Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, former Vice-Chancellor has received an honorary doctorate degree (Degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa) from University of Sussex at a Congregation ceremony which took place this week.  

The award is in recognition of his contribution to the study of African Economies. 

A Professor of Economics, Ernest Aryeetey became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana in 2010, ending his tenure at the end of July 2016.   He is currently the Secretary-General of the continental research body, African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA).

Previously he was Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research of the University of Ghana. 

Prof. Ernest 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.  Prof. 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.  Prof. 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.

Prof. Ernest Aryeetey with members of the Platform Party after the award ceremony