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Dr. Nana Owusu Ensaw affirms ACCP research on Kwahu Business Culture
The founder and owner of The Platinum Bay Hotel, Dr. Nana Owusu Ensaw, has affirmed findings by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) that Kwahu people are systematically trained and culturally oriented toward business from an early age.
In an interview with journalists who visited his “Movie in the Park” event at Abokobi and sought his opinion on the ACCP research findings as an indigene of Kwahu, Dr. Ensaw said many people wrongly associate the wealth of Kwahu people with suspicious activities because they do not understand the community’s deep-rooted business culture.
According to him, business and trading have always been part of the upbringing of many Kwahu families long before modern concepts such as entrepreneurship and investment became popular.
“We, the people of Kwahu, were raised with a natural instinct for business. Buying and selling is part of our upbringing,” he stated.
Dr. Ensaw explained that many Kwahu children are introduced to business activities at an early age and often learn trading skills from parents, uncles and relatives during school holidays.
He noted that although he is a medical doctor by profession, he had been involved in business since secondary school, describing it as a common reality among many Kwahu people.
Reacting to public perceptions and claims that some abandoned houses in Kwahu are linked to ritual money practices, Dr. Ensaw said such assumptions are unfair and misleading.
According to him, many of the houses seen on the Kwahu mountains remain empty for most parts of the year because their owners live and work in places such as Accra, Kumasi and abroad.
He stressed that many Kwahu people spend years working tirelessly and making sacrifices to build properties and create financial security for their families.
“Sometimes it is simply years of discipline, sacrifice, resilience and hard work that nobody was paying attention to while it was happening,” he stated.
Dr. Ensaw added that many people only see the finished houses and visible wealth but fail to recognise the sleepless nights, failed attempts, debts and pressure behind such success stories.
His comments support findings contained in a recent ACCP research report titled “The Kwahu Entrepreneurial Archetype: Lessons for Local Content Sovereignty in Africa.”
The research, led by ACCP member David Adofo, concluded that the success of the Kwahu Business Forum and the wealth associated with many Kwahu indigenes are the result of decades of deliberate intergenerational training in trade, enterprise and financial discipline.
According to the report, the commercial culture of the Kwahu people dates back to the late 1800s when Kwahu traders became heavily involved in the rubber trade between the hinterlands and the coast.
The research revealed that by the 1920s, Kwahu traders had become some of the dominant shop owners in Accra, while trading and business had become one of the most respected activities within the community.
The ACCP further explained that the Kwahu entrepreneurial ecosystem is driven by a strong business culture, practical learning through observation and experience, and mentorship from successful elders.
The report also highlighted the rapid growth of Rock City Hotel, led by Bryan Acheampong, as evidence of the scale of Kwahu enterprise and investment.
According to the ACCP, the Kwahu business model offers important lessons for Africa, particularly at a time when the continent is pushing for economic self-reliance through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Chamber therefore urged African governments to study and replicate aspects of the Kwahu entrepreneurial culture, including early business training, mentorship and community support systems.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The National Media Commission has appointed Dr Isaac Okpoti Nai as the new Managing Director of New Times Corporation, publishers of Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers.
In an engagement with staff of the Corporation today, June 5, 2026, Dr.Nai, expressed his appreciation to everyone for holding the forth and contributing to the growth of the company.
He said, his leadership philosophy is based on professionalism, integrity and team work.
The new Managing Director said, he will be on a journey which would require everyone to take ‘ownership’.
” You need to work as though the company belongs to you. You are not doing it for me, take ownership, let’s work as a team,” he stressed.
With this, he said “we will be able to grow and sustain NTC. Let’s respect deadline and time.”
Dr.Nai pleaded with the staff to play their roles effectively to add value to NTC.
The Board led by Prof Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo expressed his excitement and wished the new MD and staff well in the years ahead.
The Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee, Dr.Charity Binka urged the staff to give the new MD their utmost support to help him succeed.
The appointment dated June 5, 2026, was done by the National Media Commission (NMC) In consultation with His Excellency the President of Ghana.
The appointment is in accordance with Article 168 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and section 2(1)(e) of the National Media Commission Act, 1994 (Act 449).
Dr. Isaac Okpoti Nai is a management executive, academic, and corporate leader with over 25 years of professional experience spanning financial management, corporate governance, strategic planning, internal audit, risk management, and organisational development across Ghana and the United Kingdom,.
Before this appointment, Dr. Nai served as General Manager, Finance and Administration at the State Housing Company Limited.
Dr.Nai has held senior leadership positions with the Ghana Integrity Initiative (Transparency International Ghana), Central Region Development Commission, London Borough of Croydon, London Borough of Merton and Ananemantey & Co. His experience covers both public and private sector institutions, including donor-funded organizations, local government authorities, financial institutions, and higher education establishments.
As an academic, he has lectured in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, and Management, contributing to the development of future business leaders and professionals.
Dr. Nai holds a Doctor of Business Administration (Financial Management) from Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom, an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from the University of Greenwich, and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICA).
Throughout his career, Dr. Nai has been recognised for strengthening financial controls, improving organisational performance, leading transformational initiatives, and providing strategic leadership that delivers sustainable growth and value creation.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
MomsConnectGH marks Mental Health Awareness Day and Mother’s Day with donation to Accra Psychiatric Hospital
As part of activities to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Day and Mother’s Day, MomsConnectGH last Saturday organised a donation drive to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital under its outreach initiative, The Hannah Project.
The initiative formed part of the organisation’s broader commitment to supporting vulnerable groups in society while creating awareness around mental health challenges, particularly those affecting women and mothers.
The donation included essential supplies and welfare items for patients at the hospital.
Speaking during the donation, Co-Partner of MomsConnectGH, Elizabeth Owusu-Boadi, said the initiative was inspired by the need to show compassion and support to people facing mental health challenges, especially women and mothers.
She noted that many women continue to struggle silently with mental health conditions such as postpartum depression.
“Postpartum depression is one of the mental health issues many women go through, yet it is not spoken about enough. Many mothers suffer in silence because of stigma, lack of awareness, and limited support systems,” she said.
Mrs Owusu-Boadi explained that the decision to visit the Accra Psychiatric Hospital was intentional and aimed at reminding patients that they are loved, valued, and not forgotten.
“We wanted to come here not just with donations, but with kindness, hope, and support for the patients and staff here,” she added.
She also called on the government, civil society organisations, and private institutions to increase support for psychiatric healthcare facilities across the country.
“Mental healthcare is just as important as physical healthcare. We all have a role to play in supporting mental health institutions and creating more awareness around these issues,” she stated.
Head of Public Relations at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Peggy Asiedu Ekremet, thanked MomsConnectGH for the gesture and encouraged the public to pay more attention to mental health.
“Mental health issues can affect anyone. Seeking help is a sign of strength and not weakness. We encourage people to speak up and seek professional support when they need it,” she said.
MomsConnectGH said The Hannah Project forms part of its broader mission to build a supportive community for mothers while impacting lives positively through outreach and wellness initiatives.
The group also expressed appreciation to all individuals, partners, and organisations who contributed to the success of the donation exercise.
