG) and Certified Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute (PMI) of United States of America. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Cape Coast, an Msc. Development Finance from the University of Ghana and a BSc. Accounting (First Class Honors), from Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA). He attended Tamale Secondary School (TAMASCO).

Kennedy Kwabena Abrokwa (PhD)

Kennedy is the Head of Business Development at MIIF. He is responsible for leading the definition, development, and execution of minerals income growth strategies and revenue generating campaigns to achieve objects of the Fund and also responsible for building a robust royalty pipeline and forecast that will yield future profitable revenue streams from gold and non-gold minerals for the Fund.
Previously the Head of Corporate Affairs of the Fund, he was responsible for creating and communicating a favorable public image for the Fund.
Prior to joining the Fund, Kennedy was an economic and management consultant with John Young & Associates where he was involved in enterprise development, investment appraisals and risks, policy analysis, commercial and market due diligence, social and environmental impact assessments, project planning and management, management trainings and system transfers. He has developed strategic policy and implementation frameworks for institutions such as GIADEC, Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI), Rural Enterprises Project, Vice Presidents Secretariat and several private organizations.
He has lectured in economics policy, energy economics and applied macroeconomics at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
At the early stages of his career, he worked briefly as an auditor with the Ghana Audit Service and as an Economic and Data analyst with the Financial Control Department at Ecobank Ghana.
Kennedy holds a PhD in Economics with focus on the extractive industry from the University of Hull and an MSc. in Economics and Business from the University of Hull with special focus on international business, project and operations management. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He attended Mfantsipim School.