The 2025 edition of the Most Influential Corporate Leaders of the Decade Awards, organized by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG), marked a significant celebration of leadership excellence across various sectors including banking, insurance, consultancy, trade facilitation, and public sector administration. This prestigious event recognized 20 outstanding corporate leaders for their exceptional contributions to governance, business growth, and national development. Held under the theme, “The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Corporate Governance and Economic Development,” the awards aimed to spotlight those whose work has significantly shaped industries, inspired innovation, and prompted socio-economic development in Ghana over the past decade.
The night was filled with excitement and merited recognition as influential figures gathered to honor their peers. One of the standout recipients was Fatima Alimohamed, the Chief Executive Officer of African Brand Warrior Ltd, who received the accolade for the Most Influential Corporate Leader of the Decade 2025. Her outstanding contributions to brand strategy and corporate leadership across Africa have set a new bar in the industry.
Dr. Alexander Asmah, CEO of Amenfiman Rural Bank PLC, also garnered significant recognition for his exceptional leadership, transforming the institution into one of Ghana’s most successful rural banks in the last ten years. His vision and dedication embody the qualities that propelled him to this prestigious honor.
The financial sector was notably represented by several awardees, including Dr. Philip Oti-Mensah, Managing Director of UMB Bank Ghana, Dr. Edward Nartey Botchway, Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana, and Victor Yaw Asante, Managing Director of FirstBank Ghana. These leaders were celebrated for their commitment to driving growth and excellence within the financial landscape, proving that effective leadership fosters significant economic advancements.
The event didn’t just spotlight individuals from the financial realm; it acknowledged leaders from various fields as well. Andrew Akoto, Country Managing Partner of KPMG Ghana, Michael Abbiw, CEO of MGA Consulting Ghana Ltd, and Solomon Lartey, CEO of Africa Sureties & Insurance Advisory Company (ASIAC), were all recognized for their impactful contributions to corporate advisory, consultancy, and insurance services, significantly shaping the industry’s standards in Ghana and beyond.
Another distinguished honoree was Adedamola Adelabu, CEO of CFAO Mobility Ghana PLC, celebrated for his ventures in the automotive sector. The awards also recognized Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, an investment banker and former Director-General of SSNIT, for his strategic influence in pensions and financial management, illustrating the diverse fields represented at this award ceremony.
Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu was the noteworthy recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award 2025. As a seasoned Professor of Strategy and former Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of the President, his decades-long contributions to governance reforms, public policy development, and management education have been invaluable to the nation.
During the event, the keynote address was delivered by Prof. William Baah-Boateng, the Vice-Chancellor of Methodist University Ghana (MUG). His speech accentuated the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in fostering national development. He pointed out the glaring infrastructure and service delivery gaps within the country, notably a staggering US$37 billion annual infrastructure financing deficit. His assertions reflect the pressing need for collaboration to meet the nation’s growing infrastructural demands.
Prof. Baah-Boateng emphasized that PPPs that are anchored in transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership are crucial for mobilizing capital and ensuring sustainable impact. His insights included the mention of 23 PPP projects currently in the pre-investment phase, which are valued at US$24.17 billion, and 15 projects in the investment phase worth US$2.78 billion, underscoring the abundance of opportunities in this domain.
Additionally, he pointed to Ghana’s ascendant position in Africa, ranking eighth in 2023 for private participation in infrastructure, with investments attracting a total of US$137 million and a project pipeline valued at a considerable US$8.4 billion. His remarks highlight the growing potential that exists in the PPP landscape within the country, revealing the critical role it plays in fueling economic growth.
The influence of academia was also mentioned, with Prof. Baah-Boateng illustrating how institutions like Methodist University Ghana foster ethical leaders, engage in executive training, and spark innovation—pivotal components in promoting sustainable PPP implementation.
As he wrapped up his address, he called on stakeholders to strengthen institutional trust and enhance legal frameworks, emphasizing the necessity for visionary leadership and sustainable practices in all PPP projects. This holistic view underlines the comprehensive approach needed to bolster Ghana’s infrastructure and public service delivery through empowered leadership and collaborative partnerships.
Below is the full list of awardees:
- 1. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Ms. Fatima Alimohamed, Chief Executive Officer, African Brand Warrior Ltd
- 2. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Dr. Alexander Asmah, Chief Executive Officer, Amenfiman Rural Bank PLC
- 3. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Uzoechina Molokwu, Managing Director, UBA Ghana
- 4. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Victor Yaw Asante, Managing Director, FirstBank Ghana
- 5. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Andrew Akoto, Country Managing Partner, KPMG Ghana
- 6. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Michael Abbiw, Chief Executive Officer, MGA Consulting Ghana Ltd
- 7. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Solomon Lartey, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Sureties & Insurance Advisory Company (ASIAC)
- 8. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Adedamola Adelabu, Chief Executive Officer, CFAO Mobility Ghana PLC
- 9. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, Investment Banker and former Director-General, SSNIT
- 10. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, Lawyer and Criminologist, former Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA)
- 11. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Dr. Fareed Authur, Executive Director, Intra-Africa Trade Capacity Center
- 12. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Frederick Adotey Saka, Chief Executive Officer, Vanguard Assurance Co. Ltd
- 13. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Hon. Sylvester Adinam Mensah, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana EXIM Bank
- 14. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Dr. Edward Nartey Botchway, Managing Director, Absa Bank Ghana
- 15. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Mr. Julius Neequaye Kotey, Chief Executive Officer, Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority
- 16. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Dr. Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Hub Development Corporation
- 17. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Dr. Philip Oti-Mensah, Managing Director, UMB Bank Ghana
- 18. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE LEADER OF THE DECADE 2025: Chief Dr. Doliwura Zakaria, Managing Director/CEO, National Investment Bank (NIB) PLC
- 19. MOST INFLUENTIAL CORPORATE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR 2025: Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng, Managing Director, SIC Insurance PLC
- 20. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2025: Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu, Professor of Strategy, Policy and Management Consultant, former Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of the President
