The People Behind
The Mission
and staff who bring expertise, passion, and personal commitment to protecting children
across Ghana every single day.
Board of Directors
The work of Challenging Heights is made possible by a dedicated board of directors working every day to provide strategic direction for the organization. Their guidance, networks, and oversight strengthen everything we do to champion children’s rights and break cycles of exploitation.
Prof. Mavis Amo-Mensah
Chairperson
Professor Mavis Amo-Mensah is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Strategic Communication at the University of Education, Winneba. As accomplished scholar and Accredited Public Relations Practitioner, she brings extensive expertise in institutional governance, corporate social responsibility, and strategic communication to her leadership roles. Through her blend of high-level academic research, advisory experience, and commitment to social impact, she provides critical guidance to Challenging Heights, driving organizational development and effective stakeholder engagement.
Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey
Member
Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey is a dedicated health policy researcher, lecturer, and registered general nurse with extensive expertise in health systems resilience, patient safety, and healthcare management. Her deep commitment to mentorship, institutional planning, and health governance makes her a significant asset in providing strategic guidance and strengthening organizational oversight.
Linda Ataa Osabutey
Member
Linda Ataa Osabutey is an accomplished project management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and gender specialist with over twelve years of experience in international development and humanitarian programming. She combines advanced technical proficiency in M&E systems with a profound commitment to social justice.
Mr. Kenneth Mamud
Member
Kenneth Mamudu is a seasoned development practitioner and child protection specialist with over 20 years of experience in programme management, education, and child labour remediation. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prominent organizations to implement impactful community-based interventions focused on child protection and education.
James Kofi Annan
Secretary
James Kofi Annan is the Founder and Executive Director of Challenging Heights. A survivor of child trafficking himself, he serves on the Advisory Board as Secretary, bringing two decades of frontline experience in child protection, community development, and advocacy at national and international levels.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The work of Challenging Heights is made possible by a dedicated management committee working alongside
communities across Ghana to champion children’s rights and break cycles of exploitation. Their guidance, networks,
and oversight strengthen everything we do.
Founder & Executive Director
James founded Challenging Heights in 2005 after surviving child trafficking himself at the age of six. Over two decades, he has built the organisation into one of Ghana’s most respected child protection NGOs, receiving international recognition for his advocacy work. A survivor turned advocate, James leads the organisation’s strategic direction, donor partnerships, and national policy engagement. His lived experience of exploitation is the foundation on which Challenging Heights was built, and continues to drive its mission every day.
Cynthia Adjoa Annan
Co-Founder / SNR MANAGER Administration
Enock Dery Pufaa
SENIOR MANAGER, RESEARCH, LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT AND CONSULTANCY
Enock Dery Pufaa serves as the Senior Manager, Research, Learning, Development & Consultancy at Challenging Heights. With extensive experience in programme management and child protection, Enock ensures that the organisation’s interventions are evidence-based, well-coordinated, and aligned with international best practices. He plays a central role in donor reporting and programme quality assurance.
Rosemary Afedzie
Stephen Addo
Senior Manager, Field OPERATIONS & Community Engagement
Stephen Addo leads Challenging Heights’ field operations and community engagement work, coordinating field teams responsible for identifying and safely removing children from trafficking and forced labour situations across Ghana. He also manages the organisation’s relationships with communities, local authorities, and law enforcement partners to strengthen child protection systems at the grassroots level.
Gilbert Oduroh
SENIOR MANAGER, FINANCE
Elizabeth Ayebeng
Elizabeth Ayebeng leads the Challenging Heights School, which provides low-cost, quality education to rescued children and the surrounding community. Through her leadership, she ensures that the school serves as a core pillar of the organization’s mission, equipping students with the essential skills to secure their future independence.
Nancy Arthur
MANAGER, MENTORSHIP
Nancy Arthur oversees the mentorship and support of survivors in school under the extended reintegration programme. She coordinates the support provided to them by Challenging Heights and serves as a bridge between survivors and the organization, while leading activities that promote their personal development, confidence, and successful transition into independent lives.
Dr. Bismark Odum-Sackey
Policy / COMMUNICATIONS Advisor
Dr. Bismark Odum-Sackey serves as Policy/Communications Advisor to Challenging Heights, providing expert guidance on child protection policy, advocacy strategy, and engagement with national and international institutions. His deep knowledge of the policy landscape helps ensure that Challenging Heights’ voice is heard at the highest levels of government and civil society in Ghana and beyond.
Joyce Abena Annan
Manager, Monitoring & Evaluation
Joyce Abena Annan leads Challenging Heights’ monitoring and evaluation work, supporting the organisation to track programme performance, measure impact, and strengthen accountability. Her work ensures that evidence and learning inform programme improvement and help Challenging Heights achieve meaningful outcomes for children and communities.
Helen Otuko Ayertei
Manager, Mother & Child Recovery Centre
Helen oversees the Mother and Child Recovery Centre, ensuring that children and young people in Challenging Heights’ care receive the protection, support, and nurturing environment they need to recover and thrive. She plays a key role in coordinating the centre’s daily operations and supporting the holistic recovery and wellbeing of survivors.
Emmanuel Annobil
Manager, Communications & Advocacy
Emmanuel Annobil leads communications and advocacy at Challenging Heights, strengthening the organisation’s visibility and amplifying its work to protect children and end trafficking and exploitation. He oversees storytelling, digital communications, media engagement, and advocacy efforts that connect Challenging Heights with communities, partners, and wider audiences.