Sulley Gariba

Sulley Gariba was born in Northern Ghana on 4 May 1958.

Sulley Gariba's academic journey began at Ghana College, now known as Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO), in Tamale. He pursued his passion for political science, earning a bachelor's degree in the subject from the University of Ghana in 1981. His academic pursuit continued at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, where he obtained an MA in Political Science and International Relations in 1982 and a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Development in 1989. Such dedication to learning earned him an honorary Doctor of Laws from Carleton University in 2014, acknowledging his significant contributions to the field.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Gariba established himself as a policy analyst and evaluation specialist, focusing on poverty reduction and development effectiveness. Notably, he played a vital role in monitoring and evaluating poverty reduction efforts in the Canadian International Development. His expertise in the field made him a sought-after advisor and consultant for various organizations and governments worldwide.

Dr. Gariba's leadership extended to key international evaluation associations, including his role as the founding President of the International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS) from 2002 to 2005 and the President of the African Evaluation Association from 2007 to 2009. He actively participated in expert panels for prominent organizations, such as the OECD-DAC and the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG), where he assessed the evaluation function in UNICEF.

Dr. Gariba's impact on Ghana's development was profound, with his expertise leading to significant policy changes and strategic planning. Serving as the Development Policy Advisor in President Mill's administration, he played an instrumental role in shaping the SADA Policy and served as an interim executive from 2009 to June 2012.

He also held the position of Senior Policy Advisor to the President of Ghana, where he contributed to the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for poverty reduction and accelerated growth in the impoverished Northern Savannah Regions. His dedication and long-term commitment to Ghana's development were evident through his service as a member and senior advisor on Ghana's National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

As Team Leader, Dr. Gariba conducted a major evaluation of UNDP's HIV and AIDS programs in 10 Southern African countries and Ethiopia, highlighting his proficiency in integrating HIV and AIDS considerations into development planning and management. Additionally, he led an evaluation of the African Development Bank's African Water Facility, focusing on results-based monitoring and evaluation in the water sector. His expertise extended to working with the UNICEF Peer Review Panel, OECD-DAC, and UNEG, where he contributed his evaluation insights.

On April 27, 2021, Ghana and the international development community mourned the loss of Sulley Gariba. At the age of 62, he succumbed to complications from COVID-19 in Accra, Ghana. His funeral was attended by prominent figures, including former President John Mahama and Lordina Mahama, paying tribute to the invaluable contributions he made throughout his life.