Wednesday, November 5, 2025
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Useless Column with Mawuli Zogbenu: ‘No spectacles for husbands and wives?’

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Ei! Is that the feeling when one is approaching age 50? This morning I woke up and I was feeling fine. I drove to work, went for a meeting and came back and all of a sudden I felt some sharp pain on my right butt – that pain that one experiences when some nurses give you painful injections especially if it was chloroquine.

I asked myself who could have done this to me – pain without provocation? Greetings o, Chairman-General Efogan Kwame S.K! You advised us years back to prepare for moments like this when we hit the 5th floor or about to.

The reality is dawning on me now, Efogan. Occasionally when I wake up from bed, I experience pains in my sobo (calf) as if I have gone to play football. Sometimes it would last for a brief moment and other times too it would take a bit much longer. Food supplements products too, you won’t know which ones to believe because some are just gimmicks!

When we were kids, the way our parents and senior siblings lied to us er. I am sure you also had those scary experiences before. At Christian Village cemetery just on the way to Dome Pillar 2 is the location of the community cemetery. The whole area used to be a very thick bushy area and children got scared walking past the cemetery.

I still don’t know what we were afraid of. ‘Powerless’ people underground including my late father yet we were scared for nothing. There was this time I mistakenly pointed to the cemetery while walking with my big brother, Abraham. Hell broke loose; he asked me to bite my finger three times or else…I didn’t want to hear the consequences. I think that is where I developed the habit of biting my fingernails ‘by hat’ to date.

Good morning o, my Sister-in-Law, Daavi Hadiza, Deputy Editor of The Mirror newspaper. Didn’t you believe it when you were a kid and were told that when you mistakenly swallow an orange seed, it will germinate on your head? Hahaha!

It’s weekend again and the ‘useless’ things some of us we do every day are being exposed here especially going to use the restroom with the phone to be doing whatsap. That can take you one hour! Those who don’t take phones to the washrooms use barely 10 minutes depending on what they ate the previous night. If it contains elements of laxatives, they spend 3 minute. Too much carbohydrates, 9 minutes…depending on the size of the ‘outcome’.

As for me, I had to pray sometimes after having suffered constipation for three days! The thing will just refuse to come and you need to pray to God to release it in minutes through commanding words. Honestly the blood of Jesus has been abused by some of us o. Please forgive us, Sir. Sometimes if one is lucky, one third will drop and depending on the ‘forest’ around the enclave, it either goes straight down into the wc or it is held hostage by the ‘forest hair’.

This one too requires another energy to drop it in the distin. We like too much carbo. Ah! Unfortunately our foods too are like that. Give me fufu 30 cedis and salmon ten cedis. When they ask them whether they want chicken or beef, they would say ‘small chicken’!

I got embarrassed last week at the mall when after wearing a new pair of trousers. I bent down to pick something and the next thing I heard was ‘tiaan’ –almost 360 degrees – torn! It got torn from the back to the front. Unfortunately for me too, people were around and I didn’t know how to manage it so I was walking slowly towards the entrance of the mall’s restroom just to go and think about what to do next in their washroom. Problem no dey finish. To add more problems to my trousers, a ‘too known lady’ who wanted to ‘put her lip-stick on a white paper’ drew my attention to the fact that my shoe lace was loose.

I knew that problem but how to bend down and tie it was the problem because of the risk of an expository situation. Bending down to tighten my lace in this ‘condition’ when I was already walking slowly with my legs almost together, you say I should tie lace? Auntie? The most terrifying dread was that my boxer shorts could also not cover up things for me because of the gaping holes in it. That boxer shorts was a whole ‘empire’ on its own. Alla! Never wish your enemy this.

I ignored the lady then as fate would have it, I met an old friend who I needed to hug and I reminded myself to do so with decorum and super extra care. Laughing or attempting to do so could expose me. Eeeeeeei! This thing er. Hmmmm! Not too different from when a man finishes urinating and attempts to zip up and the zip holds the skin of the ‘distin’ especially if the trouser is jeans trousers – the Togoh ones! As to whether to zip down or zip up to be able to come out of that ‘prison’, it requires immediate calculations to find X!

Whichever way you choose, you woul would feelo! Ajeish! I just felt it. Hahahahaha!

So the Black Stars played this week and won. I am happy. Let’s leave the rest for God. We will continue winning after all, is it not biblical to proclaim that ‘I am strong’ knowing very well that you are weak. Gone were the days Kobla Yeboah, (one of my most respected Ghanaian personalities) in a commentary during a Ghana-Japan soccer match in the very early 1990’s or so would communicate it this way on: “Hishimoto passes the ball to Yakamoto; the two motos are moving into Ghana’s 18 box.

One moto has overtaken the other moto. Unfortunately I cannot see which of the motos has overtaken the other moto but certainly one moto is ahead…..oh nooo; he wasted a good chance to score Ghana; we are lucky”. Soccer was just a delight to watch those days even on black and white screen. I think Ghana won that match; it was the grand finale.

Anyway, what did I even want to say? Ooooooh, please remind me la, ah!

One of the things I hated and never wanted to happen to me was to wear spectacles. In 2012 when the doctor says I should start wearing a pair of spectacles, I protested. In fact, I took it but never wanted to use it. Ten years on and I can’t read anything if there is no pair of medicated spectacles around. My wife knows the ‘weakness’ so anytime she needs my attention in the night, she hides my spectacles because without it, there is no way I could be doing ‘useless’ whatsapp video calls.

Come to think of it, I think that there should be a law to ban husbands and wives from wearing spectacles. During broad day light, we are unable to see everything clearly without spectacles but in the night when the lights are off and we are in bed together, we see ‘everything’ crearrrr! God is wonderful. I think this was made possible after Jesus had turned water into wine. In the dark, we can see without spectacles but in broad day light, we see nothing. The irony of life. Hmmmm!

