IIPGH appoints Richard Kafui Amanfu as New Executive Director

The Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) has appointed Richard Kafui Amanfu as its new Executive Director, ushering in a new era of leadership and innovation. 

His appointment follows the successful tenure of David Gowu, who served as co-founder and first Executive Director for eight years.

A seasoned technology consultant with over 16 years of experience in the ICT and telecommunications industry, Amanfu brings extensive expertise to the role. He has held various technical and management positions across the West African market.

A Strong Educational and Professional Background
Richard Kafui Amanfu holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Project Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and a Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies from the University of Ghana. His academic foundation has equipped him with a strong blend of management and ICT knowledge, positioning him well to drive digital transformation.

Since 2017, Amanfu has played a pivotal role in IIPGH, working alongside its founding members to establish the organisation. His efforts in mobilising ICT professionals across Ghana have led to the formation of a vibrant network of over 2,500 experts dedicated to the country’s digital transformation.

During his tenure as Director of Operations at IIPGH, Amanfu spearheaded several capacity-building initiatives aimed at equipping professionals, students, and businesses with critical ICT skills. These include the Cyber Security Awareness Initiative, the IIPGH Internship Programme, and the Persons with Disability Initiative, which have significantly contributed to closing Ghana’s digital skills gap.

Amanfu has also been a strong advocate for public ICT education, using media publications to highlight the role of technology in national development. Under his leadership, over 350 technology-related articles have been published in the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) since November 2017.

One of Amanfu’s most impactful contributions has been his involvement in implementing coding programmes for children, teenagers, and adults. Through these initiatives, over 10,000 young Ghanaians have been introduced to coding, equipping them with essential digital skills for future careers in technology.

Additionally, he played a crucial role in the establishment of the Industry-Academia Tech Dialogue (INDAC-TED) in collaboration with the AFOS Foundation. This initiative has bridged the gap between academia and industry by fostering discussions on curriculum development, research, and industry trends.

Amanfu also led the organisation of the Tech Job Fair, an annual event connecting job seekers with employers in Ghana’s tech industry. Launched in 2021, the fair has since become a key platform for career development in the ICT sector.

His contributions to digital literacy have further extended to the Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI), which introduced coding clubs in schools and trained teachers to sustain these programmes, leaving a lasting impact on Ghana’s education system.

Before assuming his new role, Amanfu served as Director of Operations at IIPGH, overseeing strategic and technical operations, service delivery, and growth strategy implementation. He has also held roles at renowned organisations such as Ericsson, Edulamp GHANA, Gartner Inc., and Internet Ghana Limited, among others.

As a founding member of IIPGH and a Fellow of both the Ghana and West Africa Schools on Internet Governance, Amanfu is recognised as a thought leader in ICT. He is also a Senior Professional Member of the Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa and a member of the Internet Society (ISOC), Ghana Chapter.

With his wealth of experience and commitment to digital transformation, Richard Kafui Amanfu is expected to lead IIPGH into a new phase of growth, innovation, and impact in Ghana’s ICT landscape.