Our Executive Governing Board
Dr. Mohammed Hardi Shaibu
Board Chair
Dr. Mohammed Hardi Shaibu is the Board Chair of the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives (IPPI) and serves as Director of Finance at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana. A Chartered Accountant and accomplished academic with over 20 years of professional experience, he brings extensive expertise in financial management, public sector finance, corporate governance, and higher education administration. Dr. Shaibu holds a PhD in Social Administration and has made significant contributions to financial governance, strategic resource management, and institutional development through leadership in financial planning, budgeting, and accountability. As Board Chair of IPPI, he provides strategic oversight and promotes the highest standards of governance, transparency, and organizational excellence, supporting the Institute's mission to advance evidence-based public policy, research, and institutional impact.
Prof. John Yaw Akparep
Vice Chair
Prof. John Yaw Akparep is the Vice Chair of the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives (IPPI), a Commissioner of Ghana's National Development Planning Commission, and Dean of the School of Business at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), where he is a Full Professor. An accomplished academic and public policy expert, his teaching, research, and professional work focus on organizational conflict management, human resource management, organizational behavior, and small business development. He holds a PhD in Social Administration with specialization in Organizational Conflict Management and an MPhil in Development Management from the University for Development Studies. Through his distinguished academic leadership, research, and public service, Prof. Akparep has made significant contributions to higher education, organizational development, and national development planning. As Vice Chair of IPPI, he provides strategic leadership and governance oversight, advancing the Institute's mission to promote evidence-based public policy, research excellence, and sustainable development.
Prof. Hikima Baah
Board Member
Prof. Hikima Baah is a Board Member of the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives (IPPI) and a Lecturer in Sustainability, Innovation, and Energy Policy at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU). An accomplished researcher and international development practitioner, she specializes in sustainable development, energy policy, innovation systems, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH). She also serves as an international consultant, advising governments, development agencies, and non-governmental organizations on the design and implementation of resilient, community-centered development programmes. Dr. Baah holds a PhD in Sustainable Development from De Montfort University, United Kingdom, where her research focused on the long-term sustainability of NGO-funded WaSH initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her academic and professional experience includes appointments at De Montfort University and extensive fieldwork across Ghana, Kenya, and The Gambia, where she has collaborated with public institutions, development partners, and local communities to promote regenerative business models, sustainable resource management, and inclusive development. As a member of the IPPI Board, she contributes expertise in sustainability policy, innovation, and international development, supporting the Institute's commitment to evidence-based policy research, environmental stewardship, and sustainable socio-economic transformation.
Prof. Dr. Cephas Naanwaab
Board Member
Dr. Cephas Naanwaab is a Board Member of the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives (IPPI) and an Associate Professor of Economics at the College of Business and Economics, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, USA. An accomplished economist, he specializes in applied economics, public policy analysis, international development, and evidence-based decision-making, with extensive experience in economic research, data analytics, and policy evaluation. His scholarly work spans economic growth, international trade, labor markets, agricultural economics, and sustainable development, contributing to informed policymaking and institutional effectiveness. As an academic leader, Dr. Naanwaab has demonstrated excellence in research, teaching, curriculum development, and the mentorship of emerging scholars, while actively collaborating with international research and policy networks. As a member of the IPPI Board, he provides strategic expertise in economic policy, governance, financial oversight, risk management, and institutional strategy, supporting the Institute's mission to advance high-quality research, evidence-based public policy, and sustainable development
Dr. Hanifatu Napari Mumuni
Board Member
Dr. Hanifatu Napari Mumuni is a Board Member of the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives (IPPI) and Head of the Department of Statistics at Tamale Technical University. A distinguished academic and applied statistician, she has extensive expertise in statistical research, data analytics, higher education leadership, and capacity development. Her professional experience spans research, digital innovation, stakeholder engagement, and institutional development, complemented by international collaborations with organizations including AIMS Ghana, the University for Development Studies, and the Mastercard Foundation. Dr. Mumuni has led initiatives that strengthen research capacity, promote digital skills, and enhance community impact through data-driven and technology-enabled solutions. As a member of the IPPI Board, she contributes expertise in data-informed policymaking, organizational governance, strategic oversight, and institutional accountability, supporting the Institute's mission to advance evidence-based public policy, research excellence, and sustainable national development
Dr. Abdul-Fatahi A.K. Abubakar
Board Member
Dr. Abdul-Fatahi A.K. Abubakar is a Board Member of the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives (IPPI) and a distinguished expert in energy, climate finance, sustainability, and public policy. He brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, institutional governance, and sustainable development, with a strong track record of advancing research, policy innovation, and organizational excellence. His academic qualifications and professional achievements reflect a commitment to evidence-based decision-making, energy transition, environmental sustainability, and inclusive socio-economic development. Throughout his career, Dr. Abubakar has contributed to high-impact initiatives that bridge research, policy, and practice while fostering collaboration among academia, government, development partners, and the private sector. As a member of the Executive Governing Board, he provides strategic oversight, governance leadership, and technical guidance, supporting IPPI's mission to promote high-quality research, influence public policy, and drive sustainable development through innovation, accountability, and international best practices
Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari
Board Member
Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, PhD, CISE, CISA, PMP, MTCNA, is a distinguished cybersecurity expert and Executive Governing Board Member at the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives, recognized for his leadership in cybersecurity strategy, threat intelligence, digital forensics, and cyber defense. As a Tier 1 Cybersecurity Professional—the highest professional accreditation awarded by Ghana's Cyber Security Authority (CSA)—he brings extensive industry and academic expertise to advancing digital resilience and technology-driven policy. His research and professional interests span cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, information systems auditing, encryption, telecommunications, and digital transformation. With a career encompassing diverse leadership and technical roles, Dr. Abukari integrates practical industry experience with scholarly research to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions for complex cybersecurity and digital governance challenges. His expertise extends to information and communication technology (ICT), information systems management, network and computer security, IT security, and secure digital infrastructure, positioning him as a respected authority in advancing secure and sustainable digital ecosystems.
Dr. Ahmed Taqi-ud-Deen Sa-eed
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Ahmed Taqi-ud-Deen Sa-eed is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Public Policy Initiatives (IPPI) and a seasoned international development executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in public policy, governance, institutional development, and programme management. He holds a PhD in Development Studies and an MPhil in Development Management from the University for Development Studies, Ghana. Throughout his career, Dr. Sa-eed has provided strategic leadership for complex, multi-stakeholder programmes funded by leading international development partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Global Affairs Canada (formerly DFATD). His expertise spans strategic planning, policy analysis, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), impact evaluation, research, resource mobilization, digital transformation, environmental and social safeguards, and organizational performance management. An accomplished researcher, author, and policy advisor, he has led numerous national and international research and evaluation assignments that have strengthened governance systems, enhanced institutional accountability, and informed evidence-based policymaking across Africa. As Chief Executive Officer of IPPI, Dr. Sa-eed provides strategic leadership to advance the Institute's mission of generating high-quality research, shaping evidence-based public policy, strengthening institutions, and promoting sustainable and inclusive development through innovation, partnerships, and thought leadership.