In the 62 years history of the Bank of Ghana, only two women have been appointed Deputy Governor of the central bank. In February 2018, Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzi became the first female Second Deputy Governor of Ghana’s central bank and the second female to be appointed to the governorship since the central bank was established.
Together with Mrs. Theresa Owusu who served for 8 years (1989 -1997) as first woman to be appointed as deputy governor of the central bank, Mrs. Addo is inspiring many young girls to believe that they too can break the bias in male dominated sectors.
Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzi is a Ghanaian International economic and financial lawyer who was appointed as second Deputy Governor of the bank of Ghana in February 2018. She has rich experience in financial sector development and regulation, crisis management and financial safety nets, international finance, and public financial management.
Despite coming from humble beginnings, Mrs. Addo has obtained a Law degree and an M.B.A in Finance from the University of Ghana. She holds a master of law degree in International Business and Economic Law from the Georgetown University Law Centre.
In eulogising her former classmate, Lady Justice of the Supreme Court of Cameron, Lady Justice Vera Ngassa wrote this about Mrs. Elsie Awadzi Addo:
“Elsie is a remarkable and strong woman. I had the privilege of studying with her at the Georgetown University Law Center. In spite of serious family commitments, Elsie commuted 1 hour 30 minutes to school but was often first in class. She is brilliant, studious, diligent and always brought new insight and energy into the classroom. She definitely earned her distinction. She works long hours often under pressure, yet remains cheerful and patient. Elsie is an uncommon and stellar leader”.
Before she took office as Deputy Governor, Mrs. Addo was Senior Counsel of the Financial and Fiscal Law Unit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Legal Department, based in Washington, D.C. where she helped to design reforms to strengthen financial systems and manage financial crises in a variety of IMF member countries, as well as advised on legal and institutional aspects of public financial management.
Elsie Addo Awadzi was reappointed Second Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana for a second term starting February 14, 2022.
