Ernest Aryeetey

A Professor of Economics, Dr. Aryeetey became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana in 2010.  Previously he was Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research of the University of Ghana.  Dr. Aryeetey’s research focuses on the economics of development with interest in institutions and their role in development, regional integration, economic reforms, financial systems in support of development and small enterprise development.  He is well known for his work on informal finance and microfinance in Africa.  He has consulted for and advises a broad range of international agencies.  Aryeetey has published three books, seven edited volumes, and numerous journal articles.  Among his publications are Financial Integration and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa and Economic Reforms in Ghana:  the Miracle and the Mirage.  He directed the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative (2009-10) and continues as a non-resident Senior Fellow at Brookings.  Dr. Aryeetey has held academic appointments at University of London, Yale, Cornell and Swarthmore.  He obtained a doctorate for his work in Political Economy from the University of Dortmund, Germany in 1985.

One of Vice-Chancellor Aryeetey’s strategic priorities at the University of Ghana is to develop the University into a research institution that supports structural transformation in Ghana and in Africa.  Therefore, he and his colleagues are building research programs that aim to both advance knowledge and to promote national development.  In addition, the University of Ghana supports community service learning and a wide range of student volunteer programs.