As with richest men in almost every part of the world, the top ten richest men in Ghana are largely businesspeople. When it comes to wealth distribution, it is never even. Some people are placed below while others are placed above. This realization has brought about various questions such as: richest in the world, richest in Africa, richest in every country including Ghana.
Ghana is a small country located in eastern Africa. It is a market-based economy and doesn’t depend primarily on one product to bring it income. The country also created several policies to ensure unhindered trade in the country and an enabling environment for small and large businesses to grow.
Across the length and breadth of Africa, you will no doubt find wealthy persons, not just in Ghana, but also South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and so on.
Top 10 Richest People in Ghana
As a sister nation to Nigeria, it is noteworthy to admit that Nigeria has more wealthy people compared to Ghana.
As a matter of fact, the least of the richest men in Nigeria is richer than the richest person in Ghana but that does not mean that the Nigerian economy is better than her sister country whose economy has been growing slowly but steadily over the past decade while that of Nigeria seems to be regressing and getting worse by the day. In a descending order and As of November 2023, here are the top ten richest people in Ghana.
10. Kwabena Duffor – $680 Million
Kwabena Duffor is a business tycoon with interests spread in insurance, real estate, banking, mining, farming and media. The former minister of finance and governor of the country’s central bank started his career at the Ghana commercial bank where he later rose to become the general manager and head of its London branch. From being a deputy government of the Bank of Ghana, Kwabena Duffor was also appointed governor of the same bank and later the minister of finance. He also founded UniBank which later had to be merged with other banks due to a banking crisis in Ghana. The Doctor of Philosophy has a net worth estimated to be about $680 million.
9. The Kalmoni Family – $700 Million
This family consists of the grandsons of the late Salem Kalmoni who was a Lebanese immigrant; Jalal, Salem, Nouhad and Salah. Upon the death of Salem Kalmoni, his wealth and companies were willed to his grandsons. The company began its journey through a trading company; Kalmoni and sons, first established by its previous owner who later went into automotive thereby renaming the company Japan motors. Currently Japan motors is the sole dealer of Nissan and Yamaha and Suzuki motorcycles in Ghana. Together the family has a collective net worth of $700 million.
8. Patricia Poku-diaby – $720 Million
She is a cocoa merchant and the CEO of Plot enterprise limited. She is also the richest woman in Ghana. She first started in her family’s trading and transportation business before setting up her Plot enterprise group, a cocoa processing company. Her net worth is currently valued at $720 million.
7. The Irani Brothers – $800 Million
They consist of two Lebanese brothers, Anthony and Edmund Irani. In 1967, they began the Irani Brothers and others Ltd and began to produce wheat flour. Later they expanded into the production of pastries. Currently, their company accounts for 25% of flour and pastries consumed in Ghana. Their combined net worth is valued at $800 million.
6. Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Odaymat – $850 Million
He is also a Ghanaian of Lebanese origin. He began his career as a worker in Toyota Ghana, before he bought BBC industrial company. He then delved into the production of paint products; Leylac and Leyland, which has grown into the largest local paint products in Ghana. Rana motors and Metal works Engineering, the sole distributors of KIA motors, Leyland and Mazda vehicles, was also founded by him. He also owns a company that produces mineral water, highland springs. Truly, Mohammed Ahmed Odaymat has made a name for himself with a net worth of $850 million.
5. Michael Ibrahim Mahama – $860 Million
Michael Ibrahim is the founder of the largest locally owned mining company in west Africa, Engineers and planners and several other businesses. He studied in London and began his Career over there. Upon his return, he started Engineers and planners. He later moved to livestock agriculture where he reared poultry. He is also the owner of Dzata cement, a Ghanaian cement factory. He is also a known philanthropist and has a net worth estimated to be $860 million.
4. Nabil Edmond Moukarzel – $900 Million
Nabil Moukarzel is a businessman, entrepreneur, investor and founder of West Africa’s largest food manufacturing and food distribution company, Finatrade. Its subsidiaries also distribute raw market commodities like, vegetable oil, sugar, cocoa, dairy products, beverages, animal feed, tiles, drinks, frozen foods, household care items, sanitary and kitchen wares. Moukarzel’s company controls 50% out of 70 percent of rice imports in Ghana. Moukaza has a current net worth of $900 million.
3. Dr. Kwame Addo-kuffor – $1.2 Billion
Born in 1940, Kwame Addo-Kuffor is a politician and physician. He holds a degree in medicine from the university of Cambridge and so is a medical doctor by profession. He became a member of Ghana’s parliament in 1997 after turning out as the winner. He rose stealthily in politics which was how he came about most of his wealth. He has a net worth of about $1.2 billion.
2. Sam Esson Jonah – $1.2 Billion
He is a businessman and presently the chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. He started working at Ashanti Goldfields corporation where he transformed the company as a chief executive officer into a gold mining multinational. He is current the chairman of Scharig mining, equinox mineral, Equator Exploration limited and Range Resources Ltd. He made his wealth through his investments in gold mining, agriculture and real estate. He was honoured with a knighthood by the Prince of Wales for his achievements as an African businessman. His current net worth is valued at $1.2 billion.
1. Ernesto Taricone – $1.3 Billion
He was born in Italy but migrated with his family to Ghana and later became a Ghanaian citizen by naturalization. He heads the conglomerate, Trasacco group, which has ventures in agriculture, mining, forestry and real estate. He was named Ghana’s richest man in 2021 and retained the post upon the death of Charles Ampofo. His net worth is valued at $1.3 billion.