TEAM

Branson is an educator, farmer, urban planner and musician. He has led small and large-scale organic farming operations and supply chains, open-source coding initiatives, a fair trade fashion cooperative, cross-border educational collaborations, documentary projects and music videos. He studied Globalization of Public Health and Societies at NYU Gallatin, where he was a Reynolds Scholar for Social Entrepreneurship. He also holds a Masters of Community Planning degree from the University of Cincinnati. 

Joy is a seasoned HR professional specializing in compliance, business management, employment law, and employee relations. With a proactive approach, she aligns people strategies with organizational goals, shaping inclusive workplace policies. She holds an MBA from Accra Business School and is pursuing the SPHRi certification to enhance her strategic HR expertise. Passionate about employee engagement and organizational development, Joy explores innovative, sustainable HR solutions that drive both individual and business growth.

FAFA Mensah works at the intersection of community, fashion and policy. As Head of Peer Education at The Or Foundation, she works closely with Kantamanto women, educating, advocating and addressing systemic issues. For over a decade, she has been a muse, stylist and creative consultant, shaping visual identities and cultural moments across Ghana if it looked good, she likely had something to do with it. She is also the Creative Director of Upcycled Thrift Ghana, using secondhand clothing to inspire and shape more conscious consumption.

Sammy is a trained fashion designer based in Accra who has been repurposing secondhand pieces for over a decade. Prior to joining our team Sammy led a research project on secondhand clothing consumer behavior in Accra. He coordinates efforts with Kantamanto retailers and consumer outreach. In addition he is a Gucci Design Fellowship Finalist. Within his work he is keen on making a socio-political statement, exploring issues of neo-colonialism, sexuality and gender fluidity. Sammy often speaks on TV, print and social media about the impact of the secondhand clothing trade in Accra.

Abdul Wadud is a skilled fabricator passionate about designing unique products and environmental sustainability. With over eight years in Galloway Market, he has honed his ability to build and assemble various materials. Now, as lead fabricator for the Material Research and Development team, he crafts large-scale metal structures, turning textile waste into sustainable products. Abdul takes pride in being part of a movement creating positive change for the Kantamanto community and beyond.

Ama is a Ghanaian trained registered community nurse who is passionate, supportive, loves to care for others and loves nature. She has experience in dealing with people from diverse backgrounds and with different caliber. Her interest in learning something new, adding on to her knowledge and being a positive impact to the society and nation through advocacy led her to join The Or Foundation.

Soabida works as a program assistant for the Mabilgu program. Hailing from the northern region of Ghana, she formerly worked as a kayayei in the Kantamanto market, where she also held a leadership role. In our chiropractic research efforts, Soabida played a crucial role by enlisting her sisters from the market. Her objective revolves around providing assistance and making a positive impact in the lives of women who continue to engage in head carrying activities.

Bright is from Akatsi in the Volta Region and has been living in Accra since his move to the Accra arts center in 2010 after completing high school. He worked as a steward in Kempinski hotel for 5 years and also played football. He joined The Or Foundation as a member of the beach monitoring team and sampling teams before transitioning into apprenticeship. As a lab assistant, he will be supporting all research activities at The Or Foundation

Daniel is a people-centred social growth advocate with over a decade of experience in poverty alleviation through microfinance across Ghana. Before joining The Or Foundation, he contributed to a government-backed social intervention strategy. He holds a background in Credit and Loan Portfolio Management, studied Accounting and Educational Psychology at UCC, and has certificates in Strategic Marketing and QuickBooks. He is currently an ICA-GH finalist.

David has an educational background in Construction Technology and Management with a focus on sustainable design practices and improving environmental sustainability. He has years of experience working as a facilities and technical support personnel in the commercial and residential space in Ghana, working on improving and developing sustainable features and incorporating practices that leads to drastic reduction of waste generated by buildings. He is proactive in building systems that lead to energy efficiency and building longevity.

Emmanuella is a mechanical design engineer who supports the team in developing innovative, technical, and process-driven solutions. Her work spans technical design, machine development, and process optimization, strengthening MTTL’s textile repurposing and recycling operations. She collaborates with and empowers local fabricators and businesses through technology transfer and capacity building, helping scale sustainable textile solutions. Emmanuella is driven to create meaningful change within Ghana’s textile ecosystem through engineering, innovation, and circular design.

