AWARDING BOARD
PROF. DAVID ATTA PETERS
Prof. David Atta-Peters is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana where he teaches courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels in Sedimentary Geology and Petroloeum Geoscience. He is a Fulbright Fellow and an Associate Member of the American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists (AASP) Centre for Excellence in Palynology, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, USA where he studied dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy in 1997. He also studied at the Institute of Historical Geology and Paleontology, University of Copenhagen in 1988.
As a palynologist and biostratigrapher, Prof. D. Atta-Peters research interest is in palynology, palynofacies analysis, organic geochemistry and sedimentology of sedimentary basins. He has worked extensively on sediments from the Sekondi Group in the Central Basin of Ghana and on sediments from exploratory oil wells in the offshore Tano Basin where hydrocarbons (oil and gas) have been discovered and production is ongoing in the Jubilee Field. He has also worked on sediments from the Atchafalaya marsh in the Mississippi River delta and Timbalier Bay along the Gulf Coast of USA. He is a member of American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists (AASP), International Commission of the Palaeozoic Microflora (CIMP), Ghana Science Association (GSA) and the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists (GhIG).
Prof. D. Atta-Peters is the Master of Legon Hall, University of Ghana and a member of the board of the Petroleum Commission which is tasked to regulate activities in the upstream petroleum sector. He is also an assessor of academic programmes for oil and gas for accreditation of some universities by National Accreditation Board.
Mary Phadi
Mary Phadi is an entrepreneur who entered the male-dominated world of the Trucking Industry in 2006 as a Director of Basadi Logistics. Her entrepreneurial journey started at her early age of her life when she used to sell Russians and chips to her classmates. She is the Author of the book : Destined to Reign
Her experience in road freight Industry includes serving in the following roles, the:
– Former Spokesperson of the Coal Transporters Forum,
– Transport Sector B-BBEE Charter Council member
– National Chairperson of the Women in Transport (SANWIT)
– and the Coal Transporters Safety Convener
Mary was nominated for the following programmes as part of the recognition and development of outstanding women in business and completed the following programmes:
– Goldman Sachs- GIBS 10 000 Women Certificate Programme
– and the Exxaro Contractor Development Programme
Mary has been honoured as an industry player:
– as a Judge in the TRANSPORT EVOLUTION AFRICA EXPO for Women in Transport Awards for 2020 & 2021
– was featured in the G20 EMPOWER Women Leadership book from Indonesia
– Mary scooped 2 Awards she was honoured from Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute with a Woman on the Move Excellence in Business Award
She is awarded as Mail & Guardian The Governing Woman Award
Mary currently serves as:
– A participant in the Cross-Border Road Transport Regulators Forum representing freight.
– A Director of RailRunner South Africa of the Road to Rail Strategy
– The Chairperson for the Transport Associations that represents Zambia, DRC Congo, Tanzania, Botswana & South Africa
– Mary Phadi is the President of the Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA)
Mary is passionate about policy transformation that will create an inspiring environment for broader participation & sustainability in the road freight industry.
Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun
Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun is currently the Chairperson and Co-owner of United Africa Group (Pty) Ltd, the holding Company of over 42 subsidiaries. UAG has a diverse property portfolio in hospitality, gaming, property development, real estate, financial services, travel, healthcare, and renewable energy.
She’s acquired the following educational qualifications and they include:
Master of Business Administration Finance (MBA)- 1999 University of California Berkeley, USA, Master of Business Administration (MBA)-1990 University of California, Santa Clara, California, USA, Bsc. Business Administration and Management St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville Virginia, USA and PhD Business Administration – In progress City University, Seattle California, USA
Her responsibilities as the chairperson and co-owner is to direct the United Africa Group Board on the execution of the company’s strategic objectives, Act as a liaison between management and the Board, provide independent advice and counsel to the CEO, Formulate overall strategy for the company Custodian of the Group’s corporate governance and generate or maintain enthusiasm, confidence, optimism and cooperation among team players.
Dr Martha exhibits great leadership values pursued and synthesized through focus and team development. As a holder of a Master of Business Administration in Finance degree Dr. have the special ability to integrate financial and other operational resources to achieve set and goals.
Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun Foundation (DMNTF) is a non-profit organization aimed at providing the African Girl Child with opportunities to better their lives be it through mentorship programs, bursaries or assisting them to fund entrepreneurial projects; with the intention of equipping Young African Girls with skills that will enable them to be well rounded individuals who can contribute positively to the economy of their respective countries.
She served as Chairperson of Protea Hotels Namibia, MEATCO Board 3, Namibian Business School Board of Advisors, Hope Village and the SADC Chamber of Commerce till July 2014. She also served as President of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry till July 2014 and as President of AREVA Resources Namibia till July 2014.
Dr Martha served as Director of Diamond Company of Namibia, Standard Bank Namibia till August 2016, as a member of the Swapo Party Central Committee, Patron of various schools such as Ehafo Secondary School and Onependapaulo Secondary School.
Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun received some consecrations received over the year and they are as follows;
• The Most Distinguished Order of Namibia: Third Class August 2014 AWARDS RECEIVED, Osun Award, Ondunde Festival, June 2019, Philadelphia, USA
• African Women of Excellence Award, November 2018, Johannesburg (South Africa)
• Africa Economy Builders Awards, Most Outstanding Businesswomen of the Year April 2016, Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
• African Business Leader of the Year, Corporate Council on Africa, December 2013
• Outstanding Women in Leadership: Port Louis Mauritius November 2013
• Deal of the Year Africa: Hilton Worldwide 2010
• Laureate Innovative Entrepreneur: Junior achievement 2006
• Women in Business: San Jose Magazine 2003
