WAPCA Team

Andrea Dempsey BA MSc - Director

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Andrea became Country Coordinator in November 2014. Prior to taking this role, Andrea worked at the Zoological Society of London - London Zoo for ten years.  Andrea was a Senior Zoo Keeper working with primates and big cats. Andrea was Co-chair of the BIAZA Mammal Working Group Primate Focus Group and Council Member of the Association of British Wild Animal Keepers.  Andrea first came to know of WAPCA in 2007 when ZSL received a new group of white-naped mangabeys, soon after Andrea headed to Ghana, spending one month working with WAPCA collecting data as part of the breeding research she was doing on behalf of the EAZA  Exsitu species Programme (EEP). Andrea returned to Ghana in early 2014 to carry out fieldwork as part of her MSc in Primate Conservation, working again with WAPCA conducting primate surveys.

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In 2019 Andrea became WAPCA Programme Manager, based in the UK and in 2025 was appointed Director.  Andrea is also the EAZA Afro-Eurasian Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Vice Chair and Conservation Advisor. Member of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group, EAZA Forest Guenon Monitor, and an IUCN Red List Assessor. Andrea recently became the global breeding programme coordinator for the Diana monkey and a member of the Bristol Zoological Society Conservation Advisory Group and EAZA Conservation Committee.

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Karen Akuaku, BSc, MSc - In situ Projects Coordinator

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Karen holds an MSc degree in Forest and Nature Conservation with specialization in Management from Wageningen University and Research and a BSc degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management from Presbyterian University, Ghana.  As WAPCA’s InSitu Project Coordinator, Karen oversees project implementation and coordination at Ankasa-Tanoe and Cape Three Points CREMAs. Karen enjoys watching nature documentaries in her free time.

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Núria Badiella MPhil - Team Leader / Education & Research Coordinator

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Nuria has been working with WAPCA since 2016. Previously, in 2012, through a collaboration with Barcelona Zoo and as part of her Biology degree she conducted a behavioural research of White-naped mangabeys at the EPBC.  Nuria coordinates WAPCA conservation education projects, from the city to the communities where WAPCA works. As a research coordinator, she coordinates the students from WAPCA Research Group and ensures the WAPCA research strategy is followed. Nuria also provides administrative support to the Programme Manager in the office.

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Foster Poasangma BSc - Ex situ Project Coordinator

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Foster started with WAPCA in September 2019.  He monitors our ex situ projects in both the Accra and Kumasi Zoos.  He holds a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Ghana.  Foster's hobbies include reading Christian novels and swimming.  

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Frank N'Darko - Ankasa-Tano Communication Lead

 

Frank started working with WAPCA from 2010 since it inception. He completed Middle School form four in the year 1986. He helps in patrolling and monitoring of primates. I love high jump and football. 

 

Selaise Tsorgali - Patrol and Research Lead

 

Selasie joined WAPCA since 2012. He completed primary school in 1998. As the patrol lead at Ankasa-Tanoe and Cape Three Points Landscapes, Selasie oversees all patrol activities, train patroller in primate identification and behaviour. He also provides support to Research and Education Coordinator. Selasie loves various sporting activities.

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Charles Afosah - Cape Three Point Project Lead

 

Charles started working with WAPCA in January 2021. Charles holds a degree in Integrated Development Studies from University for Development Studies (UDS. Project Lead  for Cape Three Points Project Area in charge of Training, Capacity building, strengthening and support of community patrols, Implementation of key awareness campaign programs, Restoring degraded areas of the forest reserve and  support community resource management area.  

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