Dr. Yakama Manty Jones (Nee Mara) is an Economist, Lecturer, Researcher, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist. Among other things in her portfolio, she currently serves as the Director of Research and Delivery in Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance. She is also the Focal Person for the country’s Human Capital Development Project, working across the Ministries of Education, Health, Agriculture, Fisheries and the Directorate of Science Technology and Innovation. Dr. Jones is an expert in Development Economics, Finance, Econometrics, and Project Management. Her research interests lie in Development Economics, International Business, Human Capital Development, Growth Dynamics, Innovation, and Systems Approaches to Public Service Delivery.
Dr. Jones holds a BSc. (Hons) in Economics (Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone); a Post-Graduate Diploma in Finance and Economics (University of Manchester); MSc. Finance and Economics (Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London); MRes. International Business and Economic Development (Birkbeck College, University of London); PhD Finance and Economics (Birkbeck College, University of London), a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Oxford and an Executive Certificate in Economic Development from the Harvard Kennedy School.
She is an Amujae Leader at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Presidential Centre for Women and Development.