Les communautés dirigent leur propre avenir
Mobiliser les communautés d'Afrique de l'Ouest menacées autour d'un avenir pour lequel elles peuvent se battre, grâce au pouvoir de la loi et au développement communautaireFounded in 2016, ACA is a U.S. and Ghana-based non-profit organization that puts legal and organizing tools in the hands of threatened West African communities. We are building an ecosystem of lawyers and other experts who collaborate with communities to defend communities’ rights and pursue their own vision of development in the face of destructive resource extraction operations driven by foreign investment. We help mobilize communities to define for themselves a vision for the future that is appropriate to them, and then fight for and reach that future through community-driven development planning, financial support, and legal assistance.
Since ACA’s founding in 2016, our accomplishments have included:
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Successfully lobbying for Ghana’s first state-sponsored community-led development initiative resulting in an MOU with the local government to scale up our methodology throughout the district in 2022.
- Funding micro-loans for mining-affected women in Sierra Leone to design and launch their own businesses after a diamond mine destroyed their livelihoods
- Establishing a network of West African public interest lawyers who collaborate through technical and moral support
- Obtaining confidential documents from a mining company to draw links between its owners and human rights violations against a village in Sierra Leone.
- Sponsoring 2 new young lawyers every year to serve as Legal Fellows in West African law offices, boosting the capacity of local organizations and promoting opportunities to practice public interest law
- Mobilizing 7 Ghanaian communities to develop and implement their own community development vision through collective action
- Holding the Guinea government accountable to the ECOWAS Court of Justice for massacring a village in 2012. ACA also uncovered evidence that a mining company was complicit in the attack.
- Guiding a grass-roots impacts survey in a Nigerian community that resulted in the OECD ordering mediation proceedings in 2019 between the community and an oil company whose operations cause catastrophic flooding
- • Inspirer la création de la première clinique juridique universitaire de Côte d’Ivoire, qui se concentrera sur les communautés et les industries extractives
- Prompting Ghana’s national Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to order an investigation into a community’s claims against their traditional leader’s unjust eviction campaign
We invite you to learn more about our impact on each Case page
Our Team
Jonathan Kaufman
Executive Director and Secretary
Meet Jonathan, our inspiring founder! He was once a Finalist for Public Citizen’s Trial Lawyer of the Year award and advised the U.S. State Department on holding corporations accountable for human rights and environmental abuse. He has worked on all six inhabited continents, holds degrees from Yale, Harvard and Princeton, and speaks Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and French. He’s like a language wizard! Join him in his quest for justice.
Eric Amamoo
Responsable des finances
Eric is a practicing accountant with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce (B.COM) and MBA from University of Cape Coast. Eric est comptable diplômé avec un baccalauréat en commerce et un MBA de l'Université de Cape Coast. Il a quatre ans d'expérience au Ministère des finances en tant qu'analyste des budgets. Il est aussi le Chargé de Finance et Administration du Centre pour l'Analyse des Impacts environnementaux. Pendant une décennie, Eric gérait les finances pour l'antenne dans la Région Centrale du programme étatique principal pour la microfinance et les petits prêts (MASLOC). Au-delà de la gestion financière, Eric est auteur d'un livre qui s'appelle The Chronicle of Wisdom. He is also the Director of Finance and Administration of the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis. For over a decade, Eric as the Regional Finance and Administrative Officer managed the finances of the Central Regional offices of Ghana’s principal government-run Microfinance and Small Loans Scheme (MASLOC). In addition to Financial Management, Eric is the author of a book entitled “The Chronicle of Wisdom”.
Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo
Directeur du développement communautaire
Meet Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo, our passionate Community Development Director! With a heart for positive change, she’s led community projects with USAID, empowered mining-affected communities, and even rocked the airwaves as a Broadcast Journalist. Nana Ama, a former teacher, holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor’s in Ghanaian Languages. Her dedication to making a difference shines through at ACA!
Osei Nimako
Project Manager
Hailing from the serene landscapes of Donkro Nkwanta in the heart of the Brong Ahafo Region, Osei Nimako brings a wealth of experience and a fervent dedication to his role as a project manager at ACA. Before becoming an integral part of our team, Osei devoted several years to shaping young minds as a high school teacher. Amid his commitment to community causes, Osei nurtures a hidden talent—he’s an avid poet. When not immersed in project timelines, you can often find him penning verses that reflect his unique perspective on life and society.
