Hannah Forster is the Executive Director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), based in Banjul, The Gambia. A regional organization originally created by the Government of The Gambia in 1989, the Centre became independent, with its own statutes and international Governing Council, in 1995.

A social scientist, Mrs. Forster has worked for the Centre for almost two decades and was appointed in 2001 as its Executive Director. She is responsible for the general direction of the ACDHRS.

In addition to serving on the Steering Committee of many civil society organizations, Mrs. Forster is the current Chairperson of the African Democracy Forum and Member of the Working Group on Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.