Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee (born 4 September) is a Ghanaian diplomat who has been serving as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for Africa at the United Nations Secretariat since 2021.[1] In this capacity, she is part of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
Her Excellency Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee | |
|---|---|
 in November 2021 in Mogadishu | |
| 14th Ghana Permanent Representative to the United Nations | |
| In office July 2015 – May 2021 | |
| President | John Dramani Mahama |
| Preceded by | Ken Kanda |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 4 |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Spouse | John Samuel Pobee |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Before joining the UN, Pobee was Ghana's first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations.[2][3][4] She was appointed in July 2015 by the former President John Dramani Mahama.[5] As the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peace Operations , she gave remarks to the security council in November 2023.[6]
Education
editPobee obtained her bachelor's degree in English and philosophy from the University of Ghana and her master's degree in development studies from the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. She also studied multilateral diplomacy at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) and Public Administration at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).[5]
Career
editPobee was a career diplomat, serving in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She was posted in Tel Aviv from 2000 until 2004.[7] She was Head of Chancery at the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington D.C. from 2006 until 2010.
From 2010 to 2012, Pobee was the Director of the Information and Public Affairs Bureau at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She later became the Deputy Head of Mission at the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria from 2012 until her appointment as Ghana's Permanent Representative to the UN by President John Dramani Mahama in July 2015.[5][3][8][9][10]
Personal life
editPobee is married to John Samuel Pobee, an Anglican priest and Emeritus Professor. The ceremony took place at the University of Ghana on 26 July 1994.[11][12] She is a Roman Catholic.[13]
References
edit- ^ Secretary-General Appoints Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee of Ghana Assistant Secretary-General for Africa United Nations, press release of May 21, 2021.
- ^ "Help imbibe diplomatic skills in youth – UN Ambassador". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
- ^ a b "President Commissions Martha Pobee as UN Representative". Government of Ghana.
- ^ Eshun, Beatrice. "Ghana's new Ambassador to UN sworn in". www.gbcghana.com. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
- ^ a b c "New Permanent Representative of Ghana Presents Credentials | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
- ^ "ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR AFRICA IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF POLITICAL AND PEACEBUILDING AFFAIRS AND PEACE OPERATIONS (DPPA-DPO) MARTHA AMA AKYAA POBEE REMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON 16 NOVEMBER 2023". UNITAMS. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ Pobee, John S. (2012). Sense of Grace and Mission. African Books Collective. p. 226. ISBN 9789988152284.
- ^ Akhmed, Raj (1 August 2015). "Meet Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa – The First Woman Appointed As Ghana's Ambassador To The United Nations". African Seer. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ^ Nuamah, Samuel (23 July 2015). "Envoy to UN takes oath". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ^ Boadu, Kwame Asare (25 July 2015). "Appointing women to key positions: Prez Mahama scores another point". Graphic Online. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ^ Pobee, John S. (2012). Sense of Grace and Mission. African Books Collective. p. 230. ISBN 9789988152284.
- ^ "Rev. Professor Emeritus John Samuel Pobee". Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- ^ Omenyo, Cephas N.; Anum, Eric B. (2014). Trajectories of Religion in Africa: Essays in Honour of John S. Pobee. Rodopi. p. 52. ISBN 9789401210577.