Ernest Asante Akrasi
Accra
Summary
As a solutions-oriented professional, I excel in resolving intricate problems, collaborating with diverse teams, and analyzing data via software tools and applications. My comprehensive background in local governance, project management, public finance, accountability, anti-corruption, and public policy, coupled with strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal abilities, positions me well for leadership roles and a consultancy career path.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Advisor (Accountability)
GIZ Ghana (Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD)
Accra
10.2023 - Current
- Supported the development of comprehensive Operational Planning activities for the Participation, Accountability, Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) Project (Accountability Workstream)
- Supported and aided in the development of the PAIReD Programme results matrix.
- Engaged in interactive in-district operational sessions with Partner MMDAs to establish a joint work plan for effective execution at the sub-national level.
- Analyzed workflows and set priorities for daily operations in the Accountability work stream.
- Assisted the Gender Working Group in developing a concept note and conducting a capacity needs assessment for Staff.
- Assisted in developing expression of interest/call for proposal for PAIReD programme's Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) led activities.
- Delivered technical advice and guidance to optimize consultancies in support of the Accountability work stream.
- Established and maintained effective working relationships with project partners, government institutions and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure project outcomes are met.
- Collaborated with the Accountability Work stream to conduct capacity assessment need survey for Internal Auditors at the MMDAs.
Technical Advisor (Regional Accountabilty Advisor)
GIZ Ghana (Governance for Inclusive Development Programme (GovID)
Accra
04.2021 - 09.2023
- Coordinated and implemented project activities in accordance with the project plan, ensuring compliance with timelines, budget constraints, and quality standards.
- Advisory and technical support were provided to partner institutions and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region to enhance the Internal Generated Fund (IGF), Local Economic Development, Public Finance Management, Planning, and Budgeting. This also included monitoring and evaluation of partner activities, utilizing tools like the District Local Revenue Software (dLRev) and the District Data Development Platform (DDDP). Consequently, five Assemblies saw their IGF targets improve from 20% to 70% between 2021 and 2023.
- Provided technical advice and support to Audit Committees, enhancing their functionality and contributing to a 27% increase in the implementation of audit recommendations.
- In collaboration with the Regional Internal Audit Unit and the Internal Audit Agency, we facilitated and planned several training programs for Audit Committee members and partnering MMDAs. These programs were aimed at enhancing their capacity and enabling them to fulfill their mandate of reinforcing internal controls.
- Engaged with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and institutions in implementing diverse accountability mechanisms like the Citizens Eye App, utilization of Citizens Generated Data (Let’s Talk and Waste App), as well as establishing effective Social Audit Committees.
- Assisted and collaborated with the District Assemblies' Internal Auditors in auditing the Persons with Disability (PWDs) funds, which highlighted numerous irregularities in the allocation and utilization of the fund.
- Facilitated the exchange of ideas and information by establishing key relationships with stakeholders to minimize duplication of initiatives and resources at the sub-national level, benefiting the program.
- Quarterly stakeholder engagements and review sessions were conducted, during which actions were integrated into monthly, quarterly, and annual work plans.
- Collaborated with partner institutions to provide essential training in Contract and Project Management to Internal Auditors, effectively reducing contract-related infractions within the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
- Strengthening the capacity building of key partners and enhancing Resource Governance efforts at the sub-national level has empowered citizens to demand accountability. This has led to the reinstatement of the flagship Resource Governance Summer School in 2023, following a six-year breakdown.
Assistant Director
Office of the Head of Local Governance Service (OHLGS), Karaga District Assembly
Karaga
11.2012 - 03.2021
- As an Assistant Director, I had the privilege of being a part of the District Implementation Committee (DIC), which oversaw the implementation of a USAID-funded project called Resiliency in Northern Ghana (RING) in the Karaga District of the Northern Region.
- Supported the design, implementation, and coordination of the program as a DIC member. This resulted in significant achievements in agriculture, livelihoods, nutrition, good governance, and WASH to sustainably diminish poverty and malnutrition.
- Contributed significantly to the execution of initiatives that aimed at enhancing decentralization processes, improving social services, and promoting community engagement.
- Supported the enhancement of the Assembly's public financial management by establishing an effective internal control system to properly manage donor funds and funding from Government of Ghana (GOG).
- Conducted local level community engagement training programs for 5 Area Councils, which comprises 176 communities. These initiatives aimed to enhance the Assembly's capacity in providing developmental services, bridging the gap between community members and the Assembly, and thus empowering them to generate operational funds through revenue mobilization.
- Executed collaborations with multiple NGOs within the district to enhance governance, education, local economy growth, and youth entrepreneurship development. This led to efficient management of project activities from planning to evaluation alongside handling donor funds' accountability. This resulted in equipping 50 ambitious individuals with training in diverse entrepreneurial skills to successfully launch their own ventures.
- Gathered data and developed regular and special reports on executed policies and programs.
Education
Certificate - Cities And Climate Change
UN Institute For Training And Research, UNITAR.
11-2023
Certificate - Gender Response And Economic Policy Management
African Institute For Economic Dev't And Planning
05-2023
Master of Arts - Public Policy
National Graduate Institute For Policy Studies
Tokyo, Japan09-2018
Certificate - Proficiency in Project Management Professional
IPBM
Accra, Ghana04-2016
Postgraduate Certificate - Public Administration
Ghana Institute of Management Studies (GIMPA)
Accra, Ghana08-2015
Bachelor of Arts - Economics With Sociology
University of Ghana
Accra, Ghana05-2010
Skills
- Stakeholder engagement & facilitation skills
- Effective capacity building and engagement strategy
- Team building
- Operational Reporting
- Interpersonal Skills & Communication
- Organizational development
- Analytical Skills
- Project Coordination & Leadership Skills
- Networking knowledge
- Monitoring & Evaluation
Languages
English
First Language
Accomplishments
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Scholar Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Scholar
Issued by Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship · Sep 2017
Affiliations
- Reading
- Playing table tennis
- Watching movies
- Football
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Technical Advisor (Accountability)
GIZ Ghana (Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD)
10.2023 - Current
Technical Advisor (Regional Accountabilty Advisor)
GIZ Ghana (Governance for Inclusive Development Programme (GovID)
04.2021 - 09.2023
Assistant Director
Office of the Head of Local Governance Service (OHLGS), Karaga District Assembly
11.2012 - 03.2021
Certificate - Cities And Climate Change
UN Institute For Training And Research, UNITAR.
Certificate - Gender Response And Economic Policy Management
African Institute For Economic Dev't And Planning
Master of Arts - Public Policy
National Graduate Institute For Policy Studies
Certificate - Proficiency in Project Management Professional
IPBM
Postgraduate Certificate - Public Administration
Ghana Institute of Management Studies (GIMPA)
Bachelor of Arts - Economics With Sociology
University of Ghana
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