Patience Akyianu, former Barclays Bank Ghana MD and Hollard CEO, reportedly dies
Patience Enyonam Akyianu, a prominent figure in Ghana’s banking and insurance industries, has reportedly died.
Akyianu was the former Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana and the first Group Chief Executive Officer of Hollard Ghana Holdings.
The CEO Network Ghana announced her reported death in a statement, describing her as a “dear friend and distinguished CEO”.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend and distinguished CEO, Patience Akyianu, Group CEO of Hollard Holdings,” the network said.
The organisation extended its condolences to her family, colleagues, friends and loved ones and said further details would be communicated when received from the family.
The circumstances surrounding her reported death had not been independently confirmed at the time of publication. ?
Akyianu built a career spanning more than two decades across banking, finance and insurance.
According to a profile published by the Ghana Stock Exchange, she had more than 26 years of experience in banking and finance, including 17 years in the banking sector before moving into insurance in 2018.
She held several senior positions during her banking career before becoming Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana, where she had previously served as Finance Director.
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She spent five years as Managing Director of the bank before leaving in 2018.
From Barclays Bank to Hollard Ghana
In October 2018, Akyianu moved from banking into the insurance industry when she became the first Group CEO of Hollard Ghana Holdings.
Her appointment came after the formation of the Hollard group in Ghana, which brought together Hollard Insurance Ghana, formerly Metropolitan Insurance, and Hollard Life Assurance Ghana.
At Hollard, she was responsible for leading the newly established group as it expanded its insurance operations and developed products aimed at improving access to insurance.
Reflecting on the career move, Akyianu described her transition from banking to insurance as a new chapter in her leadership journey.
She said she was attracted by Hollard’s brand, purpose, vision and business ethos.
Her contribution to Ghana's insurance industry
Akyianu's tenure at Hollard coincided with efforts to make insurance more accessible to individuals and businesses.
Among the initiatives launched during her leadership was the Asomdwee insurance product, introduced in partnership with the Ghana Enterprises Agency in 2021 to provide insurance cover for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Hollard also expanded its digital and distribution channels during her tenure, with the company highlighting products such as Araba Hollard and other initiatives aimed at improving customer access.
Awards and recognition
Akyianu received several recognitions during her career in Ghana's financial services sector.
In May 2025, she received the Millennium Excellence Award for Finance and Capital Market Excellence at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The award recognised her contribution to leadership, mentorship and the development of Ghana's finance and capital markets.
She was also a founding member of the Executive Women Network and the International Women's Forum, Ghana, and served on several corporate boards.
Education and professional background
Akyianu held an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specialising in Accounting, from the University of Ghana Business School.
She was also a professional accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.
Her career took her through senior financial and executive roles before she eventually became one of Ghana's prominent female business leaders.
A major loss to Ghana's business community
Akyianu's reported death marks the loss of a senior Ghanaian executive whose career crossed the banking, insurance and wider financial services sectors.
From her leadership at Barclays Bank Ghana to becoming the founding Group CEO of Hollard Ghana Holdings, she occupied influential positions in two major areas of Ghana's financial services industry.
Further details surrounding her death are expected to be communicated by her family.
Edem Kwame
Chief Editor
Edem Kwame is a staff journalist at GH News Media, where he covers news, sports, politics and current affairs with a sharp focus on Ghanaian and African football.
