Advisory Board
His Excellency Dr. David Sengeh
David Moinina Sengeh, stands as a prominent Sierra Leonean political figure, currently holding the esteemed position of Chief Minister of Sierra Leone since his appointment by President Julius Maada Bio on July 10, 2023. His illustrious career is underscored by a comprehensive educational journey and notable achievements.
Prof. Kwame Karikari
Kwame Karikari, a Ghanaian native hailing from the Eastern Region town of Akim Awisa, embarked on a journey that has left an indelible mark on the landscape of media education and press freedom in Africa. Born and raised in Ghana, Karikari received his primary and middle school education in his hometown before pursuing
Sengeh’s educational odyssey commenced with a scholarship leading him to UWC Red Cross Nordic College in 2004. A pursuit of biomedical engineering at Harvard University ensued, where he explored groundbreaking research on aerosolized vaccines for tuberculosis, culminating in the attainment of his bachelor’s degree in 2010. His tenure at Harvard also saw him co-founding Lebone Solutions, a startup distinguished in the 2013 Wired magazine Smart List.
Furthering his academic endeavors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sengeh, guided by Hugh Herr, focused on prosthetics, leveraging MRI technology and 3D printing to revolutionize socket design. These advancements garnered significant recognition, including TED fellowship in 2014, Forbes 30 Under 30 accolade in 2014, and the 2014 Lemelson–MIT Prize for healthcare innovations.
Post-PhD, Sengeh founded Global Minimum Inc, an NGO fostering innovation in Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Cape Town. Advocating for a paradigm shift in aid dynamics, he initiated the “A De Mek Am” Innovate Salone program, nurturing local problem-solving initiatives.
In the realm of healthcare technology, Sengeh contributed substantially during his tenure with IBM Research in Africa, focusing on data-driven healthcare solutions and collaborating with institutions like the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His efforts extended to developing web-based tools for monitoring Ebola in partnership with the Port Loko Health Management Team.
Entering the political arena, Sengeh joined the Office of the President of Sierra Leone in 2018 as Chief Innovation Officer, later becoming the Minister of Education in 2019. His commitment to education was exemplified by ensuring laptop access for every child in the Pujehun District.
Beyond the realms of politics and academia, Sengeh’s diverse talents encompass musical prowess. His multifaceted journey culminated in his Chief Minister appointment in 2023, solidifying his position as a trailblazer. Concurrently, he serves as the chair of the Advisory Board for the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, embodying his dedication to global education initiatives.
higher education at the Komenda Teacher Training College and the Advanced Teacher Training College in Winneba.
His academic pursuits extended across borders as he furthered his education at the City College of New York and Columbia University in New York City. Karikari commenced his professional career as a primary school teacher in the Ashanti Region and later at the Navrongo Secondary School in the Upper East Region, accumulating nearly four decades of teaching experience at the University of Ghana’s School of Communication Studies.
Throughout his illustrious career, Karikari also ventured into journalism, contributing to small newspapers in New York City and Augusta, Georgia, during the 1970s. In the 1980s, he assumed the role of Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, showcasing his diverse and impactful contributions to the media landscape.
Karikari’s dedication to media advocacy is exemplified by his involvement in founding the Media Foundation for West Africa in 1997, a non-profit organization championing media freedom and development. His influence extended beyond Ghana’s borders, as he actively participated in conferences and consultancies, contributing to policy design for governments, UNESCO, the African Union, and ECOWAS.
In 2022, the University of Ghana recognized Karikari’s outstanding contributions by conferring upon him an Honorary Doctorate Degree, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in media education and a staunch advocate for press freedom across the African continent.