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John de Graft-Johnson, MD, FACS

John B. de Graft-Johnson, MD, FACS, is a board-certified cardiothoracic and general surgeon who currently serves as Chief, Chairman, and Director of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Doctors Medical Center and First Choice Physician Partners in Modesto, California.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Prairie View A&M University in 1992 and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1996 and completed his general surgery training at New York Methodist and Presbyterian Hospital.

He subsequently pursued a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Heart, Lung & Esophageal Surgery Institute and went on to hold leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente, including Assistant Chief of Surgery and Director of Thoracic and Minimally Invasive Surgery. Dr. de Graft-Johnson is credited with performing the first multi-vessel robotic coronary artery bypass in California and has also been recognized for pioneering minimally invasive thoracic procedures at Kaiser Permanente, including the first minimally invasive esophagectomy, endobronchial ultrasound and biopsy, and bronchothermoplasty within that system.

A former Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Medical Corps, he served as a ship’s general surgeon and battalion surgeon with multiple Marine units, including combat ground deployments in Iraq and participation in the Kosovo conflict.

He is dual board certified by the American Board of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, holds medical licenses in California and Virginia, and has contributed to the literature with peer-reviewed publications on aortic valve and root disease, complications of thoracic surgery, and complex vascular pathology, while maintaining active membership in the American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Society of Black Academic Surgeons, National Medical Association, and the Ghanaian Society of Physicians and Surgeons.

John Aryeetey

John Aryeetey is a senior data quality and analytics professional with extensive experience supporting enterprise healthcare systems, digital platforms, and operational workflows. He brings more than a decade of technical expertise spanning data analytics, business intelligence, application support, and web development, with a strong record of improving system reliability, data integrity, and organizational efficiency.

John currently serves as a Senior Data Quality Analyst in the Digital Payer Operations department at Mass General Brigham, one of the world’s leading academic healthcare systems and a global authority in medical research, patient care, and digital health innovation. In this role, he supports mission‑critical healthcare payer applications that power claims processing, eligibility, enrollment, and financial operations across a high‑volume, highly regulated environment.

With a strong foundation in database development, data validation, quality assurance, and business intelligence tools, John has led initiatives that improved data accuracy, enhanced reporting efficiency, and optimized system performance across multiple organizations. His background also includes hands‑on experience in web development and digital platform maintenance, enabling him to bridge technical systems with user‑focused design and operational needs

John serves on the AACS Board of Advisors, where he provides strategic guidance on digital infrastructure, data‑driven decision‑making, and technology modernization.

Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu, Esq

Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu (Mrs.), Esq., is a Board Member of Advance-Africa Commercial Solutions, Inc., where she serves as Chief Compliance Officer.

Nana is a highly distinguished legal professional and an accomplished academic, bringing a comprehensive blend of expertise to her diverse engagements.

Nana's extensive career in law and education includes a significant tenure as a respected lecturer at the esteemed Ghana School of Law. Currently, she holds the critical role of Executive Director at the Institute for Law & Development (ILAD), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing legal understanding and promoting sustainable development initiatives within the community.

Further showcasing her profound legal expertise, she also serves as a Senior Consultant, on a part-time basis, at ALC Law Consult, a prominent and well-regarded law firm situated in Accra. Her significant intellectual contributions to legal scholarship are underscored by her authorship of the authoritative publication, "Concise Law of Banking". Beyond her formidable professional achievements, Nana is also deeply committed to spiritual leadership and community service. She is an ordained minister of the gospel, having successfully completed her comprehensive ministerial training and subsequent ordination at Manna Mission Church. Her unwavering dedication to youth empowerment and spiritual guidance is powerfully demonstrated through her leadership as President of Hope Agape Ministry. This impactful non-profit organization is specifically focused on nurturing the next generation through targeted programs in youth evangelism, holistic training, and comprehensive personal development.

This extensive background unequivocally highlights Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu's multifaceted contributions across the legal, academic, and spiritual spheres.

Sharon A. Richardson, PhD

Sharon A. Richardson, PhD., is a Board Member of Advance-Africa Commercial Solutions, Inc, where she serves as Secretary. Dr. Richardson is a distinguished leader and strategist within the pharmaceutical industry, bringing in over two and a half decades of unparalleled experience in propelling product value, optimizing market access, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. As a valued member of the Board of Directors for Advance Africa Commercial Solutions Inc., she also serves as the Secretary of the Board, lending her profound expertise to strategic governance and operational excellence.

Throughout her extensive career, Dr. Richardson has been instrumental in conceiving and executing visionary strategic pathways. Her work consistently elevates the stature of medical affairs, fosters dynamic scientific exchange, and fortifies engagement with critical healthcare stakeholders across the ecosystem.

Renowned for her inspirational and transformative leadership, Dr. Richardson possesses an exceptional talent for cultivating diverse, collaborative, and exceptionally high-performing teams. Under her guidance, these teams consistently surpass organizational objectives, driven by a shared commitment to innovation and impact. Furthermore, her dedication extends to fostering operational excellence, integrating cutting-edge technology and data-centric methodologies to streamline complex processes.

