ALMA secretariat

ALMA’s headquarters are based in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania. The ALMA secretariat is composed of a diverse group of experts in public health, health policy, advocacy and communications.

We support countries with high-level engagement, rollout of national scorecard tools, End Malaria Councils and Funds, youth engagement and high level advocacy including through the African Union and Regional Economic Communities.

Our team is guided by the determination to see Africa realise shared prosperity through the elimination of the continent’s most rampant and yet preventable and curable diseases. 

Joy Phumaphi

Joy Phumaphi is the executive secretary at the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and is a former minister of health of the Republic of Botswana.

Currently, Joy is serving as co-chair of:

  • Global Preparedness Monitoring Board
  • Global Partnership and Fund to End Violence Against Children
  • Lancet Pathfinder Commission on climate change and health

She also co-chaired the United Nations Secretary General’s Independent Accountability Panel for Every Woman, Every Child, Every Adolescent. She was most recently Interim Co-CEO of the Clinton Health Access Initiative.

She was previously a member of the UN High-Level Panel on Global Response to Health Crises and has served as a member of the UN Reference Group on Economics, and as a UN Commissioner on HIV/AIDS and Governance.

Before becoming minister of health, Joy served the people of Botswana as principal local government auditor and subsequently as a member of parliament holding portfolios for lands and housing, where she introduced the country’s first housing policy requiring that local authorities house all destitute people. During her time as minister of health, she introduced the first public sector universal antiretroviral programme in the developing world.

Joy later joined the World Health Organization as the Assistant Director-General for Family and Community Health and was responsible for the 2005 World Health Report, ‘Making Every Mother and Every Child Count’. She has also served as Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank where she oversaw a dramatic expansion of the network evaluation programme. 

Ms Phumaphi sits on the boards of several international organisations and is an advisor to multiple global health initiatives. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a Master’s degree in Finance and Accounting.

Ambassador Professor Sheila Tlou

Ambassador Tlou was appointed as Special Ambassador in the fight against malaria by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta (ALMA Chair from January 2020 to August 2022) in 2021.

Professor Tlou is co-chair of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition and holds a similar position at the Nursing Now Campaign. She is a former UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, former Minister for Health in the Republic of Botswana, and a former Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing Development in primary health care.

As UNAIDS Regional Director, Professor Tlou provided leadership and political advocacy for a sustainable AIDS response in 21 African countries. As co-chair of the Nursing Now Campaign, she leads a global movement, run in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the International Council of Nurses, which aims to maximise nurses’ contributions to the achievement of universal health coverage.

Ambassador Anthony Okara

Ambassador Okara was appointed as Special Ambassador in the fight against malaria by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta (ALMA Chair from January 2020 to August 2022) in 2021.

Ambassador Okara is a lawyer, diplomat and international civil servant. He has been involved in multilateral engagements and public sector reforms for almost 2 decades in Kenya, East Africa and on the African continent at large. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff (2008 to 2017) in the Bureau of the Deputy Chairperson at the African Union Commission. As the Head of Cabinet at the Deputy Chairperson’s office, he was at the centre of essential capacity building and extensive institutional reforms at the African Union.

Dr Melanie Renshaw

Melanie serves as ALMA’s Principal Director. She oversees the development of the ALMA Scorecard for Action and Accountability, tracking country level progress in achieving key malaria and health targets in Africa, supporting national malaria control programmes and ministries of health in Africa to resolve technical and implementation bottlenecks. Dr Renshaw also serves as co-chair of the RBM Partnership Country Regional Support Partner Committee. Melanie previously worked for UNICEF at country, regional and headquarters level and the World Health Organization. She has a PhD from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Malaria scorecard tools team

Dr Charles Paluku

Charles is a Senior Malaria Technical Advisor at ALMA. He is a senior public health development specialist with over 30 years of experience in national, regional and international programme management of communicable and non-communicable diseases. He is also a member of several professional associations and working groups.

Dr Paluku has worked for the World Health Organization as Team Leader of the malaria control and elimination programme at the inter-country support team and is a former Director of Combating Childhood Communicable Diseases Programme in Democratic Republic of the Congo. He holds a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Kinshasa (Lovanium), a Master of Public Health from the Prince Leopold Institute for Tropical Medicine, and a Diploma in Malariology and Malaria Control from the University of Bordeaux II, France.

