Prince Kofi Amoabeng
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|---|---|
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| Born | bendover 22 February 1952 |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Education | Adisadel College, Ghana |
| Alma mater | Royal Army Pay Corps and University of Ghana |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1982–2015 |
Prince Kofi Amoabeng (born February 22, 1952) is a Ghanaian businessman and a former military officer of the Ghanaian Armed Forces. He caused a paradigm shift in the lending industry in Ghana by founding Unique Trust Financial Services with three employees and grew it into a robust holding company, UT Holdings, with several subsidiaries both locally as well as in Africa and Europe.[1] UT Bank, which he co-founded, collapsed in 2017 during Ghana's banking crisis amid allegations that he had misappropriated funds from the bank.[2][3][4][5][6][7] He is currently subject to ongoing court battles regarding these allegations following his arrest on 14 January 2020, and release on bail of 110 million cedis.[8][9][10]
Early life
[edit]Amoabeng was born on 22 February 1952 in Bososo in the Eastern Region of Ghana.[11]
Education
[edit]Amoabeng started his schooling at Penworth Preparatory School, a boarding school in Accra. He had his secondary education at the St. Peter’s Senior High School at Nkwatia Kwahu and Adisadel College in Cape Coast Ghana before proceeding to the University of Ghana for his undergraduate degree. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in administration in 1975 with 2nd-class upper honours from the University of Ghana Business School.[12][13] After joining the military, he won a scholarship from the Ministry of Defence to pursue a course at the Royal Army Pay Corps, where he qualified as an accountant within 18 months and decided to return home upon graduation.[14]
Career
[edit]Amoabeng began his career in the Ghana Armed Forces in April, 1975. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in November 1975.[14]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- Lifetime Achievement for Innovation in Africa, 2013[15]
- Johnnie Walker Giant, 2012. A global "Walk With Giants" campaign.[15]
- Overall Best Entrepreneur in the Maiden Ghana Entrepreneurs Award (2011)[15]
- One of two Ghanaians profiled in Moky Makura's book on Africa's Greatest Entrepreneurs which profiles 16 of Africa's top entrepreneurs.[15]
- Ghana's Most Respected CEO for 2008/2010/2012.[15]
- National Honours for an Order of the Star of the Volta- Officer's Division presented by thenPresident of Ghana in 2008.[15]
- (CIMG) Marketing Man of the Year 2006[15]
Controversies and allegations
[edit]In January 2020, Amoabeng was charged with the embezzlement of a total amount of 59.9 million Ghana cedis from UT Bank, having been a cofounder of the bank which collapsed during the Ghana banking crisis.[16] The original charges were subsequently dropped and the prosecution intends to bring other charges.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "About Us – THE UT STORY". Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ "I've learnt my lessons, I'll bounce back – Kofi Amoabeng". Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ "BUSTED: Finally UT Bank Boss-Kofi Amoabeng Speaks | Says I Do Not Have Any Son With Mzbel". Ghanacelebrities.com. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ "Prince Kofi Amoabeng - BizNis Africa". BizNis Africa. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Book Prince Kofi Amoabeng as keynote speaker | Chartwell Speakers". Expert Keynote and Motivational Speakers | Chartwell Speakers. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ Buabeng, Albert Benefo. "Judicial Corruption: Queen mother wants case with UT boss Kofi Amoabeng reopened". Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ "B&FT Archives". thebftonline.com. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ "Kofi Amoabeng granted ¢110m bail". Myjoyonline. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Kofi Amoabeng 'summoned to court'". The Ghana Report. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Kofi Amoabeng granted GH₵110m bail as state slaps charges". The Ghana Report. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Prince Kofi Amoabeng Biography - Age, Family, Education, Net-worth, Personal Life". Age, Family, Education, Net-worth, Personal Life. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ Africa, Rising (18 January 2015). "Prince Kofi Amoabeng (CEO of UT Bank in Ghana) – My story". RisingAfrica.org. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ "From army officer to UT Bank CEO: Interview with Prince Kofi Amoabeng". How We Made It In Africa. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ a b "The Fascinating Story Of Prince Kofi Amoabeng - The Ghanaian Times". www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Awal, Mohammed (22 February 2022). "Prince Kofi Amoabeng: a true captain of industry". The Business & Financial Times. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ Hawkson, Emmanuel Ebo (14 January 2020). "Prince Kofi Amoabeng and Michael Nyinaku charged with stealing". Graphic Online. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ "State discontinues case against Prince Kofi Amoabeng". Graphic Online. Retrieved 5 February 2020.