Sherry Ayittey (1948 – 22 July 2023) was a distinguished Ghanaian biochemist, politician, and dedicated women’s activist. Throughout her illustrious career, Hanny Sherry Ayittey served in various key ministerial roles, leaving a significant impact on Ghana’s development.
She notably held the position of Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and played a crucial role in advancing the nation’s marine resources and promoting sustainable practices within the fishing industry.
From February 2013 to June 2014, Sherry Ayittey served as the Minister for Health, where she focused on improving healthcare services and public health initiatives, aiming to enhance the overall well-being of the Ghanaian population.
Prior to her tenure in the health sector, she served as the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology from 2009 to 2012, leading efforts to address environmental challenges, foster scientific advancements, and promote technological innovation for the nation’s progress.
Sherry Ayittey’s remarkable contributions to Ghana’s growth and her dedication to women’s empowerment will be remembered as a profound legacy in the country’s history. Her passing on 22 July 2023 marked a significant loss to the nation and the causes she tirelessly championed.
Early life and education
Born in 1948, Sherry Ayittey pursued her secondary education at Labone Secondary School in Accra, where she was part of the 1965-67 year group.
She furthered her academic journey at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, formerly known as the University of Science and Technology (UST), where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Industrial Microbiology.
Her pursuit of knowledge did not end there, as she also became a fellow of prestigious American universities, including the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. This reflected her dedication to continuous learning and professional development.
Throughout her career, Ayittey actively engaged in nongovernmental organization activities within Ghana, displaying her commitment to various social causes.
In February 2013, she further honed her leadership skills by attending a prestigious leadership program at Harvard University in Massachusetts, USA.
Career
Ayittey held the esteemed position of managing director at Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC) Distilleries, showcasing her expertise in business management. Her exceptional leadership skills led to her involvement in various management boards across Ghana, including the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (now Ghana Water Company Limited – GWCL), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ghana Forestry Commission, and Ghana Export Promotion Council.
Her dedication to addressing global challenges was evident as she represented Ghana in significant international conferences such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, among others.
Furthermore, Ayittey actively participated in promoting women’s rights and empowerment by attending the International Conference for Women in Beijing, China, and the Africa Global Initiative Conference in Tokyo, Japan.
Her commitment to professional development was recognized by her fellowship with the Institute of Directors in the United Kingdom and her membership in the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in Ghana.
Throughout her career, Ayittey’s remarkable achievements and active involvement in multiple fields underscored her impactful contributions to both Ghana and the international community.
Politics
Sherry Ayittey was a founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). She has served in several roles within the party and in government, serving as a women’s activist, a minister of state and a National Vice-chairperson.
Minister of Environment, Science and Technology
After the 2008 presidential election, President John Atta Mills appointed Ayittey as the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology in January 2009, making her one of the 19 ministers in President Mills’ cabinet.[3] During her tenure, she played a crucial role in collaborating with the Ministry of Energy to oversee Ghana’s first drill of oil and gas. With a strong focus on environmental concerns, Ayittey led the ministry to ensure comprehensive management of potential environmental hazards.
Under her leadership, the ministry worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop an oil and gas master plan that integrated environmental management, health, safety, and community issues into petroleum sector operations, promoting sustainable development in the industry.
Ayittey represented President Atta Mills at the 2nd Commission Meeting of COMSATS in April 2012, during which the President was appointed as the chairperson of the commission.
Beyond her ministerial role, Ayittey held prominent positions such as the Chairperson of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology in Geneva and the African Regional Centre on Technology in Dakar. Additionally, she served as a member of the ECOWAS Board (Economic Community of West African States Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency – ECREEE), and held a Council Member position at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Washington.
Minister of Health
In January 2013, President John Dramani Mahama appointed her as the Minister for Health, succeeding Alban Bagbin in the role.
During her tenure, she represented Ghana at various international forums and conferences, including the 66th World Health Assembly, where she served as a keynote speaker at an event addressing climate change and air pollution.
As Health Minister, she recognized the importance of educating adolescents about reproductive health and family planning. At the 2013 National Family Planning Week celebration in Ho, Volta Region, she called upon the Ghana Education Service (GES) to introduce family planning teachings in schools.
Her aim was to empower young people with knowledge about their reproductive health and reduce the alarming rates of teenage pregnancies caused by inadequate awareness. By incorporating family planning into the curriculum, she believed the stigma surrounding reproductive health could be lessened. Additionally, she urged traditional authorities and religious leaders to collaborate with experts in family planning and reproductive health to sensitize their communities about these crucial issues.
Recognizing the significance of eye care for overall well-being, she championed an initiative in collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to distribute eyeglasses to people living in rural communities across the country.
Furthermore, in 2014, she advocated for the training of more ophthalmologists in Ghana due to the shortage of specialized eye care professionals, as there were only 74 trained ophthalmologists in the entire nation at that time.
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
On 9 June 2014, Sherry Ayitey was reassigned by President Mahama to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
NDC National Vice-Chairperson
In 2018, Ayittey announced her candidacy for the National Vice-chairmanship position within the NDC party. She contested against several other candidates, including Awudu Sofo Asorka, Said Sinare, Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, Lawyer Adu-Yeboah, Alhaji Amadu Bukari Sorogho, Seth Ofosu-Ohene, Alhaji Sumaila Mahama, and Dr. Kwame Ampofo.
Her campaign focused on the agenda to “Rebuild, Reposition, and Regain the party’s values and principles among its grassroots base in preparation for the 2020 Ghana elections.”
Following a successful campaign, Ayittey emerged victorious in the elections held on 18th November 2018, securing a position on the party’s national executive committee. She was elected as one of the three vice chairpersons for the NDC, with Awudu Sofo Asorka serving as the 1st Vice-chair, she herself as the 2nd Vice-chair, and Said Sinare as the 3rd Vice-chair.
31 December Women’s Movement
She actively participated in the 31 December Women’s Movement, an non-governmental organization associated with the NDC, which is led by Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the wife of the late Jerry Rawlings, a former President of Ghana.
Within the organization, she held the position of Projects and Programmes Officer, contributing her expertise and dedication to the movement’s initiatives and activities.
Controversies and allegations
After the NDC lost the Ghanaian presidential election in December 2000, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took power with John Kufuor forming his government. Following this political shift, several NDC activists faced trials for various reasons. Sherry Ayitey was among those who stood trial, along with Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, in relation to the divestiture of the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL). Ayitey had been a member of the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC).
During the trial, Ayitey challenged the High Court’s decision for her to open her defense, but the Court of Appeal rejected her request and ordered her to proceed with the defense in the High Court.
When questioned under cross-examination, Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, a former Executive Secretary of the DIC and one of the three accused persons, testified that during his tenure in office, Hanny Sherry Ayitey, treasurer of the 31 December Women’s Movement, did not approach him to seek any favors on behalf of SIPH (Société Internationale de Plantations et de Finance Holding).
Sherry Ayitey consistently denied playing any role in the privatization of GREL during her evidence-in-chief at the Accra Fast Track Court hearing the case. She stated that as a co-opted member of the DIC, she did not perform any function related to GREL’s divestiture. Ayitey clarified that she attended the 37th Regular Meeting of the DIC but that GREL’s privatisation was not discussed during the meeting.
During the course of the trial, Mrs. Ocran was acquitted and discharged for lack of evidence. Eventually, on April 21, 2005, the Court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts against Mrs. Ayittey and Mr. Agbodo, resulting in their acquittal and freedom.
