The Director of the Social Development Policy Division of the Economic Commission for Africa, Takyiwaa Manuh has been awarded an honorary doctorate by her alma mater, the University of Sussex, England. As a former student of the university, Ms. Manuh’s many significant contributions to the struggle for justice – in her home country of Ghana, in her work at the ECA, as part of national and trans-continental networks such as the Network of Women’s Rights in Ghana, and in global policy spaces through her advisory work with UNESCO, UNFPA, and the International Network on Migration among others were praised.
In an introductory speech delivered before the degree was presented to her; the speaker emphasized the tenacity and commitment by Ms. Manuh on the issues of justice, rights and development, particularly, women’s liberation and her commitment to Africa. A moderately detailed history of the educational and professional achievements made by Ms Manuh highlighted her laudable career. This included her role as the first female director of the Institute of African Studies (IAS), during which time she raised the establishment of the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy at the University of Ghana, and engaged actively in policy processes on gender and migration and violence against women.
Before she was presented with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoriscausa, Ms. Manuh was publicly identified as a passionate advocate for African studies, which she was quoted as saying, “is rooted in a mastery of African contexts and experiences, that engages in comparative work to generate theories that explain Africa first and foremost to its own peoples”.
She leads the Social Development Policy Division managing the Commission’s comprehensive secondary and empirical research to support policy making and programming for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development in Africa.
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