Kessben Group CEO, Stephen Kwabena Boateng, Passes Away at 68

Kumasi-based businessman and entrepreneur Stephen Kwabena Boateng has died

Kumasi-based businessman and entrepreneur Stephen Kwabena Boateng, widely known as Kwabena Kesse or Kessben, has passed away. He died after a period of illness. He was 68.

Born on September 12, 1957, Kessben grew up at North Suntreso in Kumasi and rose to become one of the city’s most influential private-sector figures, building a sprawling business empire that touched media, education, transportation, hospitality and financial services.

For more than three decades, he led the Kessben Group of Companies, an umbrella organisation with interests in multiple enterprises, including Kessben Travel and Tours, Kessben Driving School, Kessben Computer School, Kessben Shipping and Forwarding Ltd., Fosua Hotel and Conference Centre, Kessben University College, Kessben Consult and the Kessben Foundation.

His footprint in Ghana’s media space was equally significant. Through Kessben FM Limited, he operated Kessben FM, Kessben TV and Aseda TV. He was the sole shareholder of Kessben FM Limited and held majority shares in Multi Credit Savings and Loans Ltd.

Beyond business, Kessben was known for his philanthropy and support for social causes. He also served on Ghana’s National Peace Council from 2004 to 2010.

His passing marks the loss of one of Kumasi’s most prominent entrepreneurs—an influential figure whose work across several sectors left a lasting imprint on Ghana’s business and media landscape.