Mr. Chrisentus Bangkewa KUUNIFAA
Mr. Chrisentus Bangkewa KUUNIFAA
With over 16 years of experience, Mr. Chrisentus Bangkewa Kuunifaa has significantly contributed to Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) initiatives at Bui Power Authority (BPA) through various key positions.
Mr. Kuunifaa’s impressive career in Ghana’s power sector began in 2007 as a National Service Person at the Volta River Authority (VRA). He joined BPA as an Environmentalist in May 2009, overseeing environmental, public health, and social impact mitigation during the Bui Hydroelectric Project and its associated transmission lines. He has since coordinated the registration and preparation of numerous Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Preliminary Environmental Reports (PERs), and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for various projects. Notably, he played a key role in developing the HSSE Manual for Ghana’s energy sector in 2019.
Over the years, Mr. Kuunifaa’s roles at BPA have evolved: he became Manager of Natural Resources in 2014, Manager of HSE in 2018, Senior Manager of HSE in 2019, and Deputy Director of OHSE in 2021. His dedication led to the deployment of a National Security Detachment at the Bui Generating Station (BGS) in 2014, where he also served as a liaison. He has been instrumental in acquiring statutory permits and certificates and has significantly contributed to climate change mitigation and reforestation efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he championed proactive measures and strategies that resulted in low local transmission of the virus within BPA.
Mr. Kuunifaa also worked closely with the CEO to provide 24-hour primary health care, establish a fire station, and deploy Ghana National Fire Service personnel at the BGS to protect lives and property.
He is a PhD candidate in Sustainable Energy Management at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani. He holds an MSc in Environmental Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management from GIMI in Israel, and a BSc in Agriculture Technology/Renewable Natural Resources from the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale. His secondary education was completed at Notre Dame Seminary Secondary School in Navrongo.
Mr. Kuunifaa has continuously enhanced his expertise through various local and foreign training courses, workshops, and conferences related to health, safety, and environmental aspects. He is a member of the Ghana Institute of Safety and Environmental Professionals and the International Association for Impact Assessment – Ghana.
His meticulous approach, versatility, and commitment to HSSE issues make him a valuable asset in Ghana’s power sector. His outstanding performance has earned him two prestigious awards at the Health, Environment, Safety and Security (HESS) Awards: HESS Manager of the Year 2021 and HESS Personality of the Year 2023 in Ghana.