Joana Adzoa Opare (Mrs) is an International Consultant with over three decades of experience in development work focusing on Gender, Peace and Security. She holds a Master’s degree in Population Studies from the University of Ghana (1993), a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture and Diploma in Education from UCC (1982), and has had other training in Gender, Leadership, Mediation, Peace and Security including the African Union/UN Senior Mission Leadership Course in Peace Keeping. She is a member/potential mediator in West Africa; Database of Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (World Bank/IFC); member, Women Peace and Security Network, KAIPTC; eexecutive member, Ghana Monitoring and Evaluation Forum; former member, Ministerial Advisory Board, Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Ghana; fformer Board member, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Ghana; former Chairperson, National Technical working group on Affirmative Action Law (2011-2017); member, Network on Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT); and member, Coalition of Advocacy Against Domestic Violence in Ghana

Joana also worked as the National Programme Co-ordinator of the UN System Gender Programme in Ghana; as Gender Advisor for the Central Governance Project in the office of the President, Ghana; and as Gender Expert for MiDA/MCC for the Development of Ghana’s COMPACT II. In recognition of her contribution to the advancement of Gender and Women’s empowerment, she received awards from the government of The Gambia; the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Ghana; and the International Institute for governance and Development and Outstanding Leadership Forum in 2009, 2015 and 2018 respectively.