UPDATE 1-Keegan Resources names new president and CEO

* Says Maurice Tagami named president and CEO

* Says Tagami to replace Dan McCoy, who remains a director

TORONTO, April 16 (Reuters) - Keegan Resources Inc (KGN.TO) said on Friday that Maurice Tagami has been named president and chief executive officer of the gold exploration company, replacing Dan McCoy, who has resigned from these positions.

McCoy will remain a director and the chief geologist of Keegan Resources, the Vancouver, British Columbia-based company said in a statement.

The company said the management shuffle reflects its current evolution from an exploration to a development focus.

Tagami has almost three decades of experience in mine development and operations and has played a project management role in numerous open pit, underground and heap leach projects across the world, said the company.

Keegan Resources is focused on developing its flagship Esaase gold project in in Ghana. (Reporting by Euan Rocha, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)