GAIF 2026

Organisers

Meet the team behind GAIF 2026

The Official Organisation Behind GAIF 2026

Ankell Investments Limited

Ankell Investments Limited is an Australia-based investment and business facilitation company headquartered in Quakers Hill, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The company positions itself as a facilitator of cross-border business opportunities, particularly involving African diaspora communities and international business partnerships. Its mission is to promote trade, investment, and business events that foster economic growth and sustainable opportunities.

Benedicta Ankrah

Co-Founding Director

Benedicta Ankrah is a Co-Founding Director of Ankell Investments Limited, bringing more than 30 years of experience in international business marketing and commercial insurance. She holds qualifications in Economics, Education, and International Business Marketing from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and previously served as a Project Officer with the NSW State and Regional Development Office.

Benedicta has achieved ANZIIF Fellow CIP, a senior professional insurance qualification, with experience spanning the commercial, property, personal, and general insurance sectors. Her expertise covers risk management, commercial insurance, international business development, and community and stakeholder engagement.

Daniel Ankrah

Co-Founding Director

Daniel Ankrah is a Co-Founding Director of Ankell Investments Limited, bringing more than 30 years of Information Technology experience. He has held senior positions including Quality Assurance Manager, Technical Director, and Project Director, with previous roles across Australia’s financial services, retail, and healthcare sectors.

Daniel contributed to the establishment of the IT Division at the Ghana Highway Authority, helping to develop early business systems and budgeting applications. His expertise spans technology governance, systems implementation, project management, and operational leadership.

Thompson Kelly

CEO and Director

With more than 20 years of experience in business development, investment facilitation, logistics, media, and community leadership, Thompson Kelly is the Chief Executive Officer of Ankell Investments Ltd and the Founder and CEO of Kelly Multi-Media.

Thompson Kelly also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Consolidated Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Consultancy Ltd (CBAAC). He is actively involved in diaspora leadership and multicultural community initiatives across Australia and New Zealand and currently serves as the NDC Chairman for Australia/New Zealand, contributing to community engagement, leadership, and collaboration across the diaspora.

Event Organisers

Meet the team behind GAIF 2026

Dr Bernard Otinpong

Chairman, Organising Committee

Dr Bernard Otinpong chairs the GAIF 2026 Organising Committee. An academic based in Christchurch, New Zealand, with a background in Information Technology, he brings more than two decades of academic experience in the IT field.

Dr Otinpong has extensive experience in conference organisation and in running academic programs and groups in Christchurch, alongside wide-ranging attendance at international conferences worldwide. He brings a rich combination of conference organisation and IT systems expertise to the committee, and currently serves as NDC Vice Chairman for Australia/New Zealand and Chairman of the NDC New Zealand Branch.

Thompson M. Kelly

Vice Chairman, Organising Committee | CEO, Ankell Investments Pty Ltd

Thompson M. Kelly serves as Vice Chairman of the GAIF 2026 Organising Committee and is CEO of Ankell Investments Pty Ltd. He brings more than 20 years of experience in business development, investment facilitation, logistics, media, and community leadership.

Thompson is also Founder and CEO of Kelly Multi-Media, and a Non-Executive Director of Consolidated Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Consultancy Ltd (CBAAC). He is active in diaspora leadership and multicultural community initiatives across Australia and New Zealand, and currently serves as NDC Chairman for Australia/New Zealand. His expertise spans international partnerships, investment promotion, cross-border trade facilitation, and community and stakeholder relations.

Eric Kanyoke

Member, Organising Committee | Public Relations

Eric Kanyoke is a member of the GAIF 2026 Organising Committee, responsible for Public Relations. With a background in environmental science and academia, he founded his own investment and consulting company in Sydney, Australia, in 2019, having previously run a publishing business in the city.

Eric has extensive experience mobilising capital and technology for investment projects across Africa, with a proven track record of facilitating projects currently being delivered across the continent. He is currently working on multiple projects aimed at facilitating and implementing investment initiatives across Africa.

Emmanuel Treku

Local Coordinator, Ghana

Emmanuel Treku serves as Local Coordinator for GAIF 2026 in Ghana, bringing rich experience in tourism, marketing, and tourism business practice. He maintains an extensive network across the tourism sector, including strong government and private-sector connections in Ghana.

With over two decades of experience organising similar conferences across Africa and within Ghana, Emmanuel brings strong local networking, conference organisation expertise, and government sector facilitation skills to the role. He currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer of the Ghana Tourism Federation.

Bruce Manefield

Local Coordinator, Australia

Bruce Manefield serves as Local Coordinator for GAIF 2026 in Australia. A Business and Leadership coach with experience running companies both in Australia and overseas, he has well-established connections with investor networks, government officials, and business and corporate executives.

Bruce brings rich experience organising similar events and facilitating international trade. As Australian coordinator for the event, he handles government and business circles and Australian sponsorships, coordinating Australia-based sponsorships and local business partnerships for GAIF 2026.

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