Ghanaian businessman and lawyer Stephen Kwabena Boateng, popularly known as Kwabena Kesse or Kessben, has died at the age of 68. Reports indicate that he passed away after a period of illness, although further details about his death have not been publicly disclosed.
His death marks the loss of one of Ghana’s prominent entrepreneurs, particularly in the Ashanti Region, where he built a diverse business empire with interests spanning media, education, hospitality, finance and other sectors.
Born on September 12, 1957, Stephen Boateng grew up at North Suntreso in Kumasi and went on to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Kessben Group of Companies.
Over the years, he established a reputation as a businessman with interests across several industries and built a network of companies under the Kessben brand.
The group included Kessben Travel and Tours, Kessben Driving School, Kessben Computer School, Kessben Shipping and Forwarding Ltd., Fosua Hotel & Conference Centre, Kessben University College, Kessben Consult, Kessben Foundation and Kessben FM Limited.
His influence was particularly visible in Ghana’s media industry through Kessben FM, followed later by Kessben TV and Aseda TV.
Kessben was also involved in the financial sector and held majority shares in Multi Credit Savings and Loans Ltd.
His connection to education was another important part of his career. He was the founder and president of Kessben University College, an institution established out of his long-standing interest in providing education and skills for young people.
He also maintained a strong relationship with his alma mater, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he studied Economics and Law and obtained a first-class honours degree. He later earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the same university.
In 2022, KNUST formally recognised his contribution to the university when he supported the furnishing of the Faculty of Social Sciences boardroom and registrar’s office.
Beyond business, Kessben was involved in public service and philanthropy. He served on the National Peace Council between 2004 and 2010 and worked with the United Nations Development Programme on efforts aimed at promoting peaceful responses to conflicts.
He was also the elder brother of Ghanaian preacher and founder of the Moments of Glory Prayer Army (MOGPA).
Through his businesses, media platforms and educational ventures, Kessben became a familiar name in Ghanaian public life, particularly in the Ashanti Region.
His passing brings to an end the journey of an entrepreneur whose name became closely associated with private enterprise, media and education in Ghana.