Have a great weekend and respect everyone including your detractors because it is only your detractors that make you progress. As for your friends, it is okay to get them to keep you in your comfort zone but with your enemies [some of whom do not exist], you strive harder to develop yourself and by so doing…you would thank your enemy later. Trust me, without the [perceived] enemy, I don’t think you would stay awake till 12 midnight for Miracles Awa! You would thank your enemies later because they are the ones who keep you moving and also make sure that the manufacturers of anointing oil are making profit! Amen? If you like don’t say amen er. Be there. Bye byeeeeeee!

Wheel of Life Series by LadySam: Purpose, power, and presence: How to elevate your life, career, and calling for the rest of 2025

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As the year end is approaching, many of us think about resolutions, goals, and what’s next. But real change isn’t about wishing for a better year — it’s about working for it. It’s about showing up fully in your purpose, walking in your power, and stepping into your presence.

Purpose is the compass. It keeps you moving even when the path seems unclear. Power is the fuel — your confidence, skills, and faith in your abilities. And presence is the impact you leave — how you show up in your relationships, work, and yourself. When all three align, transformation happens naturally.

In my coaching at SHIMEI Solutions, I guide women to identify their purpose first. Too often, we chase goals that are not ours, and the result can be frustrationing. Knowing your why changes everything — it informs the choices you make, the habits you build, and the vision you create.

Once the purpose is clear, power follows. This isn’t about dominating a room; it’s about owning your skills, trusting your intuition, and taking action despite fear. I’ve seen women discover courage they didn’t know they had, start businesses, speak confidently in meetings, or take bold steps toward personal growth — all because they tapped into their power.

Presence is the final piece. It’s how your purpose and power manifest in everyday life. It’s showing up authentically, leading with and inspiring others through your example. Presence is also about energy — how you make people feel when they’re with you and the legacy you begin to create.

One of the most effective tools I use with my clients and in my vision board workshops is visualisation. Mapping out your goals, imagining success, and creating a roadmap turns abstract dreams into tangible plans. Next year, imagine looking back and seeing all that you’ve accomplished because you deliberately aligned purpose, power, and presence.

If you want to elevate your life, career, and calling, start by asking yourself three questions:

1.What is my purpose, and does my life reflect it?

2. How am I stepping into my power every day?

3. What kind of presence do I want to leave in the world?

The answers to these questions are the foundation for a transformative year. And the great news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Through SHIMEI Solutions’ coaching programmes, vision board workshops, and online webinars, women across Africa and beyond are learning to step into their best selves — intentionally, confidently, and powerfully.

The remainder of 2025, leading to 2026, can be your year of clarity, growth, and impact. It’s time to show up fully, live boldly, and create a life that reflects your highest potential.

Me and My Jazz with Yomi SOWER (Episode 3): From trashy to classy: How Jazz became a high class status symbol (Part 1)

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The man picked up the IPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra one after the other. He examined each of them critically, then laid them carefully back unto the counter. He was Eli’s 10th Customer.

Eli had applied every marketing tactic his boss had taught him on this customer, hoping the man would at least start a negotiation or make an offer. The man did neither. Instead he said “…Yeah thanks” sounding unimpressed, and turned to leave the shop.

Eli’s heart sunk. He had been optimistic when the man walked in earlier: Late 50s, dressed in Bermuda Shorts, Polo T-shirt and sports sandals speaking with an American accent. “..Surely a member of the Diaspora ready to spend his recently converted dollars to cedis,” Eli had fantasied. Only now that his back was turned to leave, did reality sink into Eli senses, that he had failed yet again to make a sale and it was now 4.35PM on a Saturday.

But suddenly the man stopped in his tracks, lowered his head slightly and began nodding slowly, then he turned in the direction of Eli and asked ” Who’s that?”. Eli had his radio tuned to Maximum Jazz, my Radio Show, which airs 4-7 PM on Saturday. This was a complete deviation from his usual playlist of Hiplife/Afrobeatz or Azonto music that would normally fill the air in his shop.

I met Eli a few days earlier at a function I’d attended to gather content for ‘Expatmattaz’ a radio segment. Eli had tagged along with the camera crew of a TV station. Anyways, when our paths crossed, I introduced him to Jazz – a concept of which he had never heard. Eli was likely in his mid 20s, yet I persuaded him to tune to my radio show, which was structured in a manner that appealed to the younger generation as well, and he did!

The surprised American man walked back to Eli and asked “You listen to Jazz?” to which befuddled Eli could only nod clumsily, as he knew next to nothing about Jazz. “So the man started talking to me with respect and we even exchanged complimentary cards. All of a sudden the man felt he could trust me and my goods. I didn’t know that this Jazz could make high profile people like that to take me more seriously; my status automatically improved…” That was Eli excitedly recounting to me on phone a few days later.

But how did Jazz, music that was meant for low- lives, once regarded as ‘trashy’ and the ‘devil’s music’, evolve into this symbol of high class status? Let’s find out.

Jazz transformed into a symbol of high-class status through a multi-decade process that included artistic evolution, sophisticated arrangements, institutional acceptance and strategic appropriation by a wealthy, white demographic. Initially dismissed as “low-brow” and immoral, jazz gained an air of legitimacy as its musical complexity deepened and it became associated with urban elites and European appreciation.

The Jazz age – From low-class to mainstream

In its early days, Jazz was the music of the Black working class in places like New Orleans. But as it gained popularity during the 1920s, it became associated with the rebellious youth culture of the “Jazz Age.”

  • Moral panic – Many in the white middle class and elite saw jazz as a corrupting influence associated with drinking, pre-marital sex and illegal speakeasies. The music was condemned as “the devil’s music,” and communities banned it from public dance halls.

