Rev Dr Joyce Aryee
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Rev. Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, is 80 years old today.
The first female CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines led a song this morning at her 80th birthday thanksgiving service held at the Ridge Church in Accra.
Dr. Aryee, who continues to serve as an inspiration to many, has served Ghana in various capacities and contributed significantly to the country’s socio-economic development.
Her birthday celebration will be climaxed with an evening of praise and worship at ICGC Christ Temple East in Teshie.
The Harmonious Chorale is expected to grace the occasion with melodious tunes.
Meanwhile some institutions and individuals have been celebrating Dr Joyce Aryee on this very special day.
About Dr Joyce Aryee
Joyce Rosalind Aryee, also known as “Auntie Joyce,” is a Ghanaian former politician, reverend minister, and businesswoman. She is widely recognised for having served Ghana for more than 40 years in both the public and private sectors. Aryee is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and was the first woman in Africa to hold that position. She also held several political roles in Ghana during the early years of the PNDC government. She is currently the Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries, a para-church organisation.
Born to a Fante mother and a Ga father, Aryee is the second of four children. During her early years, she lived with her family in North Suntreso, Kumasi, where she began her education at Methodist Primary School and Methodist Middle School. She later attended Achimota School and graduated in 1969 from the University of Ghana, Legon, with a BA (Hons) in English.
She was formerly married to Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby.
During her time at the University of Ghana, Aryee worked during holidays at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in the Test Development and Research Office (TDRO). She also worked with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board in administration. From 1976 to 1981, she served as a Public Relations Officer at the then newly established Environmental Protection Council. She later moved to the Ghana Standards Board (now the Ghana Standards Authority), where she also served as a Public Relations Officer.
From 1982 to 1985, Aryee was appointed by former President Jerry John Rawlings as Secretary for Information under the PNDC. From 1985 to 1987, she served as Minister of Education, and from 1987 to 1988 as Minister of Local Government. Between 1988 and 2001, she served in the Office of the President (formerly referenced as the Office of the Prime Minister), and from 1993 to 2001 she was a member of the National Defence Council.
Aryee is the founder and current Executive Director of Salt & Light Ministries, a para-church organisation. She also runs Joyce Aryee Consult, which focuses on management and communications. She serves on several boards, including the Kinross Chirano Gold Mines board, Mentoring Women Ghana, and the Roman Ridge School Academic Board.
She is the chairperson of Harmonious Chorale, a Ghanaian music group, and continues to play a key role in mentoring and faith-based initiatives. Auntie Joyce is also the First Patron Extraordinaire of the Accra Mining Network.
Aryee was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Volta in 2006, Ghana’s second-highest state honour, in recognition of her service to the nation. She is also a recipient of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) Marketing Woman of the Year Award (2007) and the African Female Business Leader of the Year Award (2009) by the African Centre for Economic Development.
She was honoured for her contributions to mining and public service at the maiden edition of the Women in Excellence Awards in 2011 and was nominated as the 2011 “Woman of the Year” by the American Biographical Institute. She was the first female recipient of the Inspirational Woman Award at the Ghana UK-Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards in 2015. In addition, she was named Public Relations Personality of the Year 2014 by the Institute of Public Relations Ghana and was listed among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.
Aryee is an Honorary Fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineers and has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Mines and Technology in recognition of her contributions to the mining industry.
Achimota School named its 17th dormitory, “Rev. Joyce R. Aryee House,” in her honour, in recognition of her service to the nation and her contributions to the school.
She has also co-authored the book The Transformed Mind with Samuel Koranteng-Pipim.
