ABOUT

Cairns Org Ghana Limited is a research and program development company based in Ghana and Edinburgh, Scotland. We are committed to providing leadership, values, and visionary thinking to the offshore oil and gas industry as it navigates the challenges of climate change and energy transition. Our team of experts has a wealth of experience in environmental management, natural climate solutions, and energy transition management. Cairns Ghana Limited is supported by the CICO-EICOE-ETML Collaborative, a consortium of companies that offers a range of specialized support services in the areas of energy transition management, carbon offsetting, evaluation and certification, and mediation in conflict situations.

We specialize in the strategic management and implementation of projects to comply with certification and the methodologies involved in offset arrangements, working in collaboration with EPA Ghana. Our services include connecting farming and forestry landowners with carbon credit buyers and facilitating transactions with buyers, particularly in Ghana’s offshore oil and gas and mining sectors. This includes land reclamation and chronic decontamination of abandoned gold mining lands.

Additionally, we offer innovative options for carbon management and trading, climate finance certification, and debt-for-climate swaps. Our expertise also extends to infrastructure planning and design for ports, harbors, and new communities, ensuring sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Our Goals

We are focused on being the partner of choice for communities, governments and private companies in the energy transition space.

We are agile and can form collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups and individual organizations.

We provide professional services that ensure successful outcomes for our clients.

OUR TEAM

DR. RUBEN ATEKPE

Co-Chairman, Cairns-org (Ghana)

Dr. Ruben Atekpe was educated at the University of Kent in the UK and Imperial College, London. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Kent, as well as a Master’s degree (MSc) and a Doctorate (PhD) in Finance from Imperial College, London.

Ruben Atekpe is an entrepreneur, educator, project developer, and investment advisor, with significant success in attracting and deploying global brands to the Ghanaian and West African markets. He has invaluable corporate governance experience, particularly as it relates to guiding new major initiatives from inception to full establishment, having done so across multiple sectors.

Ruben Atekpe, born in Ghana, is the founder and Executive Chairman of Merchant Company of West Africa (MECOWA), which directly or indirectly established several global brands in Ghana, including Duravit sanitary ware, Steel Case furniture, Mr. Price Department Store, Nike, and Comet Free Zones, Border Tax-Free shops. In many cases, the entry of these global brands into Ghana represented trail-blazing establishment of new industries or business models, and many of these brands have gone on to become household names in Ghana.

He was a founding shareholder and first chairman of Meridian Port Services Limited, the first dedicated Container Terminal in Ghana, which is currently undergoing expansion to triple its container handling capacity. Ruben sits on the advisory board of Miro Forestry Limited and is a director/shareholder of Quantum Power Ghana Gas, a special purpose vehicle developing the US$600M LNG import and regasification terminal in Tema, Ghana. He is also an advisor to one of the leading multinational companies involved in the development of critical aspects of an entire value chain relating to bauxite in Ghana, from bauxite mining to aluminum production. Ruben was also the lead business advisor in a consortium of international real estate development professionals, charged with master planning the development of the 60-acre commercial property (hotels, offices, and retail) at the Kotoka Airport in Accra, Ghana (“Airport City”).

In all these roles, Ruben has consistently demonstrated an ability to merge the understanding and practice of corporate governance in both the Western and African business contexts to ensure efficient execution of corporate strategic objectives. He is the Chairman and also a shareholder in Butawu Rural Bank.

Ruben was part of the team that established the Executive MBA Program at the University of Ghana Business School, Legon. As part of this role, he co-developed and assisted in the successful implementation of the founding curriculum of the Program. In addition, Ruben has taught undergraduate classes in Banking & Finance and Accounting, as well as MBA classes in Finance.

Ruben has played an instrumental role in supporting the extension of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) various entrepreneurial and hands-on business education platforms into Ghana. Since 2013, Ruben has worked with several teams from MIT’s G-LAB program, helping several of them to connect to other corporate clients while involving and supervising others in projects developed by his own companies. He has featured as Guest Speaker at MIT to discuss some of his work with the MIT entrepreneurial ecosystem, which includes the Martin Trust Centre for MIT Entrepreneurship and the Legatum Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development. Since early 2020, he has been a Disruptor and Lecturer at Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA.

He is a member of the World Economic Forum Experts Panel, with a focus on Africa Energy and Infrastructure, and previously served on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council for Africa. He is a founding member of the Ghana chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

He is a founding member of the Ghana Malaysia Business Council, which has presidents of both Ghana and Malaysia as Co-Chairmen. He advised both Singapore and Dubai trade offices in their establishment of regional offices in West Africa.

Ruben Atekpe has been involved in numerous significant projects, including serving as Lead Business Advisor in a consortium of international real estate development professionals for the development of a 60-acre commercial property at Kotoka Airport, Accra, Ghana (“Airport City”). He is a director/shareholder of Quantum Power Ghana Gas, a special purpose vehicle developing the US$600M LNG import and regasification terminal in Tema, Ghana. He sits on the advisory board of Miro Forestry Limited and has advised on the introduction of global brands like Duravit sanitary ware, Steel Case furniture, Mr. Price Department Store, Nike, and Comet Free Zones, Border Tax-Free shops into Ghana.

