The Chairman of the Despite Group of Companies, Osei Kwame Despite, knows how to get tongues wagging. He appears to have monopolised mastery of the script on how to display opulence and set the agenda without opening his mouth.
The other day, it was a housewarming. Yesterday, it was the marriage ceremony of his son. (Take the guests list out and what became known as Despite’s son’s wedding could rival the British royal wedding in grandeur.) And today, it is his 60th birthday celebration.
The occasions may be different. But the reactions are often the same on social media, hairdressing salons, offices, markets and in homes.
Beyond these occasional outbursts of mixed reactions that greet the periodic showmanship, however, there is a permanent feature in conversations around a certain residential address in Ghana’s capital.
Anyone who drives or leads another on a certain street in Accra’s East Legon and does not say, “This is Despite’s house,” must be blind or ignorant of the occupant of the house. Or, perhaps, both of them already know that’s Despite’s house.
If that house is breathtaking, the collection of luxury vehicles with customized number plates has often been the magnetic field for curious eyes that find themselves inside the magnificent walls of the Despite estate.
There are often three major talking points about Kwame Despite and his wealth.
The first often comes from people who are genuinely happy for him and feel inspired to be like him. They share the videos and photos and praise him for his hard work and what he has been able to do with his life.
There is also the second group that thinks that individuals and churches should receive more scrutiny on how they spend their money than even the government to which they paid their tax. Such people say he should have used those monies to help the poor instead of using them to buy luxury vehicles and others.
The problem with this group is that their moral argument is highly subjective. The definition of luxury is not universal. What one considers luxurious might be due to their level of income. There is someone who finds DSTV subscription absurdly unnecessary. Why pay so much to watch TV? To another, however, the subscription is a necessity.
Even if luxury had a universally acceptable definition, it might not be possible to solve all problems of poverty when the rich share all their wealth amongst us. Last year, the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, challenged the United Nations’ World Food Programme to say exactly how it would spend $6.6 billion to combat world hunger.
The Director of the WFP, David Beasley, had challenged billionaires in a CNN interview to “step up now, on a one-time basis” to help combat world hunger. He mentioned the world’s two richest men: Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
According to a CNN report, Beasley said giving $6 billion, or 2% of Musk’s net worth, could help solve world hunger. Musk said he was ready to give the money if the UN agency said exactly how it would use the money.
It is yet to be seen if the WPF has satisfactorily responded to Musk, but even if that money is given, it would not cure world hunger. The rich should not be blamed for the world’s poverty just because they are rich.
There is a way to hold the rich like Osei Kwame Despite accountable. People are right to ask whether they pay the right taxes. Do they pay their employees’ salary and pension contributions? Do they comply with the laws in their business without hurting society or violating the rights of others?
Beyond these, the likes of Despite engage in a number of humanitarian activities such as the building of health facilities for government institutions among others.
If they do all these and decide to shop in space with the profits they make, one cannot fault them. Reminding them about the poor is like asking why Ebenezer Presby Church in Mamprobi has paved its vast compound when other Presbyterian congregations in the area do not have decent places of worship. (Manasseh and this his mouth! Anyway, it is everywhere, isn’t it?).
The third and final leg of the discussion which often arises any time Despite displays wealth is the stray bullet the “poor” receive from those who pass commentary. Despite doesn’t go about bragging and insulting people with his wealth like some known men in our republic with very low self-esteem.
Poverty, like wealth, is subjective. The fact that Despite has bought a Bugatti worth $3million in 2022, doesn’t make you poor because you drive a 2015 second-hand Elantra, which was auctioned in the US after an accident and revamped in Kokompe.
The fact that Jeff Bezos is worth $183billion does not make Despite poor because Despite’s net worth may not be up to a billion. The definition of a rich man in Bongo might be vastly different from what makes someone a rich man or woman in East Legon. Unnecessary comparisons and passing derogatory or unrealistic commentary on the wealth of others is problematic.
That is the negative aspect of the Despite-inspired conversations, which isn’t his fault anyway. They inflame the already disturbing get-rich-quick or get-rich-without-work attitude among the youth of today. Statements such as “Money stops all nonsense” and “Make money so that your children can also have weddings like this” can be counterproductive.