Elfried Dossavi-Messy
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Coordinator
Elfried is a specialist in the evaluation of public programs and policies. He has 10 years’ experience working on national and international development projects with cooperation agencies such as GIZ. He has actively contributed to citizen evaluations of public governance in Benin with the NGO West African Network Peacebuilding, as well as other research on youth involvement in the decision-making process. For these contributions, he has received several awards, including the Young Leaders of Benin Award (2014) from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation, the TOYP Award from JCI in 2016, and the New Leaders of the Future Award from the Crans Montana Forum in 2017.
Lalla Moulati Toure
Legal Director
Lalla est une juriste malienne avec plus d'une décennie d'expérience à la tête de luttes de défense des droits de l'homme dans son pays d'origine. Avant de rejoindre l’ACA, elle a travaillé pour l’Association malienne des droits de l’Homme, la Fédération internationale des droits de l’homme et l’American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative. Elle a fondé une clinique juridique à Gao pour aider les Maliens réduits en esclavage, soutenu les communautés agricoles qui risquaient de perdre leurs terres et aidé les travailleurs dans les cas de licenciement abusif. Lalla a été impliquée dans de nombreuses affaires devant les tribunaux maliens, ainsi que la Commission africaine et la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples. Elle est titulaire d'un Master en droits de l'homme de l'Université de Nantes ainsi que d'un diplôme de droit de l'Université du Mali.
Kwabina Ibrahim
Conseiller scientifique
Kwabina Ibrahim est une géoscientifique titulaire d'un baccalauréat ès sciences en géologie et chimie et d'une maîtrise en géologie de l'Université du Ghana. Il a travaillé avec plusieurs sociétés minières de la sous-région ouest-africaine. Il possède une connaissance approfondie de tous les processus et activités associés aux différents types d'activités minières et d'exploration minière. Il est un expert en évaluation d'impact environnemental et en surveillance environnementale. Certains de ses travaux de recherche ont été publiés dans des revues Scopus à haut impact.
Abigail Addei
Accounting Assistant
Abigail holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. She completed her national service with the Fraud Risk Management Team at Scancom Ghana Ltd (MTN Ghana) and gained valuable experience as a Former NABCO Trainee at Citizen Rural Bank Ltd. Her education and work experiences reflect her strong background in economics, information management, and risk management in both telecommunications and banking sectors. She currently doing her professional course in chartered accountancy at ICAG. She infuses the office with a vibrant sense of joy and positivity.
Francis Manu
Agent de terrain
Meet Francis , a true son of Donkro Nkwanta nestled within the vibrant Bono East Region of Ghana. A man of multifaceted talents, he seamlessly balances his roles as a sports enthusiast and a dedicated businessman. However, his heart beats loudest for community development, as evidenced by his unwavering commitment to fostering positive change. Aside from his commitment to community betterment, Francis finds solace and joy on the football field.
George Mpoah
Agent de terrain
Meet George, a proud son of Northern Ghana with an impressive journey. From being a Credit Risk Manager at TI Microfinance Ltd in Accra to driving financial excellence at African Turning Point Foundation, his dedication shines in Development and project management. Holding a BSc in Administration (Insurance and Risk Management) from the University of Ghana, he is pursuing an Msc development Management with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Join us in celebrating his dynamic path and future endeavors.
Mustapha A. Mahamah
Legal Officer
Meet Mustapha, our dedicated and seasoned legal expert. A bilingual lawyer and passionate Human Rights advocate with a wealth of expertise in International Law, Human rights Constitutional Law, and Governance. Holding two bachelor’s degrees in Law and Social Work, he’s been a driving force for change In Ghana over the past 15 years. With a strong commitment to community empowerment, Mustapha plays a pivotal role in ensuring equitable legal representation and environmental justice in West Africa.
Emyloia kpadonou
Comunication Officer
Emyloia Kpadonou, our dedicated Communication Officer, combines her digital communication background with a passion for social justice to drive positive change at ACA. She leads strategic communication efforts, excels in crafting compelling narratives, and leverages innovative strategies to amplify the organization’s mission. Emyloia’s unique contributions, including her commitment to empowering marginalized communities, make her an invaluable asset. Beyond work, she explores her creativity through photography and writing, loves traveling, and collects postcards from around the world to foster cultural connections.
Richard Kofi Boahen
Comunication Officer
Richard Kofi Boahen is a seasoned Communication Officer with over two decades of experience in Journalism and Public Relations. He holds a degree in Communication Studies and a Journalism Diploma. At ACA, he manages strategic communication, maintains the website, builds media relationships, and drafts press releases. Richard’s expertise and commitment to effective communication are vital to ACA’s success. Beyond work, he enjoys travel, family time, and keeping up with trending social media content for relaxation.
