In a time when effective leadership, accountability, and innovation are critical to sustainable development, Richmond Amada-Smith steadily distinguished himself as a committed development practitioner and project management professional with a strong passion for social transformation.
Richmond, who is one of the three Sora Kaufman Fellows currently undergoing a two-week training, has over a decade of experience spanning project management, public administration, entrepreneurship development, and community sensitization and has contributed meaningfully to development initiatives across education, agribusiness, health, sanitation, and youth empowerment sectors in Ghana and beyond.
Currently serving as the Project Director at Heritage Charity Foundation (HCF) in Sunyani, Richmond plays a leading role in designing, coordinating, and implementing development projects aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening community resilience. His work focuses on stakeholder engagement, resource management, monitoring and evaluation, and impact reporting, ensuring that development interventions are both effective and sustainable.
“Development must be inclusive, data-driven, and people-centered,” Richmond often emphasizes in his project engagements.
Driving Change
Since assuming his role at Heritage Charity Foundation in 2014, Richmond has spearheaded numerous sensitization and awareness programs in agribusiness, education, health, sanitation, and natural resource management. His responsibilities include preparing detailed development plans and project proposals, conducting baseline surveys, and leading monitoring and evaluation exercises.
Under his leadership, HCF has strengthened its project accountability frameworks and improved community participation through structured stakeholder consultations. His ability to translate community needs into actionable project designs has earned him respect among development partners and local leaders.
Richmond’s professional strength lies not only in execution but also in documentation and reporting, ensuring transparency and donor confidence through comprehensive project reports.
Public Service
Beyond the NGO space, Richmond demonstrated exceptional administrative competence during his voluntary service as Acting District Director at the National Service Scheme in Sunyani from 2015 to 2019. In this role, he was responsible for supervising service personnel, preparing monitoring and evaluation plans, processing payment vouchers, and producing quarterly and annual reports for the district.
He also coordinated workshops for national service personnel, enhancing their professional orientation and effectiveness. His attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage complex administrative processes contributed significantly to the smooth operation of the district office.
Entrepreneurship and youth empowerment
Richmond’s passion for youth development and entrepreneurship found expression during his tenure as Country Manager for the Global Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (GEB) from 2018 to 2019. Based in Accra, he led national efforts to promote entrepreneurship education, mobilize Ghanaian participation, and create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
He successfully formed and led national delegations to international bootcamps and organized national-level entrepreneurship programs aimed at nurturing innovation, business leadership, and startup growth among young entrepreneurs.
His work with GEB positioned Ghana more prominently on the global entrepreneurship map while empowering local innovators with exposure, mentorship, and global networks.
Academic and professional training
Richmond’s professional journey is backed by a solid academic foundation. He holds a Master of Business Management in Project Management from the National Institute of Business Management in Chennai, India. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Management Studies from the University for Development Studies in Wa, alongside a Diploma in Social Work from the School of Social Work in Accra.
This multidisciplinary educational background equips him with a balanced understanding of management, social development, and human-centered approaches to policy and project implementation.
Global exposure
Richmond’s impact extends beyond Ghana. He has participated in several prestigious international development and leadership programs, including internships and conferences in Germany, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, and Hong Kong. Notable among these are the Westerwelle Foundation programs in Berlin, the Apprenticeship for Good by The DO School in Rio de Janeiro, and the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi.
These global experiences have broadened his perspective on sustainable development, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Sustainable development
Highly self-motivated, adaptable, and results-oriented, Richmond Amada-Smith continues to pursue excellence through professionalism, integrity, and lifelong learning. With strong competencies in project management, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership, he remains committed to making a lasting positive impact wherever he serves.
As Ghana and the global community navigate complex development challenges, professionals like Richmond stand out as drivers of practical solutions, inclusive growth, and sustainable change.
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