The nation was horrified when two teenagers recently murdered a 10-year-old boy for money rituals. Where do we think they got their ideas from? Celebrating wealth and denigrating people who are not rich point the youth to only a one-directional sign of success—money.
Life has no rigid formula, but it follows some set of principles. There is a process of getting to the top or becoming rich. Those who are celebrated today or display opulence today spent years of obscurity in the trenches. There are exceptional cases of people hitting jackpots and getting rich without much hustle.
There are also stories of people who have worked hard and diligently all their lives without much to show for it in terms of wealth. We should accept and teach the fact that not becoming like Despite doesn’t signify failure.
There are nobler feats in life to which people must aspire beyond the digits of one’s bank account. Success and happiness in life do not only come from wealth. Fulfilment must not be measured in currency notes.
People must know that it isn’t possible for a majority of us to become like Despite. Many of us cannot become like Despite even if we work harder and smarter than him. Despite started in a dispensation that is different from ours.
If Joy FM and Peace FM were set up in 2022, they might not be brand leaders and English and Akan radio in Ghana. Those who built their wealth from operating internet cafes have no business today. Each generation has its own opportunities and limitations. And within every generation, people have different ambitions and purposes to which God assigned them.
Beyond that, we should not define success only in monetary terms or in certain digits of wealth. I do not need $1million dollars to be successful or to say I’m rich. If I’m running for President or starting a multimillion-dollar business, I may need that amount.
The reality is that I may never make that amount in my lifetime. But would I be considered to have lived an unfulfilled life?
Not all of us were born to be as rich as Despite or famous as Osei Kwame Despite, so we must learn to manage our expectations and know our purpose in life.
The Usman Agures, the Gyane Augustines, the George Achibras and many others were teachers in a deprived district of Kete-Krachi so that some of us can come out of those abysses of hopelessness and take national and international spotlights in our respective careers.
They were not rich men or women. But we are because they were. As far as I’m concerned, they are successful. That was what Martin Luther King Jnr conveyed in his 1967 speech at the Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia titled, “What is your life’s blueprint?” In that speech, he said:
“If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.”
When it is all said and done, we will leave this world without anything. We will be reduced memory. History does not accord timeless and abiding memories to only the rich.
The Martin Luther Kings, the Mandelas, the Gandhis and their ilk are not remembered for how rich they were.
It will be good to become rich. But you may never become a Kwame Despite. But you can become a Mother Theresa, Mandela, Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jnr. in your family, community or country.
Your currency must not always be a legal tender.
Such a sensible write-up.
Thank you
This a terrific write-up!
We need to teach our kids and the next generation what exactly success means. It’s always true that we’ve come naked and naked shall we go, even if you’re buried with riches, you wouldn’t go above or below the 6ft, some aren’t even getting the deep of the 6ft. The only thing that keeps us linger in the memory of people is our attitude and contributions whilst we were alive. Our success is how we’ve been able to accomplish and fulfill what destiny brought us for. The rich and the poor would always be with us, however, riches and poverty is relative. Do I want/need to be a Despite? No, I must be myself!
Did you even read ?
Well said, always be yourself and accomplish what God has called you to do, that’s true success.
This piece revives everything human and kind. Peace!
This is a terrific write-up!
We need to teach our kids and the next generation what exactly success means. It’s always true that we’ve come naked and naked shall we go, even if you’re buried with riches, you wouldn’t go above or below the 6ft, some aren’t even getting the deep of the 6ft nowadays. The only thing that keeps us linger in the memory of people is our attitude, societal commitment and contributions whilst we were alive. Our success is how we’ve been able to accomplish and fulfill what destiny brought us for. The rich and the poor would always be with us, however, riches and poverty is relative. Do I want/need to be a Despite? No, I must be myself!
A reminder to being human. Thank you
Impressive!
Failure to find one’s purpose in life accounts for such unhealthy comparisons. If we were to know what we’re made of and what purpose we fulfil in life, I believe that we wouldn’t press ourselves so much in becoming what others are but what we’re.