Musical development and sophistication

From its origins in New Orleans, particularly after World War II, jazz’s complex musical elements set it apart as a high-skill art form that contrasted with simpler popular music

  • Artistic depth – As Jazz developed from its ragtime and blues roots, innovations from pioneering Black musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington showcased its artistic potential. This elevated its status from dance music to a genre demanding focused listening.
  • Bebop and complexity – In the 1940s, bebop further distanced Jazz from its danceable roots. This new style emphasised complex improvisation, fast tempos and advanced harmonic structures, making it a “musician’s music” that demanded considerable technical skill and appreciation.
  • Classical integration – Over time, Jazz began to be studied and taught in universities alongside classical music, further cementing its academic and artistic legitimacy.

Marketing and appropriation

During the “Jazz Age” of the 1920s, the music moved into mainstream, but not without a complex and often exploitative relationship with white society.

  • Commercial popularisation – Despite the moral panic, earlier mentioned, wealthy white people sought to capitalise on the music’s wild popularity. The first Jazz recording in 1917 was made by a white band, which sold over a million copies and introduced a “watered-down” version of the genre to a broad, white American audience. White-owned record companies promoted these commercialised forms of Jazz while also exploiting Black musicians.
  • Niche urban markets – The burgeoning genre attracted a niche demographic of wealthy, sophisticated urbanites, often those most comfortable with challenging racial and social norms. In cities like New York and Chicago, they frequented exclusive clubs and speakeasies where Jazz was performed.
  • Exoticism and exclusion – White elites, fascinated by the perceived “primitivism” and novelty of Black culture, flocked to venues in Harlem like the segregated Cotton Club. Here, they could consume Black music and culture while maintaining racial distance, which gave Jazz a “forbidden” and exclusive appeal.

Institutional and intellectual recognition

As the genre matured, intellectuals and the arts establishment eventually recognised jazz as a legitimate and sophisticated art form.

  • European embrace – American Jazz musicians were often received with more respect in Europe, where the music was seen as a legitimate art form. This created an intellectual echo chamber that filtered back to the US, compelling the American establishment to re-evaluate the genre.
  • Harlem renaissance – During this period ( primarily during the 1920s and 1930s following World War I) of Black artistic and cultural flowering, Jazz became a central form of Black artistic expression. Black intellectuals, activists, and artists asserted the sophistication and cultural value of Jazz, forcing a broader conversation about its significance.
  • Reframing as ‘Classical music’ – Figures like musician and educator Wynton Marsalis have positioned Jazz as “America’s genuine classical music,” celebrating it as a sophisticated and intellectual art form that demands serious study. This intellectual framing helped solidify its status among high-culture connoisseurs.
  • A bridge between cultures – Over time, Jazz helped bridge racial divides, with integrated bands performing and recording together during the Swing Era of the 1930s and 40s. By the 1930s, big-band swing had become the sound of mainstream dance halls, making Jazz a widely accepted popular music

I have met people who carried an obvious air of superiority when conversing about Jazz. Some speaking through their noses in an unusual accent as they discussed Jazz legends and their discographies. Also we saw in last week’s episode, several venues/ restaurants publicise “Jazz Night” because it adds a touch of sophistication to their brand, not because they actually feature Jazz.

How about musicians labelling themselves Jazz musicians just to garner some additional respect or repute? For example, I once met a ‘Jazz trumpeter’ who told me he’d never heard of Miles Davis when I asked him.

So whether this Jazz elitism/ snobbery be genuine, pseudo or delusional, you will agree that there is some benefit to be derived from one’s association with Jazz, and my friend Eli can attest to this.

Back to Eli, the American man stopped on his way out when Wynton Marsalis’ ‘Be Present’ from the album Democracy Suites (2020) came on air. New Orleans Jazz, Swingy, fast-paced groove, fascinated him so much that he stopped to listen. He had never expected to hear Jazz in a noisy and rough marketplace of Accra. He ended up purchasing both the IPhone & Samsung phones that day, so remind me to ask Eli for my commission.

But was this high brow, upscale status of Jazz all good? Surely it had its downsides? Let’s find out in next week’s part 2 of this series. Be sure to send your comments.

>>>Me & My Jazz are the weekly musings of Jazz Singer & Jazz Radio Host, Yomi Sower. Her programme Maximum Jazz airs on Saturdays 4-7PM on Ghana’s Guide Radio 91.5FM. She is a Professional Voice Coach also offering Vocal Jazz Tuition @YomiSower -Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X  and E- mail: [email protected]

Tamale residents applaud Cowbell for annual bike caravan

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Cycling enthusiast and residents of Tamale have commended Promasidor Ghana, through its flagship brand Cowbell, for its commitment to annual bike caravan, raising awareness on healthy living, wellness, environmental sustainability, cleanliness and awarding deserving cyclists who collected empty sachets of Twisco and Cowbell.

The 20-km fun and non-competitive race, which hosted over 740 passionate cyclists in Tamale and surrounding communities, started from the Jubilee Park to the Central Market, Sakasaka Road, Agric Traffic Light, Aliu Mahama Stadium, Lamashegu Roundabout, Tamale Teaching Hospital and back to the Jubilee Park.

A 46-year-old cyclist, Abdallah Natogmah, was full of praises for Cowbell’s consistency in projecting cycling and fun activities in Tamale. “Every year, I participate in the Cowbell Bike Caravan to stay fit and very healthy. I highly commend the Cowbell brand.”

Having collected 2,135 empty sachets of Twisco and Cowbell to bag the grand prize in the bike caravan, the young Awal Yahaya said: “The Cowbell team came to our school to invite us to partake in the caravan and also come along with empty sachets to win some prizes. I am glad my family’s usage of Twisco and Cowbell made it possible for me to bring in over 2000 entries to win a brand-new mountain bicycle. Thank you to Cowbell and Twisco.”