Koulemou Yéréké
Legal Officer
Meet Koulemou Yéréké: a seasoned Guinean defender driving change. Holding a Master’s from Conakry’s Gamal Abdel Nasser University, he’s a human rights champion, corporate legal advisor, and defender of vulnerable individuals. From fighting discrimination to advocating for victims of gender-based violence and for communities affected by the extractive industries, his expertise shines. As ACA’s Guinea representative and Simandou campaign coordinator, he leads with resolve.
Beyond law, he’s a mountain-loving explorer and avid scrabble player.
Jonathan Komla Agbenyega
M&E Officer
Jonathan is a bilingual and results-driven M&E Officer with 17+ years of experience in designing and managing M&E systems in humanitarian and development settings. He excels in data analysis, driving program improvement. Jonathan’s passion for creating positive impacts extends to ACA’s work in Ghana and abroad. His key responsibilities include data collection, quality assurance, and logical framework development. Beyond work, he finds joy in supporting others to achieve their goals and in his spiritual journey.
Joseph Obeng
Community Trainer
Obeng is a kind and curious individual who enjoys learning new things and exploring the world around him. He was an SHS math teacher before joining ACA. With a great sense of humor he always knows how to bring a smile to his friends’ faces. A dedicated advocate for the disadvantaged, channeling his passion for helping others into meaningful community initiatives.
Ingrid Frempong
Community Trainer
Meet Ingrid Frempong, a friendly and empathetic person who is passionate about making a positive impact in her community. She inspires groups, especially young girls, to achieve their full potential. Her expertise lies in mentoring and grooming individuals to excel wherever they find themselves. She is a former teacher who holds an M.Ed in curriculum studies and a bachelor’s in social sciences.
Fummey Geoffrey
Community Trainer
Fummey Geoffrey is a teacher by profession with a background in Economics and Sociology from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. He also holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Trinity Theological seminary, Legon- Ghana Currently he is a community trainer supervising 7 communities in the Atiwa West District. He is a passionate Community Development Worker, with vast experience in rural and peri- urban communities.
Carlotta Bondzie
Finance Officer
Meet Carlotta Bondzie, she hold a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Cape Coast. With 5 years of working experience at St Luke’s Catholic hospital she is very passionate and dedicated to her career.
Abapa Boateng
Community Trainer
So Abapa Boateng is a development advocate with great insights in community driven development. She’s got a great personality, apt to teach and very innovative in her field. Her experience in community development practice spans for over a decade in education, youth development, gender, and food
security and livelihood. She’s a social media enthusiast, great at learning by doing and play as you learn. When you need an energizer during workshops, she’s got you covered in an exciting way.
Bommie Adamu
Community Trainer
Meet Bommie Adamu, one of our dedicated community trainers at ACA. Before joining us, Bommie was a teacher, bringing a wealth of experience in education to our team. Outside of work, Bommie has a passion for sports and loves to stay active, always finding ways to keep busy. His dynamic energy and commitment to community development make him an invaluable asset to our mission.
Conseil d'administration
Nnimmo Bassey (président) est un architecte nigérian, militant écologiste, auteur et poète, qui a présidé Friends of the Earth International de 2008 à 2012 et a été directeur exécutif de Environmental Rights Action pendant deux décennies. Il a été l'un des héros de l'environnement du magazine Time en 2009. En 2010, Nnimmo Bassey a été nommé co-lauréat du Right Livelihood Award, et en 2012, il a reçu le prix Rafto. Il siège au conseil consultatif et est directeur de la Health of Mother Earth Foundation, un groupe de réflexion environnemental et une organisation de défense des droits.
Ian Gary est le directeur exécutif de la Coalition pour la responsabilité financière et la transparence des entreprises (FACT) et est un professionnel chevronné des politiques, de la recherche et du plaidoyer avec plus de 25 ans d'expérience dans la transparence et la responsabilité fiscales, le développement international et la réforme de la gouvernance des ressources naturelles. Avant de rejoindre la FACT Coalition en tant que directeur exécutif, Ian a dirigé le travail politique et de plaidoyer d'Oxfam America axé sur la promotion de flux financiers transparents et responsables - par exemple des revenus pétroliers et miniers, des taxes et de l'aide - pour lutter contre la pauvreté. Basé à Washington, DC, Ian a dirigé une équipe de gestionnaires de politiques, de conseillers et de chercheurs. Avant de rejoindre Oxfam en 2005, Ian était conseiller sur les questions stratégiques pour l'Afrique et conseiller sur les questions stratégiques pour les industries extractives chez Catholic Relief Services (CRS) de 1999 à 2005. Il a occupé des postes au sein de la Fondation Ford ainsi que d'organisations internationales de développement aux États-Unis. et l'Afrique.
