Patience Enyonam Akyianu, former Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana and Group Chief Executive Officer of Hollard Ghana, has reportedly passed away.
The CEO Network Ghana announced her death in a statement, describing Akyianu as a “dear friend and distinguished CEO” and Group CEO of Hollard Holdings.
“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 circumstances surrounding her reported death have not been independently confirmed.
The CEO Network Ghana extended its condolences to her family, colleagues, friends, and loved ones, stating that further details would be shared upon receipt from the family.
Akyianu was a prominent figure in Ghana’s banking and insurance sectors, with more than two decades of experience in financial services.
She began her career in banking and held senior financial and executive positions before becoming Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana, where she had previously served as Finance Director.
According to a profile published by the Ghana Stock Exchange, Akyianu had more than 26 years of experience in banking and finance, including 17 years in banking before transitioning to the insurance sector in 2018.
She left Barclays Bank Ghana in October 2018 to become Group Chief Executive Officer of Hollard Ghana Holdings.
Her appointment followed Hollard’s expansion in Ghana, which brought together Hollard Insurance Ghana, formerly Metropolitan Insurance, and Hollard Life Assurance Ghana.
Akyianu became the first Group CEO of the newly established insurance group and led its expansion and efforts to develop customer-focused insurance solutions.
Reflecting on her transition from banking to insurance, Akyianu described the move as a “leap of faith,” saying she was attracted by Hollard’s brand, purpose, vision, and business ethos.
Her leadership at Hollard coincided with the introduction of initiatives aimed at expanding insurance access, including products targeting underserved individuals and businesses.
In 2021, Hollard Ghana partnered with the Ghana Enterprises Agency to introduce the Asomdwee insurance product, designed to provide insurance cover for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
Akyianu received professional recognition for her contribution to 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 leadership at Barclays Bank Ghana and Hollard Ghana and her contribution to the development of Ghana’s finance and capital markets.
Akyianu held an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, specialising in Accounting, from the University of Ghana Business School.
She was also a chartered accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.
Beyond her executive positions, she served on corporate boards and was a founding member of the Executive Women Network and the International Women’s Forum, Ghana.
Her reported death marks the loss of a senior Ghanaian business executive whose career spanned banking, insurance, and corporate leadership.