Bless up!
Great and tough to realize on time. Thank you for sharing
Exquisite, absolute exquisite piece and for once, I am and will never be bothered by riches of others.
Great.
Beautifully scripted…was smiling while reading all the way through ?
Manasseh you are a collosus in this planet. Keep it up. Very deep and taughtful write-up.
Keep these in a frame and hang it somewhere, I will come buy it someday..
God bless you ???
What a great depths of apt and wit. Never getting tired of reading and learning the craft from my Mentor Manasseh. I wish every young person reads this. Of course we can’t all be a Despite or a Manasseh but, we can become the best of ourselves.
Alhamdulilah?. Inspired writing
“Your currency must not always be a legal tender”
Master piece. Your currency must not always be a legal tender.
This is great
Thought provoking ??
Exactly what I think
Amazing… waoooooooooo???????
Very inspiring write up,keep it up @Manaseh
This guy writes with a stirring eloquence and with a surgical precision. In writing this, you have
performed a great service to Ghana. It is provocative and shrewd. Thank for your infectious writeups.
Impressive
Magnificent, well written
Well composed.
God bless you for this piece, it really gives peace. ?
Great piece . Keep it up
God bless you
What a witty piece…I am elated
Another perspective is that the government capitalise on wealthy groups like the East Legon Executive whatever and similar other groups to built a productive state business relations to drive industrialisation.
A capable and visionary state and government machinery should be courting this class of business men to invest in productive sectors of the economy through such initiatives as the 1D1F
But guess what, neither the NDC or NPP governments invest in building a healthy relationships with the domestic capitalist class. If they do it’s always for kick backs and other rent seeking ventures.
So it will be the usual inconsequential gossiping and you innuendos that will follow such display of wealth. No one can think beyond their personal wealth; not even those in government!
I concur and thanks for the master piece
Well said Snr.
The fortunes of life are not found in money.
Through good times and tough times, I remind myself of all that I am fortunate to have in my life.
It is something I must do constantly.
Every morning I focus on identifying one thing I am grateful for.
Why be grateful? Because it shifts your mindset into a positive mode. In this positive mindset you are looking for positive things in your life.
This positive, seeking mindset is essential in the pursuit of success.
We each have different lives with different challenges and blessings. People and opportunities are coming in and out of our lives every day. I don’t know your individual situation…
…but I know that you are blessed.
You have at least one thing in your life to be grateful for. Maybe it is your health, a special relationship, a lucky break, or a natural talent.
You can find something to be grateful about right now if you go to the effort to look.
I know that in some ways I am more fortunate than others, in some ways less fortunate. I don’t waste much time comparing myself with others.
I am grateful for what I have, regardless of how it compares to what others have.
I am grateful,
????? ??????✍?
P.S. One thing I’m grateful for is the ability to learn in multiple ways. If school was the only way to learn I would be a miserable man.
You are so good at what you do; you couldnt had said it any better. This is apt.
God bless you for this piece
Master piece!Truly i’m inspired .Thank you Manasseh for this write-up.
You’ve said it all
This is captivating and brutally honest write up
Great piece??
Manasseh and sense!
I wonder where he gets all his pieces to immediately put them together. I knew he was going to make a commentary on this trending news and he did finally but within a very short period when even the dust has not settled yet. I wish I could be like you.
Your non political write ups are more fascinating and riveting. Keep it up bro.Thought provoking and inspiring.
Great masterpiece of artistic writing.
Brought out so much to learn.
Teaching the next generation what identifying one’s purpose and success mean is a great aspect to look at.
Thank you, bro.
Oozing with so much sense
Perfect Write up. Full of wisdom and good information to feed on.
Great piece. Keep it up, Sir!
Beautiful piece of work. Everything about tax payment, enjoying your wealth, doing charity, working hard, being content and staying away from rituals and more very well captured. Thanks for sharing with us as always, Manesseh!
Spot on,brilliant write up as always.
