Levinia Addae-Mensah is a seasoned Peace, Security, Governance, and Development practitioner with over 30 years of experience. She is currently the Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), leading the organization since September 2024 and providing strategic direction for peace and security initiatives across West Africa. Levinia served as WANEP’s Programme Director for nearly a decade prior to becoming the Executive Director and previously held senior leadership roles at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), including being the first female Director with responsibility for the Centre’s Strategic Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Department.

Her career also includes work with International Alert in the UK, contributions to peace processes and dialogue initiatives across Africa, and extensive support to intergovernmental, government, and civil society institutions. Her thematic expertise spans Preventing Violent Extremism, Democracy and Governance, Security Sector Governance, Gender, Youth, Dialogue, and Mediation, with hands-on experience in complex environments such as Burundi, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia.