Osei Kwame Despite

Osei Kwame Despite is one of Ghana's most admired self-made entrepreneurs, a business mogul whose rise from petty trader to media and manufacturing magnate has become a national success story. His empire spans broadcasting, food production and more.

Humble beginnings

He was born on 2 February 1962 in Agona Wiamoase in the Ashanti Region, and began life as a petty trader, selling cassettes, padlocks, feeding bottles and other goods around Dunkwa and Offinso. An early venture into timber contracting collapsed when his chainsaw was crushed by a falling tree on his first trip, a setback he turned into a lesson.

Building an empire

He found his footing selling music cassettes and managing highlife artists, a foundation that gave him both capital and an instinct for the media business. That instinct led him to found Peace FM in 1999, the station that would anchor a broadcasting empire.

The Despite Group

Today the Despite Group of Companies is one of Ghana's most prominent conglomerates, taking in the radio stations Peace FM, Okay FM, Neat FM and Hello FM, the television network UTV, the salt producer U2 Company and Neat Foods. His media outlets are among the most influential in the country.

Standing

Known for his low-key manner, his philanthropy and his famously close friendship with fellow mogul Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Osei Kwame Despite is frequently cited as a model of Ghanaian enterprise, proof of how far vision and persistence can carry a self-made businessman.