Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee Explained

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee
Office:14th Ghana Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Predecessor:Ken Kanda
President:John Dramani Mahama
Termstart:July 2015
Termend:May 2021
Nationality:Ghanaian
Birth Date:September 4
Spouse:John Samuel Pobee
Honorific Prefix:Her Excellency
Occupation:Diplomat

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.

Before joining the UN, Pobee was Ghana's first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations.[2] [3] She was appointed in July 2015 by the former President John Dramani Mahama. 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.[4]

Education

Pobee 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

Pobee was a career diplomat, serving in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She was posted in Tel Aviv from 2000 until 2004.[6] 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.[7] [8] [9] [10]

Personal life

Pobee 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]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sga2040.doc.htm Secretary-General Appoints Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee of Ghana Assistant Secretary-General for Africa
  2. Web site: Help imbibe diplomatic skills in youth – UN Ambassador. www.ghanaweb.com. en. 2019-05-21.
  3. Web site: Ghana's new Ambassador to UN sworn in. Eshun. Beatrice. www.gbcghana.com. en. 2019-05-21.
  4. Web site: 2023-11-16 . 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 . 2024-03-07 . UNITAMS . en.
  5. Web site: New Permanent Representative of Ghana Presents Credentials Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. www.un.org. en. 2018-03-08.
  6. Book: Pobee, John S.. Sense of Grace and Mission. African Books Collective. 2012. 226. 9789988152284.
  7. Web site: President Commissions Martha Pobee as UN Representative. Government of Ghana.
  8. Web site: Meet Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa – The First Woman Appointed As Ghana's Ambassador To The United Nations. Raj. Akhmed. African Seer. 1 August 2015. 12 August 2017.
  9. Web site: Envoy to UN takes oath. 23 July 2015. 12 August 2017. Ghanaian Times. Nuamah. Samuel.
  10. Web site: Appointing women to key positions: Prez Mahama scores another point. Graphic Online. 25 July 2015. 12 August 2017. Kwame Asare. Boadu.
  11. Book: Pobee, John S.. Sense of Grace and Mission. African Books Collective. 2012. 230. 9789988152284.
  12. Web site: Rev. Professor Emeritus John Samuel Pobee. Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
  13. Book: 52. Trajectories of Religion in Africa: Essays in Honour of John S. Pobee. Cephas N.. Omenyo. Eric B.. Anum. Rodopi. 2014. 9789401210577.