Co-developing urban spaces for Ghana’s communities

Paul is fascinated by the multi-layered relationships that give each city its unique flavour. With his Sustainable Development MPhil and current doctoral research, Paul uses urban metabolism, resource nexus and political ecology as lenses for shaping sustainable, inclusive cities. At ICLEI, he supports local governments to apply systems perspectives to food, water, energy and nature, and facilitates the development of policies and plans appropriate to contexts of change and uncertainty.

Palesa is a climate and development professional with three years of experience at the intersection of climate adaptation, gender, social inclusion and urban sustainability. She holds
an Honours degree in Environmental and Geographical Science from the University of Cape Town, where she graduated with distinction. Palesa applies a transdisciplinary, rights-based approach to research, advocacy and implementation, and has led GESI-integrated project delivery, M&E frameworks and capacity-building initiatives. Grounded in environmental and social justice, she is able to translate complex data into actionable, community-driven strategies that bridge science, policy and practice to co-create equitable, resilient and locally grounded solutions across African urban contexts.

Jokudu Guya is an Urban Systems Professional Officer with a strong interest in urban development across African cities. At ICLEI Africa, she works closely with local governments to implement circular economy initiatives and identify opportunities to embed circular approaches into urban systems. Her areas of focus include the Circular Economy, water-energy-food nexus, and waste management, alongside broader themes in sustainable urban development. Jokudu holds a Master’s degree in Urban Studies and has a background in city development research, with experience in smart cities, urban data, and governance.

Since joining ICLEI in 2022, Erin has transitioned from a Technical Officer to a Communications Officer, bridging the gap between complex research and engaging narratives. With a multidisciplinary background in visual communications, education, psychology, and environmental sustainability, she is able to make effective contributions to digital strategies. Erin's skills include digital communication, video editing and conceptualisation, learning design, and website management, all driven by a deep commitment to environmental sustainability.

Carina has 12 years’ experience in the writing and editing industry, with over 5 years in the non-profit space. She is passionate about contributing her skillset to the sustainable growth of the African cities that ICLEI’s projects support. Carina holds a Master’s degree in Media Studies with distinction from Wits University. She has always been interested in the intersection of media and communication with environmental issues, and the impact that the right message can have in making lasting, positive change.