Ismail Akwei is a highly accomplished digital media specialist, media viability consultant, broadcast and digital journalist, media trainer, product manager, editor, writer, and media manager with over a decade’s worth of experience working with multinational media companies across Africa.

Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Media Literacy Development Foundation, Ismail Akwei founded the non-profit organization out of his passion for media literacy and community development. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing media and artificial intelligence literacy education and skills in Ghana.

As the Co-Founder of AfricaMediaPro, Ismail Akwei plays a pivotal role in the digital solutions company that provides advanced publishing and advertising services to online publishers and content creators in Africa. He also founded AMV Africa, a media viability, events, and tourism consultancy that implements high-quality strategies for global clients. Notably, he has successfully streamlined business processes and workflows for clients such as FactSpace West Africa.

Previously, Ismail Akwei served as the Editor-in-Chief of the AfricaWeb group, where he oversaw the editorial direction, media partnerships, and digital products of prominent platforms such as GhanaWeb.com, CamerounWeb.com, TanzaniaWeb.com, and MyNigeria.com.

During his tenure, he led a transformative shift in news and content production at GhanaWeb and played a key role in creating the annual GhanaWeb Excellence Awards in 2021 to recognize excellence in Ghana. Under his leadership, GhanaWeb received accolades such as the Best Online Portal award at the Ghana Election Coverage Awards 2020 and the GACA Excellence in Digital Media 2021 award for its commitment to the growth of the creative arts sector.

A true innovator, Ismail Akwei developed and hosted numerous programmes, including the sociopolitical talk show “The Lowdown,” which aired on GhanaWeb TV. He also fostered over 80 editorial partnerships with local and international media outlets, including the BBC, on behalf of the AfricaWeb platforms.

Prior to his involvement with AfricaWeb, Ismail Akwei held prestigious roles, including serving as the editor of the New York-based Pan-African online portal, Face2FaceAfrica.com. He also worked as a senior journalist and television presenter at Africanews, a subsidiary of France-based Euronews.

With a solid journalistic foundation, Ismail Akwei’s experience spans from his early roles at Ghana’s Information Services Department (ISD), the Ghana News Agency (GNA), and the University of Ghana’s campus radio station, Radio Univers. He has excelled in various roles, progressing from a reporter to an editor-in-chief.

Ismail Akwei further demonstrated his pioneering spirit by accepting a position in the Republic of Congo, where he played a crucial role in developing an online strategy as a senior web journalist for the newly launched Africanews. His efforts contributed to the brand’s widespread acceptance, particularly in Anglophone countries. Furthermore, he served as the pioneering presenter of “Sci-Tech,” a science and technology segment on the flagship morning show of Africanews TV, “The Morning Call.”

Upon joining Face2Face Africa as the editor, Ismail Akwei facilitated the company’s ascent to become the principal source of Pan-African history and culture stories. His innovative strategies provided the brand with a competitive edge over other Pan-African news and culture websites.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ismail Akwei is dedicated to mentorship and inspiring young talents. In 2019, he founded Zongo Media and the Junior Journalists and Communicators Club (J2C2) as initiatives under the Media Literacy Development Foundation. Zongo Media aims to equip Zongo youth with media literacy and entrepreneurial skills, while J2C2 empowers high school students to develop their journalism and communication skills.

Furthermore, Ismail Akwei founded the professional networking organisation Ghana Media Club, a platform for journalists and media practitioners in Ghana to discover opportunities and stay updated on the latest trends and insider information. He also founded the Ghana Tourism Club, an association of travel and tourism enthusiasts based on campuses, with the aim of promoting Ghana by exploring sites and sharing experiences with the world.

Ismail Akwei’s extensive writing covers a wide range of topics, including African and international politics, arts, culture, tourism, human rights, Pan-Africanism, digital technology, history, and international relations. He has covered elections across Africa, including those in The Gambia, Ghana, Somalia, Somaliland, Kenya, Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Cape Verde, and Seychelles.

He has been featured on programmes, podcasts, and articles by influential international media platforms such as the BBC, Newzroom Afrika, The Guardian, RT, Africanews, Euronews, KCRW Radio, and Cape Talk Radio, among others.

As a speaker and panellist, Ismail Akwei has participated in events and conferences on digital journalism, media freedom, fake news, and blogging. Some of the notable events and conferences where he has shared his expertise include the Media Foundation for West Africa’s WAMECA 2019, the annual Ghana Bloggers Summit (where he has been a speaker since 2019), and the 2022 YouTube Creators Festival Ghana.

He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Media Management from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Ghana, and a Diploma in Communication Studies from the African University College of Communications (AUCC). Additionally, Ismail Akwei has earned several certificates from various institutions, further enhancing his knowledge and skills.

As an active member of professional and social groups, Ismail Akwei is affiliated with organizations such as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Online News Association (ONA), and the Internet Society, among others.

With his unwavering dedication, strategic vision, and commitment to transformative leadership, Ismail Akwei continues to make significant contributions to reshaping the African media landscape into a globally recognized and competitive brand. His ultimate goal is to change the African narrative and project a positive image of Africa and its global diaspora.

Marc started his career as a tax lawyer with Loyens & Volkmaars in New York. Afterward, he joined Unilever where held different positions in the field of finance. Always inspired by the marketing and advertising business Marc joined Y&R where he headed the media agency MEC, currently called Wavemaker. In 2003, MEC was awarded as media agency of the year in the Netherlands. He was one of the founders of GroupM in the Netherlands, nowadays the biggest media buyer in the world under the umbrella of marketing giant WPP. He also held a position in the EMEA board of MEC. Later he became CEO of Kobalt, a media agency owned by some of the Netherlands’ big advertisers.  In those years Marc was listed in several top rankings, as the 40 most influential persons under 40 of M&M Magazine, the 50 most influential persons under 40 by Esquire magazine and the 100 most influential people in the Netherlands by Quote Magazine.

After his time with media agencies, Marc worked as the commercial member of the board of the European media company Sanoma/SBS and was responsible for all B2B revenue. He led the transformational commercial strategy from “Space to Solutions”, a strategy to offer a more solution based portfolio to advertisers going beyond the sale of display advertising. With the strategy came an industry based approach, Ecommerce activities, marketing partnerships (including content marketing and commercial content production), performance partnerships (buying CPM and selling CPC or CPS) and one desk for offering all media types.

After his tenure with Sanoma/SBS Marc has been active as an entrepreneur and investor in media, technology and related companies.

He is co-founder of Africa Business Communities, Africa Influencer Agency, Age Africa Agency and AfricaWeb (a leading online publisher in some countries in Africa among which GhanaWeb, the biggest site of the country). He sold his position in AfricaWeb and added AfricaMediaPro as a new initiative to support publishers to become more successful online. AfricaMediaPro works together with Age Africa Agency, Africa Business Communities  and Africa Influencer Agency

Joost excels in optimisation for publishers, ranging from increase of Revenue via optimised monetisation strategies, to increase in organic growth via technical SEO strategies.