On his part, Promasidor Ghana’s Marketing Manager, Michael Hagan, congratulated all participants for taking part in this year’s cycling event, with some lucky cyclists being rewarded with mountain bicycles, shopping vouchers, hampers and more. “Cowbell has been coming to Tamale yearly with the bike caravan to promote healthy lifestyles and good nutrition daily. The cycling culture in Tamale and upnorth is commendable and we are using this platform to urge cyclist to be more safety-conscious while on the road.”

The participants were energised and hydrated throughout the 20-km course by Twisco Chocolate drink creamed with Cowbell.

How I Chose My Mentor: The Man I Call Sensei.

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Sensei & Me

I have found a mentor. Not a cheerleader, not a consultant, not a coach: a mentor. Someone whose presence, though infrequent in conversation, remains constant in thought. Someone whose words weigh heavily and linger until I am compelled to live up to them.

I call him Sensei. It feels fitting. Not because I study under him formally, but because I am learning and sometimes unlearning lessons that reach far beyond business. At my stage in life, I find that just as important as entrepreneurial success are activities like spending time with my young daughters, grounding myself, balancing family life between continents, and the effort to grow roots as deeply as I pursue growth.

These days, fulfilment isn’t measured solely in financial milestones but also in presence, in being there for moments that don’t make the news but matter to the people. There’s also the weight of social impact and community engagement, mentoring others, supporting institutions that build capacity, and serving as part of something larger than myself. The seasons of ambition evolve, and what was once all about expansion now feels more about balance, a balance between building and belonging, between the noise of achievement and the silence of gratitude.

I thought about all this before making my move.

Finding the Mentor You Don’t Have to Chase

Mentorship, at least the way it’s glamorised today, is often about chasing opportunities. People spend years trying to “get in the room” or “build proximity” to someone successful. But in reality, mentorship starts with resonance, not access. You know you’ve found the right person when their perspective disrupts your thinking, long before they ever call you by name.

For me, that person came in the form of a conversation that didn’t flatter my ambition but tested it. A long but not too long time ago, I presented my plan, my meticulously prepared, beautifully bound, over one hundred pages of blofo and projections and strategy and plenty things to this man who’s leading one of Ghana’s most prominent institutions. To me, it made sense, and he reaffirmed the logic within my presentation, so I was high on “this is going great!”.

Instead, he said at the end, very calmly and with a smile, “This is good, but it’s not going to work.”

OUCHHHH!!! Where did that come from? That sentence stayed with me. He agreed my submission made sense, so why? Well, I realised later, and in the months that followed, that he had nothing to gain from saying that. He had no stake in the outcome. No reason to spare my feelings. And yet, he offered his time when I asked, an hour on a busy weekday on Zoom, to help me see what I was missing together with Western partners. I walked away thinking: this is someone who tells the truth, because he did not need to do this call the way he did.

In Sensei, I have a young, brilliant man in a powerful position (him) who chose to be kind to a stranger (me). He is the mentor who just fits for me. Another might for you. But my Sensei fits me. I had to have that conversation with him.

Sensei’s Traits I Considered

Let me generalise it so you can relate.

Find someone who has built what you want. If they haven’t done it, they can’t teach it. Don’t ask the unfree how to be free. Don’t ask someone who doesn’t value time with his kids how to spend valuable time with your little kids.

My mentor has walked the path from the world to Ghana and back. His current disposition positions him to understand what it means to build a business, to operate at the highest levels, to fail publicly, and to rise privately. He knows what it means to be a son of the land, to thrive abroad, and to return home to find yourself both too young and too old in your own country. He understands that in business, the only universal language is results.

His first lesson to me was blunt honesty: “This won’t work.” He didn’t overstate it with flattery. He wasn’t vague. Yet, he stayed long enough to show me why. That’s rare. Many will critique you and leave. Few will challenge you and remain in the room. Sensei had no equity in my venture, no personal interest in the outcome. That’s what made his advice precious. He could point out my blind spots because he wasn’t blinded by my story.

What Makes a Mentor Worth Listening To

A mentor is not the loudest voice in the room but the most grounded one. They don’t demand your loyalty; they earn your attention. They don’t create dependence; they build discernment.

I’ve noticed that the people most obsessed with appearing “mentored” often end up echoing someone else’s script. But that’s imitation, not growth. A true mentor doesn’t clone you; they calibrate you.

Sensei’s mentorship isn’t prescriptive. He doesn’t tell me what to do. Instead, he helps me test what I already think I know, and oh, I throw ideas at him. A LOT. I just keep typing. And if he’s to poke a hole in just one of them, I’ll re-evaluate the whole thing. Guys like me need that; we need a calibrator.

Generational Balance: Why It Matters

My mentor is young-ish, young enough to understand artificial intelligence, automation, digitalisation and Industry 5.0, yet old enough to remember Ghana’s great hunger of 1983 (I laughed typing this). That balance matters. He bridges eras, analogue discipline with digital agility. I really have thought this through.

That combination gives his perspective texture. He can talk venture strategy in the same breath as subsistence agriculture. He knows that true progress is not about replacing the old, but about integrating it with the new. I know because he did say that “this won’t work,” but he also later added, “…at least not now.” He is right.

I value his mind, for it is one that recognises that innovation without history is directionless, and history without innovation is dead weight.

What Mentorship Really Teaches You

In truth, mentorship is far more than learning what to do next. It’s about learning how to think long-term. The right mentor changes your time horizon. They help you stop asking, “How do I win today?” and start asking, “How do I keep winning tomorrow?”

