Date of Birth: October 13, 1945
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: August 9, 2022
Biography
George Ayittey was a renowned Ghanaian economist, author, and advocate for political reform in Africa. Born in Ghana, Ayittey gained international recognition for his critiques of African leadership and his advocacy for free markets and democracy. He completed his undergraduate studies in Ghana before moving to the United States, where he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Manitoba in Canada. Ayittey served as a professor at various universities, including American University in Washington, D.C., where he became a distinguished academic voice. He wrote several influential books, such as “Africa Betrayed” and “Africa Unchained,” which highlighted the detrimental effects of corruption and poor governance on the continent’s development. Throughout his career, Ayittey was a vocal critic of what he termed the “vampire state,” a concept describing corrupt governments in Africa that exploit their citizens. He advocated for the adoption of traditional African institutions and free-market policies as a means to foster economic growth and political stability. His work earned him numerous accolades and made him a respected figure in the field of development economics.
5 Interesting Facts about George Ayittey
1. George Ayittey coined the term “vampire state” to describe corrupt African governments.
2. He was a former professor at American University in Washington, D.C.
3. Ayittey’s book “Africa Betrayed” won the H.L. Mencken Award for Best Book in 1992.
4. He founded the Free Africa Foundation in 1993 to promote economic freedom and democracy in Africa.
5. Ayittey was listed by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the “Top 100 Global Thinkers” in 2009.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Ayittey
1. “Africa is poor because she is not free.”
2. “The solutions to Africa’s problems lie within Africa.”
3. “What has kept Africa from developing is not lack of resources, but the lack of freedom.”
4. “A free market is not a free-for-all market.”
5. “The African solution is to go back to our roots and build on our traditional systems.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, George Ayittey’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
George Ayittey was known to maintain a private personal life, and there is limited public information available regarding his children.
Relevant Links
1. [George Ayittey – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Ayittey
3. [Free Africa Foundation](https://freeafrica.org/
5. [American University Faculty Profile](https://www.american.edu/soc/faculty/gayittey.cfm