This writeup has reinforced my view of life, thank you man of wisdom
Why is our governments not contracting you to put your excellent writings into short stories for our school kids? At least you could also be a ‘Despite’ in writing and finance as well
Absolutely philomenal, roven and encapsulating.
Manneseh. Please start a book publication . Incase you have some books ? someone should let me know.
I am not sure there can be another sensible wrote up as this ever again on this issue.
You are indeed a great man ?.
Wow wow wow…. I love this ?
Thumbs up Manasseh
The message is clear. The standard for measuring success varies from dispensation to dispensation; from one geographical area to another; from individual’s perspective to another’s. Let each dispensational group, geography, or individual group define success in its own way that is acceptable to him or her, and bring an end to the overly unnecessary standardising of success across the length and breadth of society.
Such a genius,
A very motivating and thought provoking message..
I am neither Dr Osei Kwaw Despite nor Sir Sam Jonah. I am Cosmos Ette Arthur and my 0ne Ghana cedis( 1 Ghc) is my one billion dollars. ( 1.000 000 000 $)
Thank you, Manasseh
A Moral and Beautiful piece of virtue ?
Nice one boss. Bless you
What a great depths of apt and wit. Never getting tired of reading and learning the craft from my Mentor Manasseh. I wish every young person reads this. Of course we can’t all be a Despite or a Manasseh but, we can become the best of ourselves.
But, humbled check paragraph 35 again some small to tidy up.
Beautiful write-up. Kudos.
Intriguing. May God grant you more wisdom.
A pretty write up. “Your currency must not always be a legal tender”
Amazing insights Sir. God bless You
“Your currency must not always be a legal tender”. Too deep.
Awesome piece
How humbling!
Azure, “naa Wine kamaale hɔ!”
This is a deep message for our generation. Wise and powerful composition.
God bless you
In fact, you are a great writer!
You really added on to my knowledge when I read your script.
Thank you for such thought-provoking piece of write-up. God bless you!
I’m inspired, God bless you bro.
Great! All is said. Fulfilment is not measured in terms of Currency notes. Discovering one’s purpose in life avoids unnecessary and unhealthy comparisons.
Brilliant write-up! It’s all about purpose. Without it, we’ll keep making baseless comparisons.
Very touching and thoroughly said!
NICE PIECE
God bless u for this write up.
Aptly written.
Great inspiring piece! God Bless
Thanks alot senior for this lovely piece???.
May the Lord be with you always ,Bongo Bia
Wow Manasseh. Such an inspiring and thoughtful write up. I will save it and share with my kids and family members. Thank you ?
Your currency must not always be legal tender indeed.
Nice write up as always
God bless you Manasseh.
This is a beautiful write up and sincerely it is one of the sensible write up I have seen so far for the year 2022, Keep up the good works Manasseh
Wow? This is too much. Manasseh,you already have a roll call in Ghana’s history. Im lost for words.
Food for thought
This collective pieces are so deep and realistic.
These are the pieces or write-ups you should bring out all the time, not those political ones.
Thank you very much and God bless you for educating the masses
At least, I can say this intelligent man is from Bongo!
Educating the ignorant money-minded, get-rich qwik minded.
What is Success? What you set to achieve or what you reach in life. This is where IQ and EQ come into play…..Emotional Intelligence
Deep!
Awesome writeup Manasseh.
Indeed, “Your currency must not always be a legal tender.”
Great piece
Love it . you the best
Nothing beats the truth from a kind perspective. Great write-up!
Such a thoughtful and well written piece. It should be shared far and wide. People may know, but we should all be reminded often. Your currency must not always be a legal tender!
One day, I’ll tell my grandchildren of the Shakespeare of Ghana, Manasseh Azure Awuni. Long live “The Fourth Estate”, Long live Azure❤
I am very glad to read this piece from Manasseh. If only the “ old” Manasseh will go back to the time when I can’t go without reading an article from him. Be an objective person and not partisan.
Sadhguru is not Rich but his impact on spirituality is enormous. When he dies today, he would be going home as a man who lived a fulfilled life.
Thanks for sharing this bro.
This is one of the best i I