My Sensei taught me that power without patience collapses, and influence without integrity corrodes. He says little, but everything he says holds. Another factor I considered is that he is a good human being. His colleagues talk fondly of him. He shares my view that you don’t need to be metaphorically cutting throats to be cutthroat. He was kind to a stranger with just one hour of his undivided attention and expert input, and that move has impacted the lives of me, my team and the MIG Ecosystem. A bad deal with a good person can work, but a good deal with a bad person will never work. I am endeavouring to surround myself with good people, and Sensei is good people.

A Quiet Word to Young Entrepreneurs

If you’re looking for a mentor, don’t chase celebrity. Look for someone whose scars match your dreams. Someone who has already paid the tuition for the lessons you’re about to learn. Someone who has receipts, not opinions on a life he has not lived. Your life is yours and yours alone.

You’ll know you’ve found the right one when they don’t flatter your ambition but fortify your vision. When they can say no and you still respect them. When they’re willing to invest truth where others invest cruelty.

And if you’re lucky enough to find a Sensei, protect that relationship with humility. Don’t demand their time; earn it by honouring their wisdom.

The Gift of Being Taught

In every field, from business to leadership and art, there comes a moment when talent must yield to guidance and ambition must be refined by experience. I’ve reached that point, and I’m grateful for it. Warts and all, I have come this far, with still further to go.

My mentor might never read this, or perhaps he will and simply smile. More likely, he’ll read this, smile and think I’m exaggerating as he murmurs “Maaaax Max!”. Oh but I am not exaggerating. Because through his actions and inactions, what he’s taught me about patience, proportion, and power has quietly shaped the architecture of the rest of my life and work.

Think about it: I shelved my “great” idea, returned to the drawing board, and relaunched MIG’s 5-year strategic plan in a way that works, incorporating all that he discussed with those Western partners during that one-hour phone call about MIG. And guess what: he missed the follow-up meeting with the partners, so it’s not like he was just giving giving giving. He was simply being kind to a young stranger when he could; that’s a good man. Ego could have made me more stubbornly double down on my ideas. But once I realised he was onto something, I looked elsewhere for a feasible plan, and guess what… I found it. We’ve had a fantastic Sheanut season thanks to this recalibration, and even though I am extremely stressed, I smile! All because, once again, someone chose to be kind to a stranger.

Thank you, Sensei!

I hope you found this article both insightful and enjoyable. Your feedback is greatly valued and appreciated. I welcome any suggestions for topics you would like me to cover or provide insights on. You can schedule a meeting with me through my Calendly at www.calendly.com/maxwellampong. Alternatively, connect with me through various channels on my Linktree page at www.linktr.ee/themax. Subscribe to the ‘Entrepreneur In You’ newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-hgCVPy.

I wish you a highly productive and successful week ahead!

♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕

The author, Dr. Maxwell Ampong, serves as the CEO of Maxwell Investments Group. He is also an Honorary Curator at the Ghana National Museum and the Official Business Advisor with Ghana’s largest agricultural trade union under Ghana’s Trade Union Congress (TUC). Founder of WellMax Inclusive Insurance and WellMax Micro-Credit, Dr. Ampong writes on relevant economic topics and provides general perspective pieces. ‘Entrepreneur In You’ operates under the auspices of the Africa School of Entrepreneurship, an initiative of Maxwell Investments Group.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Dr. Maxwell Ampong, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or beliefs of Maxwell Investments Group or any of its affiliates. Any references to policy or regulation reflect the author’s interpretation and are not intended to represent the formal stance of Maxwell Investments Group. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Readers should seek independent advice before making any decisions based on this material. Maxwell Investments Group assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.

How Interdependence Redefines Influence in Today’s World

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Interdependence

Power is changing its form. The traditional image of a nation standing tall behind its borders, projecting strength through armies and diplomacy, now faces a quieter, more widespread type: power without borders. The kind that moves through fibre-optic cables, trade routes, data centres, and remittance channels. The type of power that isn’t held solely by states, but also by networks, corporations, and even individuals.

As someone who has spent a few decades navigating the intersection of business, policy, and development, I’ve seen this shift firsthand. The Ghana I work in today is not the Ghana of my childhood. Our future now depends not only on political decisions made in Accra but also on boardroom discussions in London, commodity prices determined in Chicago, and algorithms operating in California. The network of interdependence that once linked only diplomats now connects everyone, including traders, tech start-ups, farmers, regulators, and even influencers.

This reality is at the heart of what modern political thinkers call transnationalism, the concept that power and influence now flow across national borders through multiple channels, influencing outcomes faster than most governments can react.

 

From Power Over to Power Through

Classical realism, as we’ve explored before, treated power as a contest, a rivalry among sovereigns in an anarchic world. But in this era of interdependence, power has evolved from power ‘over’ to power ‘through’.

Today, influence relies less on domination and more on participation. The countries, institutions, and companies that succeed are those that can integrate into broader systems without being consumed by them. In business, we refer to this as leverage. In diplomacy, it’s soft power. In life, it’s interdependence.

Consider Ghana’s digital economy. A local fintech app might process transactions for small shops in Kumasi, but its servers are hosted in Europe, its data analytics outsourced to India, and its regulatory frameworks guided by global anti-money-laundering standards. The company’s success is woven through a web of foreign and domestic actors, each indispensable, and none in complete control.

In that sense, sovereignty now feels more like stewardship than ownership. You don’t possess power; you maintain it through collaboration.

 

The Networked World of Modern Power

If realism was about states and armies, transnationalism is about networks and flows. Trade, technology, finance, and migration have become the new instruments of influence. The most powerful entities today, such as Amazon, Google, Visa, Huawei, or even the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, wield power not by ruling territories but by managing connectivity.

