Dr. Mary Awusi is a dynamic and visionary leader with a strong background in policy, governance, and economic development. She is deeply committed to driving transformational change through innovative, evidence-based solutions that address complex national and local challenges. With extensive experience in organizational leadership, administration, and strategic planning, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to design and implement sustainable strategies that empower communities and foster inclusive development.

Appointed by the President of Ghana as the first female Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr. Awusi brings a reform-minded approach to the role. She is a strong advocate for transparent, inclusive, and citizen-focused policies that drive economic growth and promote national development. With over a decade of expertise in procurement and supply chain management, her work spans critical areas such as policy formulation, governance modernization, and local government reform—ensuring impactful and far-reaching development initiatives.

Dr. Awusi is dedicated to leveraging technology, optimizing resource management, and strengthening stakeholder collaboration to enhance Ghana’s investment climate and boost national export values through the Ghana Free Zones Programme. Her vision is to transform the Free Zones initiative into a globally competitive Special Economic Zones framework, aligning with the government’s economic development agenda to foster sustainable and long-term prosperity for all citizens.

As a policy strategist, she has a deep understanding of the unique challenges African nations face in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and creating sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.

Dr. Awusi holds a PhD in Adult Education and Human Resource Studies; Master of Arts in Sociology; and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Adult Education all from the University of Ghana as well as a Master of Arts in Local Government Administration and Organization from the Institute of Local Government; and Post Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the Graduate Training Institute. Her academic background reflects a strong foundation in governance, social sciences, and human resource development, underscoring her expertise in these fields. She is a Board Member of the School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana.

She is passionate about women and youth empowerment and issues of sustainability and inclusion.