Adiza Ama Owusu

Adiza Ama Owusu Aduomih is the Program Manager and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Team Lead at Hen Mpoano. With extensive experience in coastal resource management, gender integration, and community development, she plays a central role in advancing gender equality and inclusive governance within Ghana’s fisheries sector.

Adiza is a passionate development practitioner dedicated to empowering women and marginalized groups in natural resource management. Her work focuses on promoting women’s economic resilience, fostering their active participation in decision-making, and ensuring equitable access to livelihood opportunities across the fisheries value chain.

As Project Manager for the EU-funded Women in Fisheries Against Violence (WiFVEs) project, Adiza has been instrumental in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in coastal communities. Under her leadership, the project has increased awareness on GBV, built the capacity of both women and men, and established Circles of Support Groups that offer psychosocial and economic assistance to survivors. These efforts have significantly strengthened local GBV prevention and response systems, helping women in fisheries access justice, financial independence, and safer work environments.

Beyond GBV prevention, Adiza has championed women’s economic empowerment through initiatives such as the formation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). These groups equip women with financial literacy, business management training, and access to start-up capital for alternative livelihoods—enhancing their autonomy and capacity to overcome economic dependency.

In her role as GESI Lead for the USAID-funded Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA), Adiza collaborates with government institutions, civil society organizations, and fisherfolk associations to mainstream gender in fisheries governance frameworks and practices.

Adiza holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the University of Rhode Island, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Science from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. She has also received specialized training in women’s leadership in conservation, ocean literacy, and child protection in fisheries, equipping her with a strong interdisciplinary foundation to lead gender-responsive environmental initiatives.