Beyond her pivotal role at Advance Africa Commercial Solutions Inc., Dr. Richardson also contributes her expertise as a valued member of the Board of Directors for the National Bleeding Disorder Foundation, Inc. In this capacity, she acts as a crucial liaison to the Advancement Committee, Research Committee, and the Pathway to Cures Philanthropy Organization, demonstrating her broad commitment to public health and scientific advancement.

Academically, Dr. Richardson holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Howard University, Washington, D.C., complementing her Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Her foundational knowledge was established with a Bachelor of Science in Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut. Her scholarly contributions further underscore her commitment to scientific advancement, including numerous impactful publications focused on critical areas such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Hemophilia.

Kenneth Heyward

Kenneth Heyward, MBA, is a Board Member of Advance-Africa Commercial Solutions, Inc, where he serves as Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer.

As a leader in Healthcare Procurement, Kenneth is dedicated to driving transformative changes and securing a decisive competitive advantage within dynamic market landscapes. His expertise is in orchestrating strategies that not only deliver substantial and sustainable improvements in cost efficiency and supply chain reliability but also foster groundbreaking innovation. He leverages a comprehensive understanding of both top-line revenue generation and bottom-line optimization to cultivate proprietary market positioning and establish strategic pricing advantages. Kenneth approach is characterized by a proactive vigilance towards evolving market dynamics and shifting consumer demands, utilizing cutting-edge technologies and robust relationships to consistently surpass industry benchmarks and outpace rival organizations.

By fostering deep collaboration with strategic partners, Kenneth consistently unlocks new revenue streams and maximizes overall profitability through co-creation and shared growth. He excels at cultivating and sustaining pivotal Strategic Alliances, building expansive networks founded on trust and mutual benefit.
Kenneth academic foundation includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts (MA) in Finance from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Carolina. This multidisciplinary background underpins his ability to approach complex challenges with both strategic business acumen and rigorous technical understanding.

Abdul Bigirumwami

Abdul Bigirumwami is a Board Member of Advance-Africa Commercial Solutions Inc. where he serves as Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer.

Abdul is an accomplished executive with a career spanning over three decades within the Aerospace and Defense sector. Abdul's extensive global tenure has honed his expertise across critical domains including advanced engineering methodologies, strategic business development, complex project management, and streamlined operational oversight. He is particularly recognized as a leading specialist in aviation, encompassing comprehensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations.

Beyond his corporate leadership, Abdul demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable development as a Co-founder, Chief Commercial Officer and Board Member of Advance Africa Commercial Solutions.. In this capacity, he actively champions initiatives promoting Net Zero emissions and the widespread adoption of green energy through innovative, optimal solutions on a global scale.

His impressive background is further distinguished by a track record of extensive financial, operational, and strategic leadership, successfully navigating diverse and complex markets throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Abdul's comprehensive profile underscores his capacity to drive impact significantly and foster sustainable growth in highly specialized global industries.

William Asihene, MD, PhD, FACS

William Y. N. Asihene serves as the distinguished Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advance Africa Commercial Solutions Inc., where he also holds a pivotal position on the Board of Directors.

A highly accomplished and board-certified General Surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Dr. Asihene brings an extraordinary depth of experience, spanning more than two and a half decades in the practice of general surgery. He holds medical licenses in Illinois and North Carolina.

His extensive clinical career includes tenures as an Attending General Surgeon in a diverse array of esteemed community and tertiary hospitals. Noteworthy institutions where he has applied his expertise include New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Lexington Medical Center-Wake Forest Baptist Health, Northwestern Medicine, and the Unity Point Health Wound Care Center, among others.

Dr. Asihene is a member of American Medical Association (AMA), Ghana Physician and Surgeons Foundation of North America and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). This breadth of experience underscores his comprehensive understanding of patient care and medical administration.

Beyond his impressive medical career, Dr. Asihene is profoundly dedicated to pioneering transformative, ethical, and authentic leadership across Africa. He is passionately committed to driving sustainable development, formulating innovative solutions for wealth creation, enhancing access to high-quality healthcare, and championing the advancement of renewable energy initiatives throughout Ghana and the broader Sub-Saharan African region.

Dr. Asihene's formidable academic foundation includes a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry from Howard University in Washington, DC.

His foundational scientific education was established with a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Biochemistry-Chemistry from the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. This unique blend of advanced clinical and scientific credentials underpins his analytical prowess and strategic vision.

Advance-Africa Commercial Solutions

OUR MISSION

Why Ghana?

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

William Asihene, MD, PhD, FACS

Kenneth Heyward, MBA

Sharon A. Richardson, PhD

Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu, Esq

Abdul Bigirumwami

BOARD OF ADVISORS

John Aryeetey

John deGraft-Johnson, MD, FACS

CONTACT US

John de Graft-Johnson, MD, FACS

John Aryeetey

Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu, Esq

Sharon A. Richardson, PhD

Kenneth Heyward

Abdul Bigirumwami

William Asihene, MD, PhD, FACS