Board of Directors
Mr Mark Addo – Board Chairman
Mr Mark Addo is the CEO of West Blue Consulting, following the acquisition by Customs World, a subsidiary of Ports Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC) Dubai. West Blue is engaged for the provision of the National Single Window and Risk Management System in Ghana. Mark prior this appointment has had an 18 year progressive experience as a global business executive in the Mining, Information Technology and Manufacturing Industries Globally. He was the recent Vice President of Endeavour Mining Corporation, a mid-tier West Africa focus Gold Mining entity where he was responsible for Business Sustainability that included management of HSE, Business Development, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations.
Prior to the Merger with Endeavour, Mark was the country manager for Adamus Resources where he played a pivotal role in the start-up, development and merger with Endeavour Mining. Mark’s efforts were instrumental in the development of Adamus Resources growing from an exploration entity to $60 million valuation on the ASX to a combined post meagre value of $597 million in 2011.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from City College of New York and an MBA (Finance / International Business) from Columbia University in New York.
Mr Francis Awua-Kyerematen – Board Member
Francis an independent financial consultant and Managing Director of Winchmore Capital Limited based in Accra, Ghana. Prior to setting up Winchmore Capital, Mr Awua-Kyerematen was the Country Director of Citibank’s Ghana franchise from October 2008 to September 2016; Citi Ghana operates as a Representative Office.
Francis started his Citigroup career within the Structured Corporate Finance division (Global Capital Structuring team) in 2005, where he worked extensively in developing innovative solutions and on capital markets transactions that combined standard structured finance tools such as securitisation and derivative techniques to help our clients in funding situations (mainly structured bonds).
Prior to joining Citi, Francis worked as a Chartered Accountant for over 12 years; this included working at Grant Thornton focusing on business advisory and corporate recovery roles, and in the last 5 years of it, with the UK Exchequer as a Senior Compliance Accountant advising Tax Inspectors on accounting issues in their investigations into the financial affairs of FTSE 100 firms.
Coupled with being a qualified UK chartered accountant, Francis earned an MBA degree in Strategy and Finance from University of Chicago Graduate Business School, Illinois, in the United States, as well as a B.A. (Hons) Degree in Accounting and Finance from Middlesex University, in the U.K.
Mr Francis Kobena Addison – Board Member
Mr. Francis Kobena Addison is an astute insurer and marketer with vast experience in the insurance industry. He has immense expertise in risk profiling and appraisal for thermal plants gained through playing pivotal roles in transactional arrangements towards the successful construction of thermal plants.
Mr. Addison is a chartered insurer with a Masters Degree in Insurance and Risk Management from the City University, London and a first degree in Geography and Resource Development from the University of Ghana Legon.
He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Quality Insurance Company (QIC) where he has spearheaded the building of a high net brand through innovation, prudent underwriting and the offering of convenience to clients.
Mr Joseph E Boakye-Asante – Board Member
Joseph E Boakye-Asante, Is the Chief Executive Officer of Sola Aid Trust, a non-profit organization promoting solar village electrification and SSPV Solar in West Africa. He has over 19years in the deployment of thin film technology, representing EPV, Terra Solar Inc, Nanergy and Holistic. In several capacities from chief marketing officer, Chief Operating Officer and finally chief executive of the foundation.
Mr. Boakye-Asante has experience, not only in energy, but also insurance where he worked with the top insurance companies as an agent from Prudential, State Farm, and New York life, Mr. Boakye-Asante is a graduate of W. Paul Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, with a degree in Accounting,1991.
He holds a post graduate diploma in litigation management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1994. He is currently a candidate for CHFP. He has vested interest in Energy, Real Estate, and Farming. Has brokered numerous transactions through Zway Energy Group, in LCO, JP54, and D6.
He is married with three children. Loves to read autobiography books plays golf and is a Christian
Mr Samuel Atuobi Twum – Board Member
Mr Samuel A Twum is an engineer and business manager/financial analyst professional with 27 years hands-on experience in the areas of Real Estate Project Management, Facility Management, Financial and General Management, Corporate and Strategic Planning, Structural and Civil Engineering Designs, and Construction Supervision.
Prior to becoming the General Manager of Investment and Development Division of SSNIT Mr. Twum has held various portfolios both within SSNIT and elsewhere. He has headed the Strategic Planning, Projects Development, Staff Realignment Project Centre and Properties Management departments of SSNIT. Before these he was the Zonal Engineer for Central & Western Regions of Ghana, and Eastern & Volta Regions of two World Bank sponsored agricultural sector programmes. He also, worked as a senior consultant in a management consulting firm and as a design and construction supervision engineer in engineering consulting firms.