Samson Katikiti

Samson is ALMA’s Senior Programme Officer and Database Manager. Samson holds a Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering and postgraduate degree in Information and Knowledge Management. He has worked at the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa, managing the sub-regional malaria database for Eastern and Southern Africa. In this role, he supported the establishment of composite malaria databases, use of geographical information systems in malaria control and production of routine malaria surveillance bulletins in Eastern and Southern African countries.  During his tenure at ALMA, Samson has contributed to malaria programme reviews and supported malaria indicator surveys in Eastern and Southern Africa. 

Dr Abraham Mnzava

Abraham is ALMA’s Senior Malaria Coordinator and Director of the ALMA Tanzania Office. He supports national and regional regulatory systems to enhance the introduction of new tools for malaria control. He works with the African Union, its organs and Regional Economic Communities to advance the agenda for the local production of pharmaceuticals and vector control commodities in Africa. Prior to joining ALMA, Abraham was the coordinator of the Entomology and Vector Control Unit in the World Health Organisation Global Malaria Programme. In this role, he had been responsible for leading and coordinating global policy-making processes and supporting the implementation of malaria vector control interventions. Abraham holds a Bachelor and a Master of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Dar es Salaam, a Master of Science in Medical Entomology and Parasitology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and a PhD from the University of Basel, Switzerland.

Reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health scorecard tools team

Dr Ketema Bizuneh

Ketema is a public health specialist responsible for the coordination of the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health within ALMA. He supports the development and consistent use of the RMNCAH and community scorecard tools by the country ministry of health teams to guide actions and accountabilities at all levels. Having served the UN, international non-governmental organisations and government systems in programme and management responsibilities, Ketema works towards using his experience in strengthening partnership at all levels including the community.

Diego Duque

Diego is a Senior Programme Officer at ALMA. He supports African governments with the implementation and strengthening of scorecard management tools for malaria, RMNCAH, nutrition, NTDs and community health. Diego also supports ministries of health to strengthen national DHIS2 health information systems with respect to scorecard-related applications and data quality. He has worked on enhancing data-driven decision-making, accountability and transparency in over 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the United States, largely in the sectors of health, education and economic development. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and International Policy and Management from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Political Science from the University of Connecticut.

Dr Foluke Olusegun

Foluke is a Senior Programme Officer at ALMA. Her role includes supporting the development and use of national malaria and RMNCAH scorecard tools, analysing and documenting best practices in their use. Dr Olusegun also supports ALMA’s work in local manufacturing and regulation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree and PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry respectively. Prior to joining ALMA, she worked as a technical officer with the World Health Organization (Switzerland and Ethiopia) and as a research scientist at a United States Department of Defense Biomedical Research facility (USA). 

Robert Ndieka

Robert is a Senior Programme Officer supporting ALMA scorecard tools. He has previously worked for the African Union Commission, East African Community, African Medical and Research Foundation African Union’s Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources, and International Center for Reproductive Health among others. Robert holds a Master of Public Health and Epidemiology degree and has in-depth knowledge of health systems across the African continent. He also has a wealth of experience in policy advocacy, diplomacy, regional integration, health programming and putting in place action and accountability mechanisms for health.

James Banda

James serves as ALMA Francophone Scorecard Web Platform Officer. He facilitates scorecard workshops and leads Scorecard Web Platform training in French and English. He also supports ongoing development and maintenance of the Scorecard Web Platform. Furthermore, he helps ALMA country focal points with ongoing efforts to strengthen scorecard tools by providing tailored support to countries, tracking implementation progress and documenting best practices.

Neglected tropical diseases scorecard tools team

Dr Irenée Umulisa

Irenée is the Neglected Tropical Diseases Senior Programme Officer at ALMA. She is a public health expert, epidemiologist, gender and development specialist and consultant. She has over 14 years of working experience in the design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of various disease control programmes, public policy development and implementation, diseases surveillance, outbreak investigation and response, operations and clinical trials research and clinical practice in referral and district hospitals. Prior to joining ALMA, she served in the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Rwanda as well as the World Health Organization.

