WAMA SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The Senior Management team of WAMA , comprising the Director-General and a team of professionals who manage the affairs of the Agency.
Mr. KIPRE Gradé Momèle has been the Director of the Financial Integration Department at the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA) since June 7th, 2021.
Prior to his secondment to WAMA, Mr. KIPRE served as Head of the Financing of Economies Division at the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). At the BCEAO, which he joined since 2000, he worked mainly on the identification of mechanisms for harmonious financing of the economies of the Union, off-site supervision of credit institutions in the Union, including the review of license applications and other authorization requests from credit institutions. As part of his supervisory work, Mr. KIPRE also participated in on-site inspection missions of microfinance institutions. Mr. KIPRE was also in charge of the implementation BCEAO’s monetary policy instruments and refinancing policy as well as the development of monetary programs for the WAMU Member States.
Prior to joining the BCEAO, Mr. KIPRE worked at Société Générale de Banques in Côte d'Ivoire (SGBCI) from 1995 to 2000 where he held the positions of Credit Analyst and Collection Manager, respectively.
His academic achievement includes a PhD in Economics from University of Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis (Senegal), a Research Master’s Degree in Political Sciences (specialized in International Governance) from Cheikh Anta DIOP University in Dakar, a Master’s Degree in Economic Regulation and Project Management from Cheikh Anta DIOP University in Dakar, a Master’s Degree in Auditing and Management from Institut Supérieur de Management in Dakar, a Master’s Degree in Finance and Banking from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers in Paris and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Abidjan-Cocody
Dr. Mawuli Gaddah is a Development/ Macroeconomist with over 18 years of experience in economic/ public policy management, public financial management, development economics, and empirical research and quantitative methods. He is currently the Director of the Multilateral Surveillance Department of the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA) since 7th April, 2022. Prior to joining WAMA, Dr. Gaddah was a Deputy Director at the Ministry of Finance in Ghana, where he served for over 16 years in various capacities. Key positions held at the Ministry of Finance include heading the Fiscal Risk Unit (2018–2022), the Macroeconomic Research Unit (2013-2018), and the Agriculture & Agribusiness Unit (2011-2013). He also served as acting head of the Macro-Fiscal Policy Unit and the Growth, Employment and Income Distribution Unit. During this period, Dr. Gaddah coordinated the development of a financial programing model for Ghana and the preparation and publication of a number of flagship reports including macroeconomic performance reports, fiscal strategy documents, and fiscal risk statements. Prior to joining the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Gaddah also worked with the Ghana Statistical Service and the University of Cape Coast as Statistician and Senior Research Assistant, respectively.
Dr. Gaddah is self-motivated, result-oriented, an effective team player with good interpersonal communication and leadership skills. He served on several committees and boards. He also has passion for teaching and provided lecturing and facilitation services in reputable local and international institutions. He also published widely in recognized international journals. His current research interest includes fiscal risk, fiscal sustainability and regional integration.
Dr. Gaddah holds a PhD/ M.A in Development Economics & M.A in Public Policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo Japan; an MPhil in Economics from the University of Ghana, Legon; and a B.A in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Dr Elijah Abasifreke Paul Udoh, Director of Research and Statistics.
Elijah Udoh is a seasoned economist, researcher, and policy analyst with over 25 years of experience in academia and the financial sector. He began his academic journey at the University of Calabar, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1996. He then pursued a Master’s in Economics at the University of Ibadan in 2001. In 2003, he received an African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) scholarship to join the inaugural class of the Collaborative PhD Program (CPP) in Africa. Udoh completed his PhD in Economics at the University of Ibadan in 2007.
In recognition of his sterling personal qualities and depth of experience, he has been privileged to serve as consultant for many reputable institutions including the World Bank, African Development Bank, WAIFEM, Pricewaterhouse Cooper, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, EU-UNICEF and Cross River State Government. His work in consulting reflects his in-depth knowledge and commitment to advancing economic policy and practice.
As a former economics lecturer, Udoh inspired students and young economists. He was known for his ability to simplify complex econometric theories and create a positive learning environment. His passion for education and mentoring shaped many budding economists’ careers. Later, as Head of WAIFEM’s Business Development Unit from 2012 to 2013, he successfully led initiatives to enhance the professional skills of financial institution staff within the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ).
As a senior management and executive staff member at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Udoh exemplifies professionalism, integrity, and commitment to CBN’s code of ethics. With a continuous focus on professional development, he has published over 40 scholarly articles and several book chapters on diverse economic topics.
Udoh is a member of Nigerian Economic Society and Nigerian Statistical Association (now Chartered Institute of Statistician of Nigeria, CiSON). He is married with five lovely children.
Dr Mbbah-Offor is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the OUS Royal Academy of Economics and Technology in Switzerland. He completed his professional accountancy qualifications in 1992. Before then he had graduated with a B.Sc. (Accountancy) in 1989. He equally completed the course work and project writing for the award of Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1995 and was awarded the certificate in 1997. He has undergone various training courses in Finance and Accounting, Management and Administration, Leadership, Human Resources Development, Computer Applications, Banking Supervision in various aspects severally in France, U.K, UAE and West Africa. All through his working life up to present, he has been working in international organizations and with people from diverse cultures and can easily relate with them in the given work environment.
Prior to joining the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), Freetown, Sierra Leone in December, 2003 as Head of Finance and Administration (later Director of Finance & Administration (2013 to 2017) and presently as Head of Finance due to institutional restructuring), he had worked with another international organisation – the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS) (now African Regional Institute for Geospatial Information Science and Technology (AFRIGIST)) - in various capacities for almost 14 years and rose to the position of Principal Accountant and Head of the Finance Department for 10 years. His work at RECTAS included among others production of financial reports for all donor funded projects (EU, Swiss Government, Dutch Government, French Government, GDTA Toulouse France, ITC Netherlands, etc). His diligent competences, consistent high performance and ability to discharge higher levels of responsibility earned him accelerated promotions in his previous employment under different platforms.
In other respect, due to his outstanding selfless service to the society, humanity and the Church, he was nominated and knighted to the worthy and noble order of the Knight of St Mulumba in 2001.
Mr. Abdoulie Ceesay was born in the Gambia on 24th February 1972. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Administration and Business Enterpreneurship from the University of Pune in India in December1997 with first class. In 2004 he obtained MBA (Banking and Finance) from Centre Africain D'Etude Superieur en Gestion (CESAG) in Dakar –Senegal. He has undergone wide ranging training programs in the field of auditing and has been a career Internal Auditor for more than fifteen years.
Mr. Ceesay started his career at the National Audit Office in the Gambia as an Assistant Auditor in 1998 to 2001. He joined the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation from 2001 to 2003 as head of Internal Audit at the Systems’ Unit before proceeding to Trust Bank Gambia Limited as a senior Banking Officer at the Internal Audit Unit from 2003 to 2005. He then Joined Guaranty Trust Bank (Gambia Limited) as Deputy Manager and head of the Systems and Controls Unit. In 2007, Mr. Ceesay joined the West African Monetary Agency to start the Internal Audit Unit and rose to the position of Chief Internal Auditor, a position he holds to date.
He is a self-motivated and ambitious person able to work under pressure and meet deadlines. He is a team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills and work independently with minimum or no supervision. He communicates in both English and French with good computer skills.
He is married and blessed with three children.