He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Finance. Samuel has undertaken numerous short courses in varied fields of discipline, and attended local and international workshops and seminars.
He has, and still serves on a number of committees and boards of other businesses and organisations.
Ms Cynthia Quarcoo – Board Member
The Founder and Managing Partner, Cynthia Quarcoo has extensive experience as a Corporate and Finance lawyer in Ghana and the United Kingdom. Cynthia has over 15 years’ experience representing institutional clients. Cynthia is an experienced corporate/commercial lawyer with finance experience with specialization in the energy, financial and infrastructure sectors.
An economics and business graduate, Cynthia’s early career as an Analyst at PriceWaterHouse Coopers has strengthened her ability to provide clients with commercially sound legal advice.
1. Acted as Co-counsel for the Ministry of Finance on the successful 2021 USD 3 billion Government of Ghana (GOG) Sovereign Bond.
- Acted as Co-counsel for the Ministry of Finance on the successful 2020 USD 3 billion Government of Ghana (GOG) Sovereign Bond.
- Acted as Co-counsel for the Ministry of Finance on the successful 2019 USD 3 billion Government of Ghana (GOG) Sovereign Bond.
- Advised the lead arranger on a USD 400 million syndicated loan for an energy project in Nigeria.
- Advised the borrower on a USD 85 million syndicated loan facility.
- Facilitated, as part of a multi-professional team, the raising of a USD 20 million refinancing package for a US commodities company through their Swedish-German Advisers, SVN.
- Advised on a project finance structuring on a USD 1.5 million joint venture coal to power infrastructure deal.
- Part of the team that reviewed rationalisation of energy sector Power Purchase Agreements, Gas Sales Agreements, Put/Call Option Agreement, Government Consent Agreements and other related documents on behalf of the Government of Ghana
- Represented the borrower in sensitive negotiations relating to USD 1 million loan facility which involved the negotiation of bank facilities, security documentation, priority documentation and interest rate swaps.
- Provision of advice in respect of IPOs and fundraisings for a South African based multinational corporation on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Cynthia has a strong understanding of the African legal and business landscape. including the unique cultural and political challenges across different countries. An expert in advising firms setting up in emerging markets, she has a deep knowledge of international trade and customs law. Her experience ranges from establishing businesses and consultancies, to working with multinational firms conducting cross-border mergers, acquisitions, financing and refinancing. She also specializes in insolvency and corporate restructuring, having advised PwC on the liquidation of Ghana Airways in 2005.
Her achievements include, recognition by Chambers Global and Legal 500 as a leading lawyer within the field of ‘General Business Law (Ghana)’. (2009 – 2012 editions) and recognition as a leading lawyer by IFLR 1000. She is a Contributor to the World Bank’s flagship “Doing Business Project” (2007-2017), Investment Guide to Sub-Saharan Africa: ‘What Chinese Investors Need to Know’ 2011 and The International Trade Centre (Joint WTO and UN Agency), Model Contracts for Small Firms: Legal Guidance for Doing International Business 2010.
She holds an LLM in Corporate Commercial Law and is currently undertaking an LLM in Banking and Finance Law. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Business Law, and is a Barrister of England and Wales, Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana. She is a member of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, Ghana Bar Association, International Bar Association, Financial Services Lawyers Association (UK), Inter- Pacific Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors. She currently sits on the board of CENIT Energy, GUBA Enterprise and Music Business Academy for Africa.
Mr. Victor Onoja – Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Victor Onoja was appointed Chief Executive Officer in March 2020 after acting in this role for 2 years. Victor joined CENIT Energy in 2012 as Technical Director, having previously managed the construction of the CENIT Plant.
Victor is an engineer with experience in power plant construction and management. He has worked in various operational, commercial and management roles with Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation (SEPCO III), GTG Energy and Mechano SPM.
Victor also worked on the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) and the privatization process of all government-owned power plants in Nigeria as a consultant. These projects were geared towards the provision of sustainable energy for Nigeria and other West African countries.
Victor is a Charted Engineer and Six Sigma professional. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical and Electronic.
Mrs Naada D. Bilijo Jinapor – Board Secretary
Mrs. Naada Jinapor is a Corporate Law Officer at Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and currently the Company Secretary for CENIT Investment Limited, CENIT Energy Limited and CENIT Services Limited. Mrs Jinapor has been involved in key transactions such as Proffering Legal Advice, Conducting Research and writing Legal Opinions, Reviewing Contracts, Mortgages, Tenancy and Commercial Agreements, preparing legal documentations, Incorporation of Companies in Ghana among others.
Mrs. Jinapor is a member of the Ghana Bar Association. She holds an LLB from University of Ghana, Legon, a BL from the Ghana School of Law and a BA (Social Work) also from University of Ghana Legon.