In Ghana, this has been clearly evident in both agriculture and finance. When cocoa prices fall, it’s not merely a matter of local production. It’s a ripple in a transnational value chain involving buyers in Amsterdam, factories in Zurich, and logistics routes through Abidjan. When MTN or Vodafone changes mobile-money fees, the decision affects millions of livelihoods and even the informal credit ecosystem. These are examples of economic governance without government, where rules are set not in parliaments but in corporate boardrooms and international regulatory bodies.

And this isn’t necessarily bad. Power spread across networks can foster resilience, provided the links are based on fairness and mutual strength. However, it also means nations can no longer pretend that isolation equals control.

 

The Private Sector as the New Diplomatic Actor

In this new order, entrepreneurs, banks, and investors have become de facto diplomats. Every cross-border transaction is a micro-act of foreign policy. Every logistics contract, export agreement, or ESG-linked bond shapes how Ghana interacts with the world.

At Maxwell Investments Group, we frequently negotiate with partners whose decisions are influenced as much by international climate finance policies as by local economic priorities. A farmer in Tamale growing soybeans today may find her profitability affected by EU carbon standards or American trade subsidies, frameworks she’ll never read but must live under.

That’s transnationalism at work: invisible rules, real consequences.

That’s also why business leaders must now think like diplomats. We are no longer just market players. We are interpreters of global systems for local realities. Understanding the politics of power, like who sets the rules, who benefits, and who bears the cost, is as essential as understanding balance sheets.

 

Interdependence Is Power

So here lies the paradox. Dependence, when structured well, can become a source of power. A nation deeply integrated into trade networks, global supply chains, and knowledge systems can be more influential than one that stands alone.

Ghana’s membership in the AfCFTA, its partnerships within ECOWAS, and its growing involvement in green finance initiatives show that interdependence, when managed wisely, enhances capacity. The aim is a healthy balance of economic independence and the ability to engage without subservience.

Africa must take this lesson seriously. True independence today means having the power to negotiate your dependencies. To remain relevant, you must be needed; to earn respect, you must be dependable. The nations that will flourish in the next decade are those that learn to turn interdependence into their advantage.

 

The Fragility of Connection

But interdependence also comes with vulnerability. When systems are closely connected, shocks spread faster. A cyber-attack in Singapore could disrupt Ghanaian banks. A drought in Argentina might increase bread prices in Accra. A trade policy in Brussels could alter Africa’s industrial future.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed this clearly. Borders shut, supply chains halted, and suddenly the invisible channels of global interdependence became visible and fragile.

For businesses, this requires strategic humility. No firm, regardless of size, can fully insulate itself. At MIG, we have learned to view diversification not as a luxury but as a vital survival strategy across products, partners, and even regions. In an interconnected world, resilience is the new power.

 

When Non-State Actors Lead

One of the most profound shifts in modern power is the rise of actors that are not states at all. Technology companies, advocacy networks, diaspora communities, and global NGOs now hold influence comparable to medium-sized countries.

In Ghana, look at how diaspora remittances surpass foreign aid, influencing entire neighbourhood economies. Or how digital influencers can amplify or damage brand reputations faster than any press release. Or how international think tanks and climate-policy networks now shape which African projects receive funding.

The landscape of power is no longer vertical; it’s horizontal, a web where strength depends on participation.

 

The New Meaning of Sovereignty

Sovereignty today is no longer about sealing borders but about steering flows. The challenge for modern nations is to find a way to avoid isolation from the world and to manage their interdependence skillfully.

For Ghana, this means investing in digital infrastructure that secures our data sovereignty, strengthening regional manufacturing to capture a larger share of the value chain, and developing institutional competence to negotiate fairer terms in global finance and trade.

 

Lessons for Business Leaders

Once again, entrepreneurs and executives must learn from this same playbook. The companies that succeed are those that understand the ecosystem they operate within. Power today resides in networks, not monopolies. It’s less about control and more about coordination.

Your supplier, regulator, customer, and even competitor are all part of your sphere of influence. To lead in such an environment, one must balance ambition with empathy, recognising that the prosperity of one node depends on the health of the whole web.

This is why collaboration has become a strategic advantage. It’s a survival skill.

 

A Personal Reflection: The Entrepreneur as Diplomat

When I reflect on this shift from power to interdependence, I think about my own journey. As an entrepreneur working across Africa, the UK, and the US, I’ve realised that success relies less on dominance and more on alignment. For a while now, I have wanted to align our local interests, timelines, and values across borders.

Running a business today feels like conducting an orchestra, where each musician has their own score, but the harmony depends on your ability to listen, adapt, and guide.

That’s what the new power demands: quiet authority, steady trust, and the humility to learn from those you once thought you led.

 

Power Without Borders

The defining lesson of the 21st century is that influence depends on interdependence. Those who foster trust, trade, and technology will shape the world more than those who build walls.

Realists taught us that survival depends on strength. Interdependence now shows us that strength depends on connection. In this evolving landscape, Ghana, and indeed Africa, must learn to transform dependence into design, partnerships into platforms, and networks into nations.

Because in the end, power no longer belongs to those who hold the most, but to those who can hold it together.

I hope you found this article both insightful and enjoyable. Your feedback is greatly valued and appreciated. I welcome any suggestions for topics you would like me to cover or provide insights on. You can schedule a meeting with me through my Calendly at www.calendly.com/maxwellampong. Alternatively, connect with me through various channels on my Linktree page at www.linktr.ee/themax. Subscribe to the ‘Entrepreneur In You’ newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-hgCVPy.

I wish you a highly productive and successful week ahead!

♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕ —- ♕

Maxwell Investments Group - MIG
Maxwell Investments Group – MIG

The author, Dr. Maxwell Ampong, serves as the CEO of Maxwell Investments Group. He is also an Honorary Curator at the Ghana National Museum and the Official Business Advisor with Ghana’s largest agricultural trade union under Ghana’s Trade Union Congress (TUC). Founder of WellMax Inclusive Insurance and WellMax Micro-Credit, Dr. Ampong writes on relevant economic topics and provides general perspective pieces. ‘Entrepreneur In You’ operates under the auspices of the Africa School of Entrepreneurship, an initiative of Maxwell Investments Group.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Dr. Maxwell Ampong, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or beliefs of Maxwell Investments Group or any of its affiliates. Any references to policy or regulation reflect the author’s interpretation and are not intended to represent the formal stance of Maxwell Investments Group. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Readers should seek independent advice before making any decisions based on this material. Maxwell Investments Group assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Togo,  AfCFTA Secretariat reschedule Biashara Afrika to March next year

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Togo and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have announced the rescheduling of the third edition of the Biashara Afrika Forum, the AfCFTA’s flagship continental trade and investment platform.

Originally slated for November 3–5, 2025, the event will now take place from March 30 to April 1, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès de Lomé, Togo.

The Biashara Afrika Forum brings together traders, business leaders, policymakers, and investors from across Africa to strengthen intra-African trade and deepen economic integration under the AfCFTA framework.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and the Government of Togo expressed regret for any inconvenience the new schedule may cause, while extending appreciation to stakeholders across the continent for their continued commitment and support.

Both the AfCFTA Secretariat and the government of the Republic of Togo express deep regret of any inconvenience caused because of the new development and express appreciation of the commitment of the people Africa for their continued support and patronage of the flagship continental business forum as preparations are made to convene another successful Biashara Afrika in 2026.

The Forum provides a high-level platform for policy dialogue, trade facilitation, and investment promotion, offering opportunities for both public and private sector actors to explore strategies for effective AfCFTA implementation.

The AfCFTA, a flagship initiative of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services, enabling free movement of businesspersons and investments, and paving the way for accelerated industrialization and sustainable development across Africa.

Further details on the 2026 edition of Biashara Afrika will be announced in the coming months.

Russia-Africa Expo-2025: Bridging business between Russia and Africa

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By Kestér Kenn KLOMEGÂH

Designed as an investment and entrepreneurial platform, the ‘Russia-Africa Expo-2025. Made in Africa’ held in Moscow, in mid-October, attracted state officials, investors and business people from Africa and Russia who are highly-interested in mutually beneficial dialogue and developing business collaboration.

Sharing the same platform, the participants tried to find answers to the critical questions including why do Russian entrepreneurs want to work on mega-projects with partners from Africa. For Africans, their concern was to export basic agricultural products, handmade crafts and artifacts to the Russian market from contemporary Africa.

On the other side, Russians are increasingly in search of profitable businesses across the continent, amid renewed debates and narratives over Russia’s low economic representation in the African discourse. For decades, the continent’s stories have largely been filtered through external lenses—often highlighting Africa’s development progress especially transforming as the last frontier with an economic power.

According to the organizers, ‘Russia-Africa Expo 2025. Made in Africa’ was a unique space to foster economic and commercial exchanges. The organizers described it as “the solid platform for entrepreneurs to deliberate business collaborations, expertise and innovations, and to transform ideas into tangible opportunities for both Russian and African entrepreneurs.”

It was the second edition of Russia-Africa Expo, aimed at promoting the continent’s economic influence and, at least, to project the exceptional visibility by African and diaspora actors.

In this exclusive interview, Louis Gouend, Founder and Chief Executive of African Business Club (ABC) and Chairman of the Commission for Work with African Diasporas of the Russian-African Club of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, discussed the main results of the week-long corporate entrepreneurial gathering and hightlighted Russia’s comparative stakes and perspectives with African partners. Here are the interview excerpts:

Q:How confident are Russian investors in developing the African market in the current geopolitical environment?

Louis Gouend: Russian business confidence in working with Africa has reached a qualitatively new level. Whereas previously these were fruitless attempts at market exploration, today we see a fully formed strategy. More than 200 Russian companies represented at the Russia-Africa Expo-2025 forum, not only from the raw materials sector, but also from IT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and education.

Key indicator: at the financial instruments session, Payment Agent A7 and representatives of the Russian Export Center (REC)presented specific products for the African market with state guarantees. These aren’t just words – this year alone, the volume of transactions through these mechanisms has grown by 40%. Russian entrepreneurs understand that Western sanctions have created a unique window of opportunity to reshape relations with Africa.

Q:How are trade and economic relations developing after the two Russia-Africa summits?

Gouend: We have gone from political declarations to concrete projects. Trade turnover reached $23 billion last year, but its structure is more important: while grain and fertilizer accounted for 80% of the total last year, today the share of machinery and equipment (15%), IT solutions (7%), and educational services is rapidly growing.

After Expo-2025, we clearly identify three trends:

– Diversification: from raw materials to technologies and joint ventures

– Localization: establishing assembly plants and distribution centers in Africa

– Financial architecture: developing alternative payment systems

Q:What are the prospects for African exporters in the Russian market?

Gouend: The situation is changing dramatically. At the “Made-in-Africa” ​​pitch session, 15 African companies signed memorandums of understanding on supplies to Russia. Ethiopian coffee suppliers plan to capture 5% of the Russian premium coffee market by 2026.

Russia is simplifying customs procedures for African products, according to a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. By 2025, imports of African goods are expected to grow by 25%, particularly in the following categories:

– Coffee and cocoa

– Fruits and nuts

– Pharmaceutical raw materials

– Natural cosmetics

Q:Which countries and industries were most significant in the discussions?

