Sika Awoonor
Accra
Summary
Talented self-motivated expert on Africa with over 20 years of consulting and management experience with successful career in business development, government relations, consensus building, media campaigns and public relations. Successful planning, developing and executing of events and initiatives to achieve maximum results. Professional with strong work ethic, adaptability, great interpersonal and leadership skills; creative and highly strategic with excellent communications and written skills. Professional and outgoing with success in building relationships and mitigating challenges.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and Managing Director
GLOBAL CHOICE SERVICES ANGOLA, LDA.
Luanda
01.2010 - 01.2022
- Developed new business and responsible for government relations and public affairs while servicing client accounts,
- Project management for public sector agency - Managed scholarship fund of the Ministry of Petroleum (annual value of approx 3.5million USD), as part of the Angolanization program aimed at training youth and building youth capacity to maximize Angolan local content in the petroleum industry
- (2011 to 2018) Offered business advisory and development services to private sector companies seeking to expand business into the African continent.
- Facilitated communication between various departments by providing resources or guidance.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant local laws, regulations, best practices and industry developments.
- Developed strategic initiatives to increase market share and revenue growth.
- Delivered speeches and attended industry conferences to promote company image and engage with buyers.
- Identified potential partnerships to expand the reach of the business.
Managing Director, GoodWorks International, Angola Lda.
GOODWORKS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Luanda
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Set up and run the company’s country office and developed new business for clients within Southern African region,
- Leveraged strong relationships with key government and private sector decision-makers to foster public-private partnerships to develop sustainable economic and business ventures,
- Serviced client accounts that include Fortune 500 companies in the oil and gas, telecommunications, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. Clients included: Chevron, Monsanto, Coca-Cola, General Electric, Motorolla, Astra-Zeneca, 4Gas, TOM Singapore, Zeni Lite Buoy Company, etc.
- Produced due diligence reports on businesses and entrepreneurs for new investors.
- Provided representation services to African government clients, including Angola, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, to effect positive US policy.
- Raised funds from private companies and governments for infrastructure development; assembled and coordinated a team of experts for the Cabinda Port Feasibility Study (Angola) with a projected capitalization of over USD$200 million.
- Cultivated deep understanding of market, customer and competitor landscapes to identify growth opportunities.
- Facilitated meetings between stakeholders to discuss issues and resolve conflicts effectively.
Sr. V.P., Business Development & Public Affairs
GOODWORKS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Atlanta
06.2000 - 01.2005
- Contributed to strategic planning and development of operations transformation roadmap as key member of executive team.
- Conceptualized, developed and monitored the GoodWorks International (GWI) strategic plan to ensure company goals were aligned with activities.
- Managed the development of informational materials including brochures, fact sheets, newsletters, web content, and other communications tools.
- Coordinated media monitoring efforts to track coverage of issues related to the organization's mission.
- ·Repositioned the company brand through the development of targeted marketing, public relations materials and tools, including website, advertisements and high profile corporate sponsored promotional and networking events.
- Represented company at conferences and forums to promote investments and doing business in Africa, and facilitated communication between internal teams through monthly meetings and seminars.
- Developed good working relationships with media and liaised with press on potential news stories. .
- Served simultaneously as Executive Assistant to Ambassador Andrew Young, Chairman of GoodWorks International, LLC, tracking his speaking engagements and writing assignments. Managed his relationships with high-level government officials in Africa and the Caribbean.
Program Officer for Africa
INTERNATIONAL PEACE ACADEMY
New York
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Facilitated workshops, seminars, conferences, and training sessions on topics related to conflict situations in Africa.
- Researched, wrote and published analyses on conflict situations in Africa;
- Rapporteur for Speakers’ Series on African conflicts;
- Organized conference on Conflict Resolution in the SADC region.
Fellow & Program Assistant
INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN STUDIES, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
New York
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Organized weekly seminars and conferences on socio-economic and political issues affecting Africa
- Editor and writer of the Institute’ For African Studies newsletter
- Prepared and divulged public relations material; office administration
- Coordinated events such as workshops, retreats, or symposiums for students of African studies across colleges.
- Provided mentorship to new Fellows, helping them transition into their roles.
- Advised graduate students on curriculum and academic programs.
Intern - Africa Bureau, Policy Unit
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
New York
06.1998 - 08.1998
- Assessed policy documents, analyzed and recommended areas for improvement
- Attended and reported on U.N Seminars on Sustainable Development
- Researched and wrote a comparative analysis on tensions between food security policies and gender issues in post conflict Uganda and Mozambique.
- Supported various program activities, assisting with administrative tasks.
- Provided administrative support by completing tasks such as filing documents and scheduling meetings.
Peacekeeper, TV Producer/Anchor & Info. Officer
UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
NY HQ And Luanda
01.1992 - 01.1997
- Served as U.N Peacekeeping Observer;
- Liaison with local and foreign media in Angola to manage the US contribution and role in the peace process;
- Monitored local media reports on the war and peace process and produced daily press bulletins that served to inform the U.N Headquarters of political developments on the ground;
- Anchored, wrote and supervised production of U.N Television program (Os Caminhos da Paz) to promote national reconciliation;
- Created radio and televised public awareness campaigns on national reconciliation and reconstruction;
- Oversaw budgeting, archiving, and programming procedures;
- Developed and maintained strong government and private sector relationships .
- Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for the peace process.
Education
Master of Arts - Leadership And Management
SALT University College
Accra, Ghana02-2023
Executive Education Program - Agribusiness Seminar
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
Boston, USA01.2010
Executive Education Program - Finance For Non-Financial Managers
EMORY UNIVERSITY, GOIZUETA BUSINESS SCHOOL
Atlanta, GA - USA04.2003
Master of International Affairs - Economic and Political Development & African Studies
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
New York - USA05.1999
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT STONY BROOK
Long Island, NY - USA05.1988
Skills
- Government relations, public affairs, building consensus among different stakeholders
- Business development and market knowledge
- Feasibility studies; due dilligence; project management, team leadership,
- English
- Feasibility Studies
- Portuguese
- French
- Spanish
- Five African languages
- Excellent written and communication skills
Affiliations
- Project Director, Caring Sisters of the Anlo Traditional Area - philanthropic group for improving lot of women and girls of Anlo.
- Member, US-Angola Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT)
- Member, International Business Association, Atlanta Chapter
- Editor, Newsletter of the Institute of African Studies, Columbia University, 1998/99
- Chairperson, Aburi Girls Secondary School 75th Speech & Prize-giving, Nov, 2022.
- Panelist on Talking Point (GTV) on “Women, The Backbone Of Society” March 2022
- Panelist on African Affairs on ABC Television’s Like It Is, August 15, 1999
- Panelist for US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)-sponsored projects at the 2004 Corporate Council on Africa Conference on Project Finance in New York; Investor presentation on the Cabinda Port Feasibility Study.
- Panelist at the Africa Expo 2004 conference in Atlanta, Georgia, speaking on Global Handshake: Matchmaking Businesses with Potential Partners Overseas.
Websites
- 233-209-097-556
- 244-923-484-831
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Founder and Managing Director
GLOBAL CHOICE SERVICES ANGOLA, LDA.
01.2010 - 01.2022
Managing Director, GoodWorks International, Angola Lda.
GOODWORKS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
01.2005 - 01.2010
Sr. V.P., Business Development & Public Affairs
GOODWORKS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
06.2000 - 01.2005
Program Officer for Africa
INTERNATIONAL PEACE ACADEMY
01.1999 - 01.2000
Intern - Africa Bureau, Policy Unit
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
06.1998 - 08.1998
Fellow & Program Assistant
INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN STUDIES, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
01.1998 - 01.1999
Peacekeeper, TV Producer/Anchor & Info. Officer
UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
01.1992 - 01.1997
Master of Arts - Leadership And Management
SALT University College
Executive Education Program - Agribusiness Seminar
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
Executive Education Program - Finance For Non-Financial Managers
EMORY UNIVERSITY, GOIZUETA BUSINESS SCHOOL
Master of International Affairs - Economic and Political Development & African Studies
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT STONY BROOK
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