Aku is a health systems researcher. Her work has focused on applying complexity theory to health systems governance, management and leadership. She is particularly interested in district health systems, as well as learning and mentorship in health policy and systems research (HPSR). She leads the Alliance’s portfolios on systems thinking and capacity strengthening for the conduct of HPSR.

Aku holds degrees from the University of Toronto, Kings College London, and Wageningen University. She is a Next Einstein Fellow, a commissioner on the WHO-UNICEF-Lancet Commission A future for the world’s children?, a working group member for Children in all Policies 2030, and a former Board member of Health Systems Global. Aku is from Ghana.