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Alhaji Salamu Amadu, a global icon inspiring Ghanaian youth
Ambassador Amadu on a global platform
Starting business as a teenager is a Herculean task but it was an obstacle Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of Afro-Arab Group, Alhaji Salamu Amadu surmount to become one of the most successful business moguls on the continent and beyond.
The 36-year-old’s success story has not only become an inspiration for many Muslim youth within the Nima-Mamprobi areas but an icon revered across the globe.
With over two decades in business, Alhaji Amadu, leads the Afro- Arab Group conglomerate which has over 10 subsidiaries with interest in various sectors including import and export, real estate, travel and tourism, microfinance and sports.
Young Amadu ventured into business at a tender age of 10 with his older brother in what was known as the ‘black market’ business which was handed over to them by their father.
Later after Senior High School (SHS) at Abundant Grace Academy in 2004, he decided to start his own business which birthed the Afro-Arab Group in 2007 as an import and export company for general goods and services.
It was, however not without challenges as the young entrepreneur had to deal with many people who did not give him a chance to break through in the highly competitive market.
However, with determination and consistency, Alhaji Amadu managed to establish the business and currently is one of the most sought after business personalities in Ghana.
According to him, encouraging the youth and elderly in the community and the recognition of his contribution to changing lives makes him a satisfied businessman.
Most important to him was the recognition for his resilience after surviving the turbulence of the financial cleanup exercise in 2019 by President Akufo Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama.
“Coming from the Zongo community to build a brand that the most important people in the country would recognise is a success on its own and has been a major inspiration for me,” he stated.
His immeasurable impact on the lives of the over 100 people employed directly with some provided a landed property during the 10th Anniversary celebration of the company means so much to him.
Indirectly, Alhaji Salamu said, over 1,000 people have benefitted from the company as everything he makes goes back into supporting the community.
For him, his purpose in life is to serve Allah and humanity hence supporting people in education, health, business and other areas.
Going forward, he said, the future looks promising as they focus on building social businesses that will impact on community, not necessarily making money hence coming out with groundbreaking housing policy of allowing Ghanaians to own homes without interest, with a flexible payment plan spread over five years.
That would ensure that poor people secure homes and get value for people as ‘housing is a human right and everyone must have one.’
In view of that, Alhaji Amadu is working towards acquiring the Saglemi Housing Project from the government, refurbish same to make housing accessible to lower-tier Ghanaians.
“I do not think government must look outside Ghana for people to invest in Saglemi. I have the capacity and wish government would give me the opportunity,” he stated.
Alhaji Amadu’s hard work over the years earned him several awards, notable among them were the 40Under40 Africa 2024, the Real Estate Development and Construction Category, Microfinance of the Year, Sports Personality of the Year and Banking and Finance Company of the Year in 2019.
He also earned accolades including a Global Philanthropist, One Young World Ambassador and Peace Ambassador for African Youth.
Apart from working and impacting the lives of the needy in society, Alhaji loves to spend time with his extended and nuclear family, interact with old friends, play football and attend social activities.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
