Dr. Osei Kwame Despite is a Ghanaian entrepreneur and philanthropist who is one of the richest men in Ghana. But, how does he make his money?
You must be living under a rock to not have any idea who Osei Kwame Despite is. He is a household name in Ghana.
Dr. Osei Kwame Despite unlike other rich businessmen in Ghana is very reserved. He likes to stay away from the public unless it’s a gathering of the rich that you’ll see him out.
Born on February 2, 1962, in the Ashanti Region, this has been his life since Despite becoming one of Ghana’s extremely rich men.
One fun fact about him is, he is calm, generous, and outgoing. In early 2023, a rare video of the business mogul happily dancing surfaced on social media. In the rare video, Osei Kwame Despite led East Legon Executive Fitness Club members to the dance floor showing off some dancing skills for the first time to the camera.
He turned 61 years old in 2023 as celebrities, businessmen, and luxury cars flood social media as in commemoration of his special day on his birthday. On Thursday, February 2, was seen being escorted by some luxury and vintage cars. He first rode to the residence of former President John Agyekum Kufour with a fleet of cars that have left many social media surprised.
Despite’s success story seems unreliable to many Ghanaians; from selling cassettes in Adum to traveling to Nigeria and then boom, becoming extremely wealthy. TheDistin.com is here to give more details about his wealth. So, how much is Despite’s net worth and how does he make money?
Profile Summary
| Celebrated Name: | Despite |
| Full Real Name: | Dr. Osei Kwame Despite |
| Net Worth: | $800 million |
| Profession: | Businessman |
| Source of wealth: | Diversified |
| Known For: | CEO of Despite Group of Companies |
| Date of birth: | February 2, 1962 |
| Age: | 61 years old (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace: | Ashanti Region |
| Locality: | Agona Wiamoase |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aquarius |
| Gender: | Male |
| Religion: | Christinaity |
| Nationality: | Ghanaian |
| Sexuality: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Number of wives: | 2 partners |
| Spouse: | Ewurama Despite, Awurama Despite |
| Children: | 9 kids |
| Instagram: | @despite_one |
What is Dr. Osei Kwame Despite’s net worth?
Famously known as Despite, he is a serial entrepreneur who made his fortune from scratch, unlike others who had rich parents or relatives. He was born as Osei-Kwame to a low-income family but has climbed the business ladder through hard work and determination.
It is a blessing to have wealthy parents but the unavailability of such parents should not become a deterrent in your own pursuits to build an enterprise. In his own words during a rare recent interview, Despite said, “though I had dreams, I never knew, I will get this far but God has made all things possible.”
Born in a village called Agona, Wiamoase in the Ashanti Region in Ghana, Despite began life as a petty trader selling all sorts of merchandise including; music cassettes, padlocks, feeding bottles, and other merchandise at Dunkwa Offinso.
His family background never stopped him from doing something for himself. For many young entrepreneurs who may identify with him, this must be a wake-up call- your success must not be limited by your place of birth.
How much is Osei Kwame Despite worth now? Kwame Despite is one of the richest men in Ghana at the moment. He owns many companies, and his success has impacted the lives of many both in and outside the country. Kwame Despite’s net worth is roughly $800 million as of 2023.
Kwame Despite went into Bankruptcy in 1983
Only the strong-minded few are able to turn their lives around after a major setback such as losing all their investment, and Osei Kwame is among them.
In 1983, the Nigerian government deported millions of Ghanaians living then in Nigeria, Kwame Despite who was also then living in Nigeria was forced to return to the country and he returned with only, a chain-saw machine and a trident cassette player to start all over.
This must inform all young entrepreneurs today that temporary failure or setback in life should never be misconstrued to be the end of life. From a trident cassette player and a chain saw machine, Despite Group of companies now owns several companies and he attributes his height to God.
This must inspire everybody today that with the right planning, investments, persistence, dedication, and belief in a Higher Power above, everything is possible under the sun.
He is incredibly humble and credits his success to the faithful workers he’s had over the years.
For anyone to achieve this feat of success, it will be quite easy for a bit of arrogance and superiority complex to creep in but not Osei Kwame. In his recent interview, he granted Kwame Sefa Kai, Despite attributing his success to the efforts of his dedicated untiring staff and Almighty God. In one of his interviews, he said:
“Let me laud the efforts of all my untiring workers for their commitment and dedication towards making the Despite Group of Companies a success.” Despite, later advised the youth to persevere, work hard, and never give up. The life experience of Osei Kwame should be a guiding principle for many today; that success is a journey and until the journey is completed, one should never give up in life.
What cars does Despite own?
Osei-Kwame may be soft-spoken, but he is not afraid to splash his money, as was witnessed when he gifted two mansions to his sisters. He has many properties, including houses and cars. He is known for many luxury houses and mansions in Ghana. In 2019, he unveiled a multi-million dollar mansion in Accra.
Despite being noted for collecting luxurious vehicles and having a great love for exotic cars. He purchased a 3’000’000$ Bugatti Chiron in February 2022 to mark his 60th birthday, making him one of just 5 individuals in Africa who own a Bugatti.
The car collection of the businessman is as impressive as anyone can imagine. He owns a Brabus car which he recently acquired. Brabus produces cars like Mercedes-Benz, Smart, and Maybach. Some of the cars he owns include:
- Lykan Hypersport
- Rolls Royce Sweptail
- Lamborghini Veneno Roadster
- Bugatti Chiron
- Bugatti La Voiture Noire
What companies does Despite own?
Dr. Osei-Kwame is the owner of the Despite Company Ltd which is a trading company with subsidiaries in the media industry namely, PEACE FM which is the largest and the most popular FM station in the country, OKAY FM station, NEAT FM both in Accra and HELLO FM station in Kumasi.
Dr. Osei-Kwame set up NEAT FOODS LTD, which processes our local plantain, cocoyam, maize, and palm fruits such as Neat Fufu, which has become a reference to the traditional fufu. He also owns a manufacturing company ANTONA FOODS LTD, producing the ever-popular THIS WAY chocolate drink and other flavors including the Motherlac cereal for children. Despite is a co-founder of a Salt mining company, U2 Salt, which is located at Winneba.
Dr. Osei-Kwame with his partner co-founded United Television (UTV) which is the leading TV station in the country. He is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Best Point Savings and Loans Ltd, a very renowned financial institution in the country.
Dr. Osei-Kwame, a business connoisseur of no mean repute, his insight into creating job avenues for the jobless and relentless promotion of the Ghanaian Culture, has received numerous prestigious awards in the past which include an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Human Resources from Canterbury University, Honorary Ambassador of Business Entrepreneur in West Africa (Ambassador) and Honorary man of the moment, Ghana, West Africa.
List of Companies
Now, per Wikipedia, the Despite Group of Companies (DGC) has the following companies;
- U2 Company Limited (Iodated Salt Production)
- Okay FM
- Peace FM
- Neat FM
- Hello FM
- Despite Stores
- Best Point Savings and Loans (Finance)
- Farming and Building Construction businesses
- Neat Foods Company Limited (which produces and markets NEAT Fufu, NEAT Banku, NEAT Abenkwan, NEAT Hausa Koko, NEAT Dairy Products)
- United Television Company Limited
- Atona Foods LTD ( which produces THIS WAY chocolate drink which comes in different flavors, and the THIS WAY Motherlac children’s cereal )