George Ayittey
Full Name and Common Aliases
George Ayittey is a Ghanaian economist, author, and public intellectual.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: 1945, in Kumasi, Ghana
Still active in current times, no reported date of death.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Ghanaian
Profession: Economist, Author, Public Intellectual
Early Life and Background
George Ayittey was born in Kumasi, Ghana, in 1945. His family background was one of modest means, with his father being a trader. Growing up, Ayittey's experiences with poverty and inequality would later shape his work as an economist and advocate for economic development.
Ayittey pursued higher education at the University of Ghana, where he earned a degree in economics. He continued his studies in the United States, earning master's and doctoral degrees from the American University in Washington, D.C.
Major Accomplishments
As an economist, Ayittey has made significant contributions to understanding the challenges facing developing countries. His work focuses on economic development, poverty alleviation, and institutional reform. One of his notable accomplishments is the creation of the _African Center for Economic Transformation_ (ACET), a think tank dedicated to promoting economic transformation in Africa.
Ayittey's academic work has been widely recognized, with numerous publications on topics such as economic liberalization, corruption, and governance. His books have become influential references for policymakers, scholars, and development practitioners worldwide.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Ayittey's notable works include:
_Africa Betrayed_ (1992) - a critical analysis of Africa's underdevelopment
_Indirect Democracy: African Peoples' Self-Organization against Over-Taxation and Misgovernance_ (2005) - an exploration of informal institutions in Africa
_Defeating Dimensions of Poverty: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies for Economic Development in Developing Countries_ (2011) - a comprehensive examination of strategies for poverty reduction
Ayittey has also been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting economic development in Africa. He has worked with international organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and the African Union to provide technical assistance and policy advice.
Impact and Legacy
George Ayittey's work has had a significant impact on the field of economics, particularly in the context of developing countries. His research has influenced policymakers, scholars, and development practitioners worldwide, shaping their understanding of economic development, poverty alleviation, and institutional reform.
Ayittey's legacy extends beyond his academic contributions. He has inspired a new generation of African economists and development professionals to work towards creating a more equitable and prosperous future for the continent.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
George Ayittey is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
His thought-provoking analysis of Africa's underdevelopment challenges
His innovative approach to understanding informal institutions in Africa
His commitment to promoting economic transformation and poverty alleviation on the continent
Ayittey's work continues to inspire and inform discussions about economic development, governance, and institutional reform.
Quotes by George Ayittey
Dictators cause the world’s worst problems: all the collapsed states, and all the devastated economies. All the vapid cases of corruption, grand theft, and naked plunder of the treasury are caused by dictators, leaving in their wake trails of wanton destruction, horrendous carnage and human debris.
The richest persons in Africa are heads of state, governors and ministers. So every ‘educated’ African who wants to be rich – and there is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich – heads straight into government or politics.
The election of Senator Barack Obama brought jubilation across Africa, where millions celebrated him as ‘one of their own.’
If NATO goes in and solves the crisis in Darfur, when the next one comes along Africa’s leaders will just sit back.
In a banana republic, one might slip on a banana peel but things do work – now and then for the people, albeit inefficiently and unreliably.
Virtually all of Africa’s civil wars were started by politically marginalized or excluded groups.
Personally, I regard myself as an intellectual ‘rebel,’ kicking against the ‘old colonialism-imperialism paradigm’ which has landed Africa in a conundrum.
You have to separate the humanitarian impulse from the record of aid itself. We all want to help. Many people would say that it’s the moral impulse of the rich to help the poor, but the record of aid has been terrible.
Africa’s salvation doesn’t lie in begging and begging for more aid, and as an African, I find it very, very humiliating.