Prince Kofi Amoabeng

Prince Kofi Amoabeng (born 22 February 1952) is a Ghanaian business person. He is the founder and chief executive officer of UT Bank and the president of its parent, UT Holdings.^[1]

Early life and education

Amoabeng was born at Bososo in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He attended Adisadel College in Cape Coast, Penworth Preparatory School, in Accra, and St. Peter’s Secondary School at Nkwatia. He graduated from the University of Ghana, Legon, with a bachelor's degree in Administration (Accounting). Kofi then attended the Military Academy in Accra and was commissioned as a Lieutenant. While in the army, studied the Royal Army Pay Corps course in Cost and Management Accountancy in Winchester, UK, returning home after a year and a half. He left the army in May 1982 because he opposed the return of the country to military rule.^[1]

Career

He became a businessman and consultant, launching several enterprises including Opayesco Wood Processing Co Ltd, K K Power & Co ltd, P. K. Amoabeng Enterprise Ltd, and Schiewer Gh. Ltd., as well as a consulting firm, Jam Haus. He also taught at the Ghana Stock Exchange. In 1997, he and Joseph Nsonamoa set up a ‘finance house’ to provide more timely and appropriate finance than was available from the traditional banking sector. The finance house was initially called Best Financial Services, then changed the name to Unique Trust Financial Services, now UT Bank. The bank now has more than 600 employees in 26 branches in seven of the ten regions of Ghana.

Amoabeng is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ghana Interbank Payment Settlement System (GHIPSS); a member of the Council of Enablis Ghana (Canadian Entrepreneurial NGO) and a member of the International Advisory Board of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), in Ghana.

Recognition

• Lifetime Achievement for Innovation in Africa, 2013
• Johnnie Walker Giant, 2012. A global "Walk With Giants" campaign.
• Overall Best Entrepreneur in the Maiden Ghana Entrepreneurs Award (2011)
• One of two Ghanaians profiled in Moky Makura’s book on Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs which profiles 16 of Africa’s top entrepreneurs.
• Three times running Ghana’s Most Respected CEO for 2008/2010/2012.
• National Honours for an Order of the Star of the Volta- Officer’s Division presented by the President of Ghana in 2008.
• Marketing Man of the Year 2006.

References