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Opare Kwafo

me

About Me!

Where people get lost in vast amounts of information, that is where I shine. I effortlessly identify patterns, spot anomalies, and identify gaps in information. As a data analyst, I streamline and condense information while preserving meaning and ensuring that it’s precisely tailored for easy comprehension and sharing. By communicating insights clearly, enhancing processes, and eliminating inefficiencies, I actively contribute to driving business progress. People love me not only for the knowledge I share but also for how I do it. I do so in a way that the recipient is empowered to apply what they just learned because I tell it like a story.

As a Data Simplifier, I can filter out irrelevant aspects of the data. For a company, this means improved data quality, time-saving, and enhanced insights. As an Analytical Storyteller, I'm good at finding information and pulling it out of data. What that means for a company is that decision-makers can make good decisions based on my meaningful insights. As a Process Mapper, I can look at the flow of data and its interactions and document it in sequential steps. This translates to removing inefficiencies and process improvements.

I value simplicity, sharing information, continuous learning, and empowering people to make great decisions. At heart, what I really am is a Creative Playmaker which is my natural position in soccer. I'm the one with the big-picture vision that looks at everything on the field, identifies gaps in the opponent's defense amidst the chaos, and decides what to do to move the play forward. Similarly, I help a business move forward by looking for places where things are missing and translating them into easily understood information to allow effective decision-making.

Education

Diploma (Data Science), January 2023 - June 2023

Concordia University, Montreal

Major Courses:

Data Visualizations, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modelling, Machine Learning, Big Data Applications

Master of Arts (Applied Economics), 2015 - 2016

University of Winnipeg, Manitoba

  • cumulative GPA:3.94/4.50

Major Courses:

Applied Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Linear Algebra

Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Geography and Resource Development), 2009 - 2013

University of Ghana, Accra

Cumulative GPA: 3.68/4.00

Major Courses:

Applied Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Cost Benefit Analysis, Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics

Work Experience

Fraud Analyst, Alberta Central

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

June 2023 - Present

  • Contributed significantly to fraud reduction related to Interac payment by analyzing and blocking suspicious financial transactions.
  • Help credit unions assess the effectiveness of their fraud prevention measures by producing operational metrics and reports.
  • Maintain a database and convey monthly fraud statistics to various entities to help with strategic decision making.
  • Conduct data analysis to identify anomalies, trends, or patterns indicative of fraudulent behavior to help credit unions monitor suspicious activities or accounts.

Trust Compliance Officer, Canada Revenue Agency

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

February 2022 - December 2022

  • Evaluate, review, and analyze payroll source deductions data to detect sources of non-compliance.
  • Update taxpayers’ information and findings in appropriate databases.
  • Helped minimized revenue loss to the government by exceeding daily and weekly targets.
  • Contributed to a stellar reputation for CRA by being empathetic yet assertive in my communications.

Identity Protection officer, Canada Revenue Agency

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

February 2022 - June 2022

  • Compiling and analyzing taxpayers’ information to determine eligibility for emergency benefits.
  • Retrieving and updating taxpayers’ information in databases while maintaining data integrity.
  • Generating reports of my analysis of information for effective decision-making by senior management.
  • Helped minimize fraud by spotting anomalies in taxpayers’ information and securing accounts.

Member Contact Center Representative, Steinbach Credit Union

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

July 2022 - February 2022

  • Finding, verifying, and updating clients’ banking information in appropriate databases.
  • Analyze client information and account activity to determine creditworthiness to approve credits.
  • Helped reduced wait times significantly by exceeding call response volumes.
  • Collect data from victims of online fraud, analyze the extent of the impact, and secure accounts

Teller, Steinbach Credit Union

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

March 2019 - June 2022

  • Recording customer transaction data into the bank’s computer system
  • Monitoring and reporting cash levels to ensure that is enough cash on hand to meet demand.
  • Increased business revenue by spotting trends in clients’ activities and conducting need-based sales
  • Reduced the need for additional staffing by multitasking as a Teller and Contact Center representative

Member Service Representative II, Westoba Credit Union

The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

December 2017 - January 2019

  • Updating customer information in the bank’s database and recording transaction data accurately.
  • Preparing reports of unusual transactions for senior management to make informed decisions.
  • Saved the branch money by multitasking as a data entry support for the financial advisors
  • Contributed to team efficiency by condensing complex procedure manuals for quick reference
  • Increased business revenue by selling the highest number of credit cards in the branch

Skills Summary

General Skills

  • Data Visualization
  • Machine Learning
  • Data Preparation
  • Data Analysis
  • Statistical Analysis Technical Skills
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Spreadsheet Modelling
  • Bilingual: Fluent English, Conversational French

Technical Skills

  • Programming Languages: Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, VBA
  • Other Tools: Microsoft Office (including Visio, Project, and Access), Power BI, JIRA ITOM

Professional Development

Microsoft Power BI Analyst by Microsoft on Coursera, Certificate earned on December 2023

IBM Data Science by IBM on Coursera, Certificate earned on February 01, 2024

Hobbies and Interests

Outside of work hours, you will find me on the soccer pitch (indoor or outdoor) playing midfield. Besides the physical exercise that comes with it, I get to improve my ability to think on my feet and make quick decisions under pressure. I like finding or creating gaps in the opposition’s defense to help my team get a goal and win games. If I am not on the pitch, you’ll find me watching crime shows/documentaries. I love Forensic Files and FBI Files. I think I have run out of episodes. If you have any recommendations, please give them to me.