FDN Foundation

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Guiding Minds, Transforming Futures

Strategic leadership that powers our programs, partnerships, and purpose.

Leadership That Drives Impact

At the heart of the FDN Foundation is a team of visionary leaders whose expertise spans engineering, technology, finance, talent development, and global business operations. Each member of our leadership team brings decades of experience from world class institutions and industries, united by a shared commitment to transforming the lives of brilliant but underserved children across Ghana. Our organization is built on the belief that education is the engine of socio-economic transformation. Guided by accomplished professionals, we combine advanced technical knowledge, strategic leadership, and a passion for meaningful impact to deliver programs that reach the most vulnerable communities.

The Pillars

Guided by visionary leaders committed to transforming lives through education.

Dr. Franklin D. Nkansah with a passion for targeted and effective Philanthropy holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University. Dr. Nkansah was the President & CEO of FDN Enterprises LLC, a US-based multi-national for 16 years, engaged in medium-scale business whose operations spans engineering design, technical consultancy, eMR-automation and healthcare delivery services with revenues in excess of $10M. In January 2006, Dr. Nkansah joined Texas A&M Prairie View University as a Professor of Electrical Engineering. Dr. Nkansah had an excellent 20-plus years in the Semiconductor and Nano-electronics Industry with tours of duty in world-class research centers of AT&T Bell Laboratories, Motorola and Advanced Micro-Devices where advanced Transistors and Wireless Telephony technologies were invented. Dr. Nkansah was an influential architect in the development of Design and Manufacturing technologies including nano-scale transistors and multi-level interconnect with scalability down to 45nm dimensions. These revolutionary technologies became the genesis of multi-core processors including QUAD-Core architectures, thus them ubiquitous in advanced computing and mobile telephony today. Dr. Nkansah is an embodiment of Engineering Research and Management expertise, in the areas of High-Tech Impact Business Development, Advanced Semiconductor Computing and Wireless Telephony. During Dr. Nkansah’s tenure at Motorola, he engineered technology development thrusts that developed and deployed the world’s first 0.13$\mu$m wireless Baseband processor with Ultra-low-power CMOS technology. The productization of this technology generated over $ 300M in revenues for the company Motorola. Dr. Nkansah’s illustrious engineering research over the years culminated in numerous technical publications, four US patents with over 200 internal and external technical presentations, chronicled in various microelectronic products, journal articles and conference papers.

ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE with a sophisticated grasp of market, industry trends, the business and operational acumen to transform them from opportunities to business success. Customer-focused and performance driven; led and motivated worldwide quality teams which resulted in ISO certifications and process and yield improvement across manufacturing sites. Highly successful in building relationships with decision makers, taking control of critical problem areas, and delivering on customer commitments. Keen insight into market needs, technology gaps, design, quality, supply, process, and product solutions. Real-world balance of strategic and tactical, ability to define goals and missions while executing the operational plans to realize them. High industry visibility, respected reputation, and a deep engineering background combined with real-world business direction. Influencer and leader with success creating organizations from a vision building and leading global, cross-functional teams while developing strategic business alliances with suppliers, manufacturing, and customers.

Core competencies include: Quality & Performance Improvement, Relationship Management and Team Building, Budget & Cost Control, Multi-site Operation & Management, Strategic and Operational Planning, Program & Project Management, Reliability Engineering, Quality System Management, Product Development & Qualification, Supplier Quality Management.

Chief Technology and Information Officer, MTN Cameroon

With 17 years’ experience in Telecoms and engineering. An exceptional work ethic, customer centric, industrial knowledge, approachability and focusing on delivering value and efficiency. Proven ability to communicate effectively on both business and technology issues and driving business results with a key focus on customer experience. Strong understanding and in-depth knowledge of managed services organizations to drive value and efficiency. Strong negotiation skills with vendor and Project management capabilities. CAPEX/OPEX control and optimization abilities for business performance. Proven capability to manage large and diverse teams.

  • Chief Technology and Information Officer of two MTN OPCOs (Reporting to 2 CEOs) in the transformational agenda of business performance and growth within the region and with diverse teams.
  • Best nominated Executive of the maiden edition of Yell'o D'or annual program in MTN Conakry (2019) for leadership.
  • Key technology operational cost reviews and initiatives leading to huge OPEX savings and contributing to EBIDTA improvements within 2 years in MTN Conakry.
  • Ensured a #1 Network NPS for 3 consistent years in Bissau over Orange whilst improving significantly the Network NPS in Conakry.
  • Direct responsibility for the UTRAN dimensioning of MTN Ghana's first 3G and 4G network build and deployment. (Both Soft and Commercial Launch).
  • Lead the implementation of UMTS900 in MTN Ghana – First of its kind in Africa.
  • MTN GHANA & MTN WECA Y'ELLO STAR winner for Knowledge Share – 2009.

Garnett Kwasi Affainie obtained his senior high school education certificate from Adisadel College, Cape Coast in 1998 before continuing on to complete the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) program in 2001. He then furthered on his professional course with the ACCA’s mainstream program and attained his professional membership status from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in May 2011.

He worked with Veritax Associates, an Accra based Chartered Accountancy practicing firm, for about 4 years. Garnett rose through the ranks in the private firm from a Trainee Accountant to the level of an Assistant Audit Manager where he became the team leader in several audit engagements including the financial audits of Chase Petroleum (Oil Trading Company), Volta Hotel and GLICO for several consecutive audits. He then moved on to perform management functions at CB Electric Company & Northshore Limited, all in Accra.

Garnett is also an Accounting Consultant & Partner of 3rd Generation Management (3GM) Consultancy Services spearheading the provision of accounting services to several SMEs. Garnett has also gained experience in a manufacturing set-up where he played the role of Chief Accountant and Head of Finance at PLOT Ghana Limited, a cocoa processing company in Takoradi, before assuming the responsibility of Finance Manager at Andev Company Limited in 2012 then start-up LPG Marketing and Transporting company in Tema.

Currently, he oversees the finance and operational activities of Andev which has become a top 4 LPG Marketing Company in Ghana in terms of volume sales. Garnett also owns a high premium professional barbering and spa shop brand in Accra called Barberking Professional Cuts Enterprise.

Seth Agyei graduated from Cape Coast Polytechnic with an HND in Accounting in 2013, before continuing to join the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) part 2. Seth joined prestige suites hotel in 2016 as an accounts officer. Within a year he was the head of accounts and administration of the hotel, performing the day-to-day operations and accounting of the hotel to ensure smooth running, happy hotel guests, and good customer service. Seth resigned in April 2020 and rejoined again as the external auditor and personal accountant to the CEO of the hotel.

Seth has been with FDN FOUNDATION SINCE JANUARY 2021 as Talent development officer/Operations in charge of Scouting for potential needy but brilliant children from rural Ghana and helping them develop their inner talents especially in the field of sciences through the FDN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES, and the day-to-day administration/operations of the foundation. Seth is the CEO of a road construction company. He brings his experience of working with all manner of people in the hospitality industry for 5 years and has the passion of helping individuals and businesses grow by offering administration and accounting advise.