End Malaria Councils team

Stephen Rooke

Stephen is ALMA’s End Malaria Council and Fund Advisor. End Malaria Councils and Funds are country-led and country-owned initiatives focused on mobilising advocacy, action, accountability and resources to support malaria control and elimination. Stephen researches and advises ALMA member states on the technical processes of establishing national councils and funds and documents best practices related to governance, advocacy and resource mobilisation. Prior to joining ALMA, Stephen worked as a management consultant with experience advising governments, the private sector and nonprofit philanthropies around the globe. Stephen is a licensed attorney and received a B.A. in Political Science & Policy Studies (Rice University), J.D. (University of Michigan Law School, Michigan Journal of International Law), and LL.M. (University of Nebraska College of Law, thesis on telehealth and development).

Dr Elizabeth Chizema-Kawesha

Elizabeth is the Senior Programme Officer for End Malaria and NTD Councils and Funds and seconded to support Zambia’s End Malaria Council and Fund. She has supported the country to establish the End Malaria Council and Fund, which is a country-owned and led high-level multi-sectoral body convened to support malaria elimination efforts through advocacy, resource mobilisation, action and accountability. Dr Chizema has held various national leadership positions such as Director of Zambia’s National Malaria Elimination Programme. She serves on various national and international committees including the Gates MSAP, the Innovative Vector Control Consortium board and SOE Course. Dr Chizema is a medical doctor and a public health practitioner.

Dr Denise Njama-Meya

Denise is a public health specialist working with ALMA to provide technical assistance and support in the designing, planning and launching of country-led and county-owned End Malaria Councils and Funds with a focus in the areas of governance, secretariat operations, advocacy, action and resource mobilisation. She also supports the documentation of best practices.

Prior to joining ALMA, she worked as a consultant supporting several countries in the development of their Global Fund malaria applications, in conducting national malaria programme reviews, and in developing national malaria strategic plans as well as malaria policies.

She also has expertise in community, human rights, and gender in health including addressing human rights and gender barriers in malaria programming. She supported the development of the Global Fund Malaria, Human Rights and Gender technical briefs and training tools as well as conducted training of national malaria programme leaders, development partners and WHO staff in the Africa region on gender in malaria programming.

Denise holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Masters of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a Post-graduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Dr Adiel Mushi

Adiel is the End Malaria Council and Fund Coordinator in the United Republic of Tanzania. Besides this role, Adiel supports the community scorecard work. He supports parliamentary engagement and high-level advocacy for the national scorecard tools for the United Republic of Tanzania.  He works closely with the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities to ensure that Malaria remains high on the political and development agenda of the continent.

Scorecard Hub team

Thomas Davies

Thomas is the ALMA Scorecard Hub Coordinator. The Scorecard Hub is an online platform that lets countries transparently share health data and best practices on the use of scorecard management tools. The hub also provides online courses and guides to help countries create, analyse and improve their scorecard tools.

Prior to joining ALMA, Thomas has led digital projects in local government and the charity sector in the UK.

Dr Anne Gasasira

Anne is the Senior Programme Officer for Malaria and Monitoring and Evaluation at ALMA. Anne’s role includes supporting the development and use of national malaria and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health scorecard tools, analysing and documenting best practices in their use. Anne is also involved in facilitating country-level work on parliamentary engagement and resource mobilisation for malaria. Anne is a medical doctor and epidemiologist and has worked in different areas of malaria control for over 15 years.

Communications team

Tawanda Chisango

Tawanda is the Chief of Communications supporting ALMA’s core functions in driving action and accountability, advocacy and resource mobilisation. Prior to this, Tawanda has held several positions in communications, campaigns, resource mobilisation, advocacy, political engagement and accountability at the African Union, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, UNAIDS, UNDP and various international organisations in international development. Tawanda holds a Master of Science in Media and Society Studies and a Bachelor of Science Honours in Media and Society Studies.

William Dekker

William is the Youth, Communication and Advocacy Technical Advisor at ALMA. William is a strategic public relations and communication specialist whose expertise spans through development and execution of communication and public relations strategies, audio-visual production, digital media management, and technical and creative writing and editing. He possesses superb media relations skills with a comprehensive understanding of the media landscape in Africa. William has previously managed communication initiatives for intergovernmental organisations, government ministries, state departments and agencies, multinationals and nonprofits.

