David Duron is the proud co-owner and co-founder of the magnificent Lemon Beach Resort, Anomansa Restaurant and Lemon Lounge, all located in the Central Region of Ghana; and the co-owner of the exquisite multi-purpose hospitality facility, Chateau Kravin, in the Czech Republic.
He also serves as a visiting professor at The University of Economics in Prague, the Czech Republic.
Over the years, he has risen to become a respected business executive with a thriving corporate career which has seen him play diverse key roles in the growth and leadership of various enviable global brands including Vodafone, Telefonica, O2 and other Internet service companies across the Czech Republic. With his commitment and dedication to his work, he easily wins the hearts of his employers and shareholders.
His creative approach and initiatives to achieve the company’s bottom line while keeping an eagle’s eye to ensure a surge in top-line growth is unmatched, making him one of the best in his area of specialisation.
David is very meticulous with his work and is the guy you can trust not to miss the very fine details. He is resolute in his decisions and a quintessential corporate leader whose work ethics speak for him.
As a result of his impressive performance, he was recruited to join the operational team that transformed Czech telecommunications company, Oskar, from a domestic company to a global conglomerate, Vodafone Czech. He was later approached by the Vodafone Group in London to replicate the successful data proposition he launched in the Czech Republic at the group level.
After returning to the Czech Republic, his next short assignment was in Africa, specifically Ghana, in 2011. His core task was to champion Vodafone Ghana’s Mobile Money services. Relocating to Accra meant he had to undergo a full body check-up. All seemed to be going well for David Duron and he was excited about his new challenge in Africa until he was invited by his doctor for a discussion on the results of his medical check-up.
His many years of focus on the bigger picture and dream of taking on the world with his team of upper-level staff was on the line and possibly about to be shattered. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was declared not to live beyond 12 months. Though a difficult moment for him and his family, David arrived in Ghana to start his new role. At that point, his life didn’t matter much to him so started humanitarian activities to make an impact in people’s lives.
David, who describes himself as a lucky person enjoying his life, dedicated a lot of time, effort and resources to support under-privileged people in Elmina. This will later lead to the commencement of his entrepreneur journey in Ghana when he was approached by one of the chiefs in Elmina, offering him a parcel of land in appreciation to his enormous support to the people of Elmina and also to help to further the economic development of the area, which will benefit the people of Elmina.
This was then in the preparatory stages for his return to the Czech Republic to undergo a major brain surgery. David made a decision to sell all his assets in the Czech Republic to raise funds to have a major investment in Ghana, which will be left for his family should he not survive his brain surgery. With an amount of US$2million, he started the construction of Lemon Beach Resort with his Ghanaian friend and business partner Kofi Amissah on the 16-acre land offered by the traditional authorities in Elmina.
According to David, Ghana is Africa for beginners mainly due to its peaceful and secure environment; and both owners – David and Kofi – are positioning Lemon Beach Resort to become the gate to the world you will fall in love with. The resort currently has 24 rooms, all designed with a beautiful sea or garden view, terrace or garden. It has a masterpiece mix of local crafts and the modern elements which have the roots in the African culture – interiors decorated with handmade furniture and traditionally made cloths.
The top priority of Lemon Beach Resort’s local management is to assist guests to make the most out of their stay by sharing with them the places and experiences that won their hearts. Experienced guides and local Ghanaian friends accompany guests to areas rarely explored by tourists, giving them a real insight into the wonderful culture in addition to a host of remarkable activities.
These activities include cycling guided tours/bike rental, quad bikes adventure, volleyball, paintball, badminton, culture dancing performance, batique workshop, archery lesson, bonfire nights, massages and boat tour on the sea. In addition, there are also excursions to Nzulezu – The Village On Stilts, Kakum National Park, Elmina Castle, Cape Coast Castle and a traditional fish market tour.
David is on the verge of creating an empire in his beloved Elmina, where he had been enstooled as a development chief. In addition to the Lemon Beach Resort, Lemon Group has created two more business ventures; one in the night life scene and the other, a special restaurant. Lemon Lounge is a daily premium care restaurant just a few metres from the Cape Coast Castle; and becomes a music bar with a Disc Jockey, fantastic food and cocktails for a great experience over the weekends from 11pm.
The unique Anomansa Restaurant is located in the heart of the Elmina Castle, which is serving hundreds of tourists daily. Taking after the traditional name for Elmina since the 14th century – Anomansa, guests to the castle are welcome before and after their tour to a variety of delightful dishes and drinks at unbeatable prices.
The location of the restaurant is very symbolic in the history of the castle as it was used as the workshop; and from 1976 as the restaurant and even later as the Edinaman Secondary School. From the restaurant, you can enjoy the view of the local fish market and watch fishermen going to the sea or coming back with loads of fish.
David’s desire is to see Elmina transform into an industrial hub to help improve the lives of the people and also contribute to the development of the country. In a few years, he is optimistic of setting up a factory to recruit more people from the community.
>>>Chris is a thought leader in Marketing Communications, Stakeholder Relationship Management Professional and International Cooperation Specialist. Over the last 15 years, he has made tremendous impact within Africa’s corporate communications and creative arts sectors. He can be reached at [email protected] / +233 20 854 1480.
