Paul Akiwumi , a Ghanaian national, has joined the GEF Front Office as a Sr. Adviser to the CEO and Chairperson.

He began his professional career as a consultant for the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on rural fish culture development in southern Africa. He later joined the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA), working in the Natural Resources Division. In 1989, Paul joined the Oceans and Coastal Area Programme Activity Center of UNEP, acting as Secretary to Technical Scientific Committees as well as Regional Intergovernmental bodies.

In 1994, he served as the UNEP Focal point for the GEF International Waters portfolio and technical Secretary to the Ecosystem Conservation Group. From 1998 to 2001, Paul was Programme Policy advisor to the UNEP Deputy Executive Director and special assistant to the president of UNEP’s Governing Council. In 2002, he was appointed Chief of Staff and Head of Protocol of the United Nations Office at Nairobi where he supported the Director General in management reforms of UNON and organized numerous lager political meetings. In 2006 Paul was appointed Chief of Staff of UNEP.

Paul holds a Master of Science Degree in Biological Oceanography from the University of Southampton, England, and a bachelor of arts in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island USA.