Michelle Harrison (vice-présidente) est avocate chez EarthRights International. Elle est diplômée de la faculté de droit de l’Université de Virginie en 2012, où elle a reçu la bourse de recherche de service public Robert F. Kennedy 51 pour travailler avec ERI pendant un an. Elle est ensuite restée à l'ERI en tant que boursière de la Fondation Bertha. Pendant son séjour à l'UVA, a travaillé en Tanzanie pour le bureau du procureur du Tribunal pénal international pour le Rwanda et avec le projet Innocence, assurant une représentation après condamnation. Michelle est titulaire d'un B.A. en sciences politiques et sciences de l'environnement et une mineure en français de l'Université de Miami. À l'ERI, Michelle a défendu les droits du premier amendement des militants contre la découverte abusive de Chevron, a aidé à défendre les règles de divulgation de l'industrie extractive Dodd-Frank au nom d'Oxfam America, et a travaillé sur le litige américain d'ERI contre Chiquita pour violations des droits de l'homme et Union Carbide ( Dow Chemical) pour abus environnementaux. Elle est admise à pratiquer le droit en Virginie et dans le district de Columbia.
Marco Simons est directeur du programme régional pour les Amériques et avocat général chez EarthRights International. Il supervise l’utilisation par ERI des stratégies juridiques pour travailler avec les communautés du monde entier à la protection de leurs droits humains et de leur environnement. Avec ERI, Marco a été avocat dans des affaires de responsabilité transnationale des entreprises, notamment Doe c. Unocal, Wiwa c. Shell, Bowoto c. Chevron et MaynasCarijano c. Occidental Petroleum, et a soumis des mémoires d'amicus dans de nombreuses autres affaires. Il a écrit ou co-écrit plusieurs articles et publications sur la responsabilité des entreprises pour les violations des droits de la terre et a enseigné des cours dans les collèges et les facultés de droit sur les droits de l'homme. Marco a auparavant travaillé pour ERI dans le cadre de la bourse Robert L. Bernstein en droits humains internationaux après avoir obtenu son diplôme de la Yale Law School. Avant de retourner à ERI, il a été greffier de l'honorable Dorothy Wright Nelson à la Cour d'appel des États-Unis pour le neuvième circuit et a travaillé pour le cabinet d'avocats spécialisé en droits civils Hadsell & Stormer, qui était co-conseil dans l'affaire Doe v. Unocal et Bowoto c. Chevron. Marco est titulaire d'un diplôme de premier cycle en sciences de l'environnement et, avant sa faculté de droit, a travaillé à l'élaboration de matériel pédagogique sur la biologie de la conservation. Il est actuellement admis à pratiquer en Californie, à Washington, DC et dans l'État de Washington, ainsi qu'à la Cour suprême des États-Unis et dans plusieurs autres tribunaux fédéraux.
Dr. Priscilla M Achakpa is the founder/Global Lead of the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) a regional Women-focused organization with headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. She is a gender expert, a negotiator at the UNFCCC on gender, a development practitioner and a national and international consultant with over 26 years of experience. Dr. Priscilla has held many positions at the National and International levels working with a wide range of development actors, government, UN, CSOs, and feminist networks in the area of gender, WASH, environment, and climate change with a strong passion in helping women and the most vulnerable and disadvantaged group in society. She is an author and co-author of several publications, a recipient of several awards including the Albert Ballin Awards, Ashoka Fellows, ECO Ambassador, Channels TV Nigeria, and Deutsche Welle, a public broadcasting institution formed under the German Government and Climate Change Warriors –Vogue Magazine, USA December 2015.
Ifeoma Malo is an energy access expert and a climate action champion,. She has over 23 years’ experience, building and directing organisational operations and strategy, supporting start-ups and MSMEs across Africa. In the past 10years she has become a recognized and credible leader in the energy and utility markets, working on the intersection of Energy Transtion, Energy markets, Energy and Climate Financing and Climate Adaptation markets. She is experienced in political economy, energy policy and energy markets, developmental economy, climate and environment, sustainability, dispute resolution, process facilitation and organisational development.