Joy Njambi

Joy is the Digital Engagement Specialist supporting ALMA in the realisation of its mandate in advocacy, resource mobilisation and action and accountability. Previously, she has successfully led advocacy campaigns in Kenya, advocating for sexual reproductive health right for marginalised populations as well as health rights for TB patients in the country. A development communications specialist, she has in other capacities developed and executed integrated communication strategies across a broad range of sectors including international development agencies, nonprofits, private sector and government ministries, departments and agencies.

Petrider Paul

Petrider is a Youth Engagement Officer at ALMA. Her role includes supporting the implementation of ALMA’s strategy for youth engagement and mainstreaming youth involvement in ALMA’s core activities such as End Malaria Councils and Funds, scorecard management tools, the ALMA Scorecard Hub, advocacy and communications, regional economic communities and support to countries. Prior to joining ALMA, she served as a member of the African Union Youth Advisory Council. She had also served as a Programme Officer for the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Tanzania office and as a UNICEF Tanzania consultant to produce communications material for children in line with the national plan of action for ending violence against women and children. She holds a post-graduate diploma in Economic Diplomacy from the Mozambique-Tanzania Centre for Foreign Relations and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Dodoma, Tanzania.

Finance and audit team

Souleymane Balde

Souleymane is the Chief Finance Officer at ALMA, leading institutional accounting, and financial management since 2020. Souleymane holds a Master of Business Administration degree from King Graduate School of Business from Monroe College in the USA and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kofi Annan University of Guinea.

Prior to joining ALMA in 2014, he worked as a Chief Accountant for OIC International in Guinea and Finance Manager for Winrock International.

Oluwakemi Oyebade

Oluwakemi is a Senior Accounting and Human Resources Officer at ALMA.

She manages ALMA’s financial accounts and accounting records, and the preparation of financial reports, statements, and analysis in accordance with applicable professional accounting standards and best practices among other assignments.

Frank Ohene Anaafi

Frank is a Senior Finance Officer at ALMA and is responsible for financial reporting, record keeping and ensuring effective internal controls and accounting standards are in place across projects. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Coventry University, United Kingdom, and has over 15 years working experience in international development across West Africa and in the United States. Prior to joining ALMA, Frank worked as Finance and Operations Manager at OIC International, USA and previously as the Finance and Administration Director for the US$35million USAID-funded Title II Food project in Liberia. Frank possesses the experience, knowhow and hands-on expertise in project implementation, financial accounting, strategic financial planning, internal control systems and community and rural development.

Alpha Sakho

Alpha is a Junior Accounting Officer at ALMA. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics with a concentration in finance from Towson University in the USA.

Prior to joining ALMA, he worked as an intern at PWC. His responsibilities ranges from managing financial reports, statements, records as well as adhering to best practices and procedures.

Dar es Salaam headquarters office team

The headquarters team is overseen by Dr Abraham Mnzava who serves as Director of the ALMA Tanzania Office and as Senior Malaria Coordinator.

Halima Mustafa

Halima is an Accountant at ALMA’s Dar Es Salaam office. She is responsible for processing the monthly payroll, developing monthly financial reports as well as monthly bank reconciliations. In addition to other roles, she contributes to the implementation of audit recommendations.

Prior to ALMA. Halima Mustafa, served as an Assistant Accountant at PWC in Tanzania for over 20 years.

Annette Huho

Annette is an ALMA’s Programme Associate. She supports the preparation and dissemination of the ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action and country-specific quarterly reports, correspondence and calls and other logistics for ALMA forums, End Malaria Council coordination, high-level summits, meetings and workshops. She also supports the implementation of African Union Commission and ALMA joint work plan and assists the ALMA Dar es Salaam Office Manager in administrative functions. She is also responsible for managing the ALMA Executive Secretary’s calendar.

Neema Mtega

Neema is an Assistant Programme Associate at ALMA, providing general administrative support for ALMA, where she joined in October 2018. Neema holds a Master of Public Administration from Mzumbe University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Dodoma.

Before joining ALMA, she served as an intern administrator at Nafasi Arts Space.