Ruben Atekpe has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to various sectors. He is known for his ability to blend corporate governance practices from Western and African contexts to achieve strategic business goals.

William J Cairns

Co-Chairman, Cairns-Org (Ghana) and Executive Chairman, Cairns Intersphere Consulting Organisation, Edinburgh, Scotland

William Cairns was educated at MIT, the Joint Center of Urban Studies at MIT & Harvard University, Durham University, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). He holds Master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning, a postgraduate diploma in Landscape Architecture, and a Master of Horticulture (Applied Environmental Science).

William Cairns pioneered the introduction of Environmental Impact methodologies in the assessment of offshore oil and gas projects in the North Sea in the 1970s. He has been involved in major development projects, including defense establishments, reservoirs, motorways, nuclear power installations, urban redevelopment, and new towns. He is a winner of national and international design awards. Most recently, he has become hugely engaged in the assessment and application of regenerative agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity in Scotland and Ghana.

William Cairns, born in Cawdor on March 13, 1936, is the son of Robert William Cairns, MBE, TD, MA (d. 1972), and Marjory Helen Dickson (d. 1983). He was educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh, RBGE (DHE Dist.), King's College, University of Durham (DLD), and MIT (MCP).

In 1962, he married Barbara Marjory, daughter of George Stuart Russell, OBE, WS. They have one son, Alastair William Rutherfurd (born 1966), and one daughter, Sarah Marjory Russell (twin, born 1966).

William Cairns' career includes national service in the RMP from 1954-56, active service in Cyprus, and serving as a Lieutenant in the 155 Lowland Brigade HQ and 7/9th Highlanders Battalion, The Royal Scots, from 1958-62. He founded W J Cairns & Partners, Environmental Consultants, in Edinburgh and Belfast in 1972. He was Vice Principal at Land Use Consultants, London, from 1968-72, and Chief Landscape Architect at Craigavon New City Development Commission, Northern Ireland, from 1966-68. He was a Whitney Fellow at MIT and a Research Associate at the Joint Centre for Urban Studies at MIT & Harvard from 1964-66. He also served as Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia from 1962-64, teaching Landscape Ecology and Design. He began his career as a Planning Assistant (Landscape) at the Glasgow City Planning Department in 1962 and at Lanarkshire County Planning Department from 1960-61.

Major assignments include Lead Environmental Consultant for the MOD Trident Missile Programme, Firth of Clyde, Scotland; Principal Advisor to the Government of Kazakhstan for onshore oil and gas infrastructure master planning and development; Advisor to the Scottish Government on steelworks closures and regeneration planning; and Lead Consultant for planning and design of Los Organos New Township, Piura, Peru. He has advised the Northern Ireland government on the regeneration of industrial estates, and has served as Lead Planning and Design Consultant for BP’s Sullom Voe Oil and Gas Terminal and Occidental’s Flotta Oil Terminal. He has been engaged in environment, infrastructure, and economic development programs for mining, oil, and gas projects in the Philippines, Tanzania, Namibia, Armenia, and Kenya. He has also been a Specialist Advisor to CBCL, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Sydney Steelworks closure strategies and conceptual master planning.

William Cairns recently completed editing ICOE’s three-volume, ten-section work on Offshore Oil and Gas Operations, Environment, Health, and Safety performance management, published by Ingram US. This project is now digitally published and is being followed by involvement in energy and economic transition, carbon capture, and renewable energy in response to global warming, including the launch of Cairns Org's significant program in regenerative agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity in Ghana and Scotland.

He served as President of the International Professional Association for Environmental Affairs (IPRE) in Brussels (Club of Rome) from 1992-94 and has been Chairman of ICOE. He edited "North Sea Oil and the Environment: Environmental Impacts and Responses" published by Elsevier. He was Chairman of the Standing Committee for Environment of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and Rapporteur General for the 26th World Congress on Cities and Environment in Warsaw, 1990. He is also a member of the International University for the Bio-Environment in Athens, Greece, and served on the Government of Canada Steering Committee for the Globe 90s series.

William Cairns has received numerous awards, including the Financial Times Architecture Award for Megget Reservoir in 1986, and the BBC & Design Council Awards in 1987. He won the RSA Civic Trust Jubilee Premier Award and the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland (APRS) Award for Flotta Oil Terminal, Orkney, in 1983. He co-founded the International Council on Oil and the Environment (ICOE) with Sir Alastair Dunnett in 1978 and organized the first conference on North Sea Oil and Gas and the Environment in Edinburgh in 1980, jointly sponsored by ICOE and the Norwegian Petroleum Association (NDF).