Gouend: The most active countries were:

– Ethiopia: as a hub for East Africa (logistics, agribusiness)

– Nigeria: energy and IT

– Cameroon: agriculture, distribution, and culture

– Burkina Faso: medicine, fruit processing, and the film industry

– Côte d’Ivoire: fertilizers, cocoa, financial services, and culture

– Mali: education and development of Russian-African women’s entrepreneurship

– Rwanda: mining

– Gambia: pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and construction

Key areas of cooperation:

  1. Energy and mining – 35% of projects discussed
  2. Agribusiness and food security – 25%
  3. Digitalization and IT – 20%
  4. Education and training – 15%
  5. Pharmaceuticals and healthcare – 5%

Q:What noticeable challenges remain, and what agreements have been reached?

Gouend: Despite significant progress, systemic challenges remain. Key among these remain logistics infrastructure, the need to develop financial mechanisms adapted to current realities, and the importance of bridging the information gap between business communities.

Following the Russia-Africa Expo-2025, a qualitative shift in the approach to cooperation can be observed. Fundamental agreements were reached on the creation of new institutions for interaction designed to make cooperation systemic.

A series of framework agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between key players from the private and public sectors of both sides. These documents lay the foundation for the implementation of specific projects in priority sectors, such as agriculture, energy, digitalization, and personnel training.

The main outcome was not only the creation of a full-fledged partnership ecosystem, where joint working groups and development institutions will ensure the sustainability of cooperation in the long term, but also the creation of a new platform for ongoing communication between entrepreneurs from Russian and African small and medium-sized businesses.

Rock City Hotel, Sanlam Allianz host breast cancer awareness, screening exercise

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Rock City Hotel, in partnership with Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance Ghana LTD, has successfully held its Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Event, reaffirming their shared commitment to community health and well-being.

The event, which took place on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, brought together employees of Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance for an insightful health talk and free medical screening led by a team of experienced health professionals. Participants received professional medical consultations, breast examinations, and guidance on preventive care and early detection.

The atmosphere was one of learning and care as medical professionals provided practical advice on breast health, self-examination, and the importance of regular screenings. The initiative formed part of the Rock City Cares program, the hotel’s broader corporate social responsibility agenda focusing on health, education, and community development.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Yaw Larbi Addo, Programs Manager (CSR) at Rock City Hotel stated, “We are truly encouraged by the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by participants.

This initiative was not just about creating awareness but taking tangible steps toward saving lives. At Rock City, we believe partnerships like this amplify impact and we are calling on more organizations to join hands in advancing such causes that build healthier, stronger communities.”

Echoing her remarks, Helen Aryee, Head of Marketing and Brand Awareness at Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance Ghana Ltd, emphasised the lasting importance of such collaborations: “The success of this program reinforces our belief that health awareness and prevention must remain at the heart of corporate responsibility.

Together, we reached dozens of women and men with vital health information and screenings that could make a real difference. We hope more companies will come on board to support these life-saving initiatives across Ghana.”

Following the success of its Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign in September and now the Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Event, Rock City Hotel continues to set a benchmark for corporate social responsibility in Ghana’s hospitality industry.

The hotel expressed its appreciation to Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance Ghana LTD, the medical professionals, and all participants who made the event impactful. By continuing to invest in the health and well-being of people, Rock City Hotel and its partners reaffirm their commitment to the belief that early detection saves lives and community partnerships drive lasting change.

ADB holds Branch Managers Strategy Session

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The Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB) has held a two-day strategic session for its branch managers, aimed at driving service excellence and setting the tone for a stronger performance going forward.

The session, which took place on October 23 and 24, 2025, brought together Branch Managers, Executive Committee Members, and senior management to review the Bank’s performance, share insights, realign strategies for the last quarter of this year as well as expectations for 2026.

Opening the session, the Managing Director of ADB, Mr. Edward Ato Sarpong, set the tone by sharing inspiring success stories from leading multinational companies, urging participants to adopt bold and innovative thinking in their operations.

“The global business environment is evolving rapidly, and so must we. We cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results. The time has come to think differently, act decisively, and lead with creativity,” Mr. Ato Sarpong charged.

He further reiterated management’s resolve to strengthen ADB’s leadership in agribusiness financing, digital transformation, and customer service excellence, noting that the Bank’s 60th Anniversary milestone should mark a new era of growth and innovation.

On his part, Deputy Managing Director (Operations), Professor Ferdinand Ahiakpor, encouraged branch leaders to demonstrate ownership and accountability in driving results. He described the strategy session as a “crucial bridge between vision and execution,” urging managers to deepen customer relationships and embrace technology as a growth enabler.

“The branch network is ADB’s frontline strength. As we prepare for 2026, we must shift from transactional thinking to strategic engagement, understanding customer needs, leveraging data, and offering tailored financial solutions that reinforce trust in the ADB brand,” Prof. Ahiakpor said.

The general manager in charge of retail banking, Frank Okyere-Adarkwa, re-echoed the purpose-driven agenda of the bank. He reiterated the need for proactiveness in ensuring service experience that delivers value and convenience for our customers. “We must live by our corporate social architecture of delivering exceptional service experience that creates positive top-of-mind customer recall and leads to repeat patronage and referrals by our customers and stakeholders,” Mr. Okyere-Adarkwa stated.

The Head of Marketing and Communications, Mohammed Ali, underscored the importance of consistent brand communication and customer engagement in achieving the Bank’s strategic goals.

“Our marketing efforts must speak the same language as our strategy, one of relevance, visibility, and impact. As we move into the next phase of the Bank’s growth journey, every branch is a brand touchpoint, and every staff member a brand ambassador,” Mr. Ali remarked.

The Branch Managers’ Strategy Session forms part of the Bank’s broader effort to ensure alignment between management and field operations. Discussions centered on consolidating gains in 2025 and exploring new business frontiers under ADB’s Beyond Banking brand direction.

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