Joyce Aryee

Joyce Rosalind Aryee (born 27 March 1947) is a Ghanaian former politician, business executive and minister. Aryee is recognized for having served Ghana for more than 40 years in both the public and private sectors.[1] From 2001 to 2011, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines[2][3] and was the first woman in Africa to have held that role. She has also held political roles in Ghana from the early years of the PNDC government. She is currently the Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries, a para-church organization.[4] She is an Honorary Council Member of the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors.[5]

Joyce Rosalind Aryee
Chief Executive Officer Ghana Chamber of Mines
In office 2001–2011
Minister for Local Government
In office 1987–1988
President	Jerry John Rawlings
Minister for Education
In office 1985–1987
President	Jerry John Rawlings
Minister for Information
In office 1982–1985
President	Jerry John Rawlings
Personal details
Born	27 March 1947
Nationality	Ghanaian
Spouse(s)	Charles Wereko-Brobby (divorced)
Children	1 child
Alma mater	Achimota School University of Ghana
Profession	Politician Business Executive Minister
Website	Salt and Light Ministries

Early life and education

Born to a Fante mother and a Ga father, Joyce is the second of four children.[6] During her early years, she lived with her family in North Suntreso, Kumasi where she started her early years of education at Methodist Primary School and Methodist Middle School. She later went to Achimota School and graduated in 1969 from the University of Ghana, Legon with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in English.[7]

She was formerly married to Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby.[8]

Career

Early career

During her study in University of Ghana, she took a job (during holidays) at West Africa Examination Council in the Test Development and Research Office (TDRO). Also, she worked at the Ghana Museums and Monument Board with the administration. From 1976 to 1981, she worked as a Public Relations Officer at the then newly established Environmental Protection Council. Later moved to the Ghana Standards Board (currently Ghana Standards Authority) as Public Relations Officer. [7]

Political career

From 1982 to 1985 Aryee was appointed by ex-president of Ghana Jerry John Rawlings as the secretary of information for the PNDC.[9] From 1985 to 1987 she was Minister of Education, and in 1987–88 Minister of Local Government. From 1988 to 2001 she was Minister of Democracy in the Office of the Prime Minister, and from 1993 to 2001 a Member of the National Defence Council.[10]

Salt & Light Ministries

Aryee is the founder and currently executive director of Salt & Light Ministries, a para-church organization. She also runs the Joyce Aryee Consult, which focuses in the areas of Management and Communications. She serves as a board member on several boards such as the Kinross Chirano Gold Mine Ghana board, the Mentoring Women Ghana board, and the Roman Ridge School Academic board.[11]

Aryee serves as the chair of Harmonious Chorale, a music group in Ghana.[12]She is the founder of the Salt and Light Ministries, a ministry set to encourage and motivate the Body of Christ.[13] Aryee is also the First Patron Extraordinaire of the Accra Mining Network.

Awards and honors

Aryee was given the Second Highest State Award, the Companion of the Order of the Volta in 2006 in recognition of her service to the nation. She is also the recipient of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), Marketing Woman of the Year Award for 2007 and the African Leadership on Centre for Economic Development's African Female Business Leader of the Year Award for 2009.[14][15][16]

She was also awarded in 2012 with the Honorary Award of the Year 2012, as well as one of the pioneers and pillars of gospel music, at the Adom FM Ghana Gospel Industry Awards (GGIA) (2nd Edition).[17]

Joyce Aryee was also honored in mining and public service at the maiden edition of the Women in Excellence award in 2011 and was nominated as the “2011 Woman of the Year” by the American Biographical Institute (ABI). She was the first female to receive the Inspirational Woman Award at the Ghana UK Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards 2015 for creating change, which paved the way for women. Again, she won an award as the Public Relations Personality of the Year 2014 by the Institute of Public Relations Ghana and was mentioned in the list of 100 Global Inspiration Women in Mining in the world.[18]

Aryee is an Honorary Fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineers and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Mines and Technology in recognition of her immense contributions to the growth of the mining industry.[19]

Achimota School named their 17th dormitory, 'Rev Joyce R. Aryee House' after her, in honor of her selfless service to the nation and commitment as well as contribution to her alma mater.[16]

Publications

Aryee has co-authored the book The Transformed Mind[20] with Samuel Koranteng-Pipim.

References

1. "Joyce Rosalind Aryee | University of Ghana Alumni Relations Office". ar.ug.edu.gh. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
2. "Minister on right course with 'galamsey' directive - Joyce Aryee". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
3. "Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee – First CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines". Today Newspaper. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
4. "Women of Courage Awards held". Retrieved 29 September 2017.
5. "Governing Council". GARIA. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
6. WWW.OFMTV.COM, OFM Computer World- (7 February 2018). "Profile & Biography of Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee". GhanaChurch.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
7. Attah-Mensah, Samuel. "Footprints on Citi TV with Dr. Joyce Aryee". Citi Tube. Citi Tube. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
8. Gideon Sackitey, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby
9. Festus Eribo & William Jong-Ebot, Press Freedom and Communication in Africa, 1997, p. 20.
10. Martin K. I. Christensen (31 May 2010). "Ghana Ministers". Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership. Martin K. I. Christensen. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
11. WWW.OFMTV.COM, OFM Computer World- (7 February 2018). "Profile & Biography of Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee". GhanaChurch.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
12. "Harmonious Chorale marks 10th anniversary - Business & Financial Times Online". Business & Financial Times Online. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
13. "Our Founder – Salt and Light Ministries". Retrieved 8 June 2019.
14. Quansah, Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa. "Superwoman Award on Mother's Day". Graphic Online. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
15. "Profile On Speakers For Youth Revolution Conference | News Ghana". www.newsghana.com.gh. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
16. Boateng, Dennis Agyei. "Achimota School names girls' dormitory after Rev. Joyce Aryee - Graphic Online | Ghana News". Graphic Online. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
17. "Selina Boateng wins Artiste of the Year at Ghana Gospel Industry Awards". MyJoyOnline.com. 24 June 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
18. "Our Founder – Salt and Light Ministries". Retrieved 8 June 2019.
19. "Board Member, Dr. Mrs. Joyce Aryee", Glico General.
20. The Transformed Mind (Eagle Online Books, 2012). Amazon.

External links

• Mentoring Women Ghana Board
• Salt and Light Ministries website
• Footprints on Citi TV with Dr. Joyce Aryee