Hanna Serwaa Tetteh Appointed as UN Special Representative for Libya.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana as his Special Representative for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Her appointment was announced to replace Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal, who served as the Special Envoy and Head of UNSMIL until May 2024.
The Secretary-General expressed his deep appreciation for Bathily’s leadership during his tenure and acknowledged the commendable efforts of Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative, who served as Officer-in-Charge in the interim.
Hanna Tetteh brings an extensive wealth of experience from her distinguished career in national, regional, and international leadership roles.
Ms. Tetteh’s appointment is a testament to her remarkable credentials and contributions to global diplomacy and governance. Prior to this new role, she served as:
• UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (2022-2024)
• Special Representative to the African Union and Head of the UN Office to the African Union (2018-2020)
• Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi
Her tenure with the United Nations is marked by her efforts to foster peace, stability, and effective governance in Africa.
Before joining the United Nations, Hanna Tetteh made significant strides in Ghana’s government, holding various key positions:
• Minister for Foreign Affairs (2013-2017): As Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Mediation and Security Council (2014-2015), she played a pivotal role in addressing regional security and mediation issues.
• Minister for Trade and Industry (2009-2013): During this period, she was a member of Ghana’s Economic Management Team and chaired the Ghana Free Zones Board, promoting trade and industrialization.
• Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya Constituency (2000-2005) and Awutu Senya West Constituency (2013-2017).
Ms. Tetteh also served as Co-Facilitator in the High-Level Forum for the Revitalisation of the South Sudan Peace Agreement, demonstrating her adeptness in conflict resolution.
Hanna Tetteh holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, and was called to the Bar in 1992 after completing her postgraduate studies at the Ghana School of Law. She is fluent in English, Hungarian, awutu and Fante, making her well-equipped to navigate diverse cultural and linguistic contexts.
As Special Representative for Libya, Ms. Tetteh is expected to leverage her diplomatic expertise and leadership experience to address the complex challenges in Libya. Her appointment underscores the UN’s commitment to promoting stability, peace, and effective governance in the region.
With this new role, Hanna Tetteh continues to exemplify Ghana’s contribution to global leadership and diplomacy.