KWASI AMPONSAH BOATENG

Director, Cairns-org (Ghana)

Experienced Social Performance and Public Affairs practitioner with 25+ years in international development, creating markets, specialized in natural resource and infrastructure industries. Skilled in benefit sharing innovation, risk anticipation & management, oil, gas & mining, creative partnerships, sustainable development and reputation management. Clients include Newmont Gold Corp, Tullow Oil Plc, Kosmos Energy, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and International Finance Corporation.

I have a track record working in the private, public and community sectors. I have developed people, design and project management skills over thirty years. I am an accomplished government relations practitioner. In my past and current roles my work focused on partnering communities, local, central government and development agencies to achieved balanced outcomes for business and associated parties.

CHARLES EVANS-ANFOM

Director, Finance & Business Development, Cairns-org (Ghana)

Mr. Evans-Anfom is a Financial Executive with over 32 years of experience as a Consultant, Financial Manager, Controller and Analyst in Industry Leading Organizations. He has diverse and extensive experience with particular emphasis on accounting, auditing, financial management, business and strategic planning, business development, process improvement, and quality management processes.Mr.Evans-Anfom spent the earlier part of his career with Corning Incorporated (The World’s largest producer of Optical Fiber and a leading Glass Technology firm). He served on management teams which played key roles in driving significant improvements in cost, quality, and customer service. Mr Evans-Anfom also worked with The World Bank Group in Washington, DC, where he was responsible for the Resource Management function of key business units in the world’s pre-eminent development institution.His International experience includes dealing with businesses in various countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia, although his focus more recently has been on business development and project financing in both the private and public sectors for emerging markets, primarily in Africa.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG

Director, Carbon Management Division and Board Member of ETML, Edinburgh, Scotland

A First Class Honours Graduate in Agriculture, Newcastle University and from a farming background in Northern Ireland, Douglas has extensive global experience in the agriculture and food industry at a senior level. He has farmed in several parts of the world (US, Indonesia, Ireland, Scotland) and has been at the cutting edge of global agriculture and food technology for his whole career. Starting by managing one of the largest agricultural businesses in the UK, Douglas has led many businesses and pioneered techniques and processes in a broad range of sectors (arable, dairy, sheep, nutraceuticals, and microwave processing) many of which are now the industry norm. Douglas is passionate about developing systems that are not only sustainable and more respectful of the environment and animal welfare, but that also maintain the functional components of food.

Douglas has been the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) IceRobotics Ltd since 2016 and helped successfully sell the business in 2022. IceRobotics pioneered the use of 3D accelerometer sensing, cloud-based systems, and artificial intelligence in the management of dairy cows. Working with over 100 universities and leading the field of digital animal health the company developed several unique farm-based tools like lameness detection and fertility management which are major steps forward in, efficiency, carbon reduction, welfare improvement, medicine reduction and supply chain transparency. The collected information also provides farmers with a rich source of phenotypic data for breeding decisions which in association with relevant meta data, integration with other farm-based sources of data and the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) provides a unique platform to create the insights that allow the “real time” management of animals.

In his various roles Douglas has initiated and led numerous successful commercial projects around the world in many sectors of the food industry and supply chain including projects with Aurora Organic Dairies, Muller, Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury, Two Sisters Food Group, Bakkavor, Marlow foods, Delmonte, Linden foods, ABP, EPC Group, Gerber Juice, Moy Park, Moredun, AFBI, Dairy NZ, Cancer Research UK.

Douglas is a keen sailor and is a commercially endorsed Ocean Master and instructor. He has sailed in many parts of the world including one Atlantic crossing and three Bay of Biscay crossings. He has won numerous offshore races including the Glasgow to Brest race and the Banff to Stavanger race. He spends much of his spare time exploring Orkney and sailing around the islands on the west coast of Scotland.

He lives with his wife in Dunblane along with four horses, three dogs, and four cats.

He joined Cairns Org in 2022 as a Principal Consultant in Agriculture related to the acceleration of carbon management and soil quality towards reaching certifiable net zero targets.

SARAH ESSIE ZIDDAH

Associate, Cairns-org Ghana

Sarah Essie Ziddah is a highly skilled Real Estate Professional and a Chartered Surveyor with over 25 years of experience in the property industry in Ghana. Her career has evolved into a strong commitment to integrating sustainable practices into real estate, construction, and infrastructure projects. Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge in operations, project management, and consulting, with a particular focus on enhancing environmental performance and achieving green building certifications. Sarah’s extensive experience and dedication to sustainability make her a valuable consultant for organizations seeking to enhance their environmental performance and integrate sustainable practices into their operations.

Knowledge areas include:

Sustainable Development: Expertise in developing and implementing sustainable practices across various projects, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and promoting green building standards.
Project Management: Proven track record in managing large-scale projects, from conception through completion, with an emphasis on sustainability and operational efficiency.
Green Building Certification: Experience in initiating and coordinating processes for obtaining green building certification (LEED for communities and Edge Certifications).
Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and community groups, to promote sustainable practices and achieve project goals.

CAIRNS ORG GHANA