Farihana is a registered nurse with a BSc in General Nursing from the University for Development Studies. She worked as a nursing officer at the University of Ghana Medical Center. She also worked as a part-time Mabilgu SRH facilitator. She is passionate about empowering and educating women on their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

A designer and an entrepreneur, Nabi studied fashion design and textiles at the Accra Technical University. He has worked with various apparel companies in Ghana, including through his own production business. He is a creative person, a lover of nature, music and art.

Mina is a fashion designer, pattern maker and a zero waste practitioner who is trained locally and internationally. She is a Vlisco Fashion Fund winner and the founder of the sustainable fashion brand KOREWAAH. She has a unique and creative approach to design which attracts both local and international fashion brands to her work. Mina believes in giving back to the community and is passionate about empowering others through skills acquisition.

Nabia is an entrepreneur, researcher and translator. She studied development education and engaged in participatory research along developmental projects with rural communities in Northern Ghana. Nabia understands the push and pull factors that impact kayayei migration and labor conditions. She is passionate about having a positive impact on society with a current focus on transforming the lives of girls and women working as kayayei.

Henry is a self-taught storyteller and community builder in Accra, Ghana, passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices. Working at the intersection of social media and engagement, he thrives in creative, collaborative spaces. Currently focused on the Kantamanto community, he highlights traders’ resilience, especially women shaping new leadership. Through storytelling, he bridges digital and physical spaces. When not creating, he’s still creating, exploring art, fashion, and narratives that spark meaningful conversations.

Jacob was born in the northern region of Ghana, growing up near Accra's arts center. He's a versatile individual, excelling as a footballer and artisan. He crafts and sells African drums across West Africa, while also having a successful football career spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Driven by his love for the environment, Jacob joined The Or Foundation, initially collecting water samples before apprenticing at their science laboratory. Now a lab and research assistant, he is actively working and supporting in shaping fellow community members on the path of science.

Jamal was born and raised in Accra. Prior to joining The Or, he worked at Galloway Metal Market salvaging, servicing and selling electric motors for more than seven years. He now works on the Material Research and Development team helping to develop systems for transforming textile waste into outputs suitable for useful applications such as building materials, furniture, and more. He hopes that the work he does serves to help improve his community.

Jessica is a software engineer skilled in full-stack development, creating intuitive front-end interfaces and robust back-end systems. She’s passionate about seamless user experiences powered by scalable, efficient code. Her work covers web apps, software solutions, integrations, and data-driven platforms, blending precision with creativity to deliver impactful digital products. Beyond coding, she enjoys exploring new foods and stays curious, adapting constantly to her evolving technical world.

Jonathan is a skilled heavy equipment operator with experience behind the controls of pre-loaders, cranes, excavators, and more. He is currently working toward his mechanical engineering certificate, and in his spare time he enjoys making music and creating art.

Joe is an integral community member at the Accra Arts Centre, where he has a shop selling works from across West Africa’s arts and crafts industry, including many of his own creations. Joe is an artist and a drumming and dancing instructor, teaching individuals, schools and organizations traditional movements and rhythms. He majored in science in his secondary school days and studied the fundamentals of medical laboratory technology at Accra Technical University. He coordinates The Or Foundation’s team of citizen scientists in beach monitoring efforts, sample collection and analysis.

Joshua is from Labadi, Accra. He is a photographer, moviemaker, skateboarder and coach who founded Skate Nation Ghana. He is a founding team member, working with The Or Foundation since 2009 to lead classes and support research through his technical expertise and people-oriented approach. As a skateboarder and community builder, he has been featured in numerous international magazines and documentaries.

Kennie is a mechanical engineer who is passionate about contributing to waste management solutions and hopes to positively affect lives and the environment through her work. She has a love for design and everything DIY. Kennie is a writer and editor and has contributed to two anthologies on climate change and gender-based violence.

Mary is an educator from the northern region of Ghana, though she grew up in Accra. Mary began her work with The Or as an apprentice in our No More Fast Fashion Lab supporting material transformation and serving as a translator. She loves learning and is especially passionate about finding creative solutions to tricky problems. Prior to joining our team, she studied education at the University of Education, Winneba and taught for 6 years. She speaks 6 languages.

Melissa holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a PHRi certification from HRCI. Her experience spans talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management. She is passionate about creating inclusive work spaces where employees feel heard and valued. Melissa is also skilled in leveraging labor laws and HRIS systems to enhance operational processes. With a background in diverse international sectors, Melissa brings a valuable global perspective to people operations and organizational development, supporting The Or Foundation's mission.

Naa Lamiley holds a BSc in Building Technology and an MSc in Facilities Management from KNUST. As a certified Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) with IFMA, she is dedicated to eliminating waste and championing sustainable facility practices. Her approach integrates eco-conscious strategies, resource recovery, and reuse, aligning with The Or Foundation’s mission of circular economy systems. She manages operations and project handovers, embedding sustainability in every initiative. Driven by problem-solving and impact, she ensures efficiency, safety, and cost-effective solutions for end-users.

Neesha-Ann is an ESG/sustainability expert, passionate to address the fashion industry’s sustainability challenges through a development lens. In her career she has provided advisory services on ESG trends and regulations, as well as led ESG assessments in sustainable finance. She has spoken at conferences, including UN COP28 conference in Dubai, sharing insights on textile waste challenges faced in Ghana. Neesha-Ann joined The Or Foundation to support the co-founders in their activities and policy advocacy work. She also holds a Masters in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from the LSE.

Patrick is a communications professional with a BA in Communications Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism with a focus on Development Communications. He’s keen on leveraging his skill set and expertise to promote a more participatory form of development that includes all stakeholders of the development process regardless of their status in society. Patrick has provided communication and community support for various not-for-profit projects in Ghana. He believes the only way to address challenges is by directly involving the most impacted people in creating the solutions.

Richard is a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) professional with experience designing impact frameworks for donor-funded programs. He leads assessments, performance tracking, and data visualization to support evidence-based decision-making. His work has contributed to initiatives funded by UNFPA, USAID, UNICEF, Star Ghana Foundation, DFID, and others. Richard is known for translating complex data into clear insights that strengthen accountability and program effectiveness. He is passionate about youth empowerment, meaningful youth participation, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Tonia-Marie is a visual storyteller, self-taught photographer, and artist based in Accra, Ghana. She explores transcultural narratives, using fashion as a tool for identity, resistance, and storytelling. Her work includes an in-depth study of Ghana’s second-hand clothing industry and its social impact. Holding a BA in Psychology from the University of Ghana, she merges photography, storytelling, and psychology to amplify marginalized voices and reshape narratives around African women. Dedicated to cultural preservation, Tonia creates archives that celebrate resilience and African identity.

Virgile is an Industrial designer and researcher from France. He studied at Design Academy Eindhoven, Netherlands. His main topics of interest are sustainability and circular systems. One key material he has worked with, is the Japanese Knotweed, a plant considered invasive in Europe. His work is an attempt at restoring value, in what is now considered waste or undesirable.

Dimitri is a marine biologist, research scientist, expert generalist, biomimicry innovator, explorer, and global citizen of the world. He focuses on diverse topics bridging fundamental and applied science, with a special emphasis on improving environmental and public health (One Health). A strong proponent of cross-disciplinary research, he champions citizen science monitoring programs, starting with high school students. Passionate about sports and the outdoors, he earned a PhD in marine science from the University of Brussels and is now based at Scripps Oceanography in San Diego, California, USA.

Yvette Tetteh is an entrepreneur, creative, and writer with a passion for nourishing the mind and body. She believes strongly in engaging agribusiness as an important means of creating positive social impact and promoting personal wellbeing. A Stanford University graduate, Yvette brings analytical thinking and academic rigor to team leadership and business development. She has also raised over US$120k in various personal and business awards and grants for the company she co-founded in 2018, Pure and Just Co. Born and raised internationally, Yvette moved to her native Ghana in 2015.

In 2017 Joanna founded Footprints Africa to support circular economy businesses. In 2024 Joanna supported the transition of Footprints Africa to operate as a fully local team in Accra under the new banner of Impact Footprints Africa. Originally from the UK, Joanna has raised more than GBP 2 Million for not-for-profits and worked with groups such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank. A Chartered Financial Analyst, she carries more than 16 years of experience in the finance sector and advising not-for-profit boards and businesses across continents on ESG strategy and circularity.

Jake is a creative entrepreneur working at the intersection of climate and culture. He is the cofounder and publisher of Atmos­–a biannual magazine and digital platform covering the climate crisis and social justice through a design lens. He has experience working with start-ups and non-profits across fashion, material innovation, publishing, and planetary health. He believes storytelling is a pathway to inspiring transformative change, and that traditional knowledge and thoughtful technological innovation can shape a more just and regenerative world.

Gregory is a Human Resource Generalist with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and professional certification from HRCI.His experience in HR administration and core HR functions give him dexterity in all HR scope. His commitment to people management and leadership have earned him honors on influential platforms beyond his professional pursuit. Gregory stands for value and data driven HR practices that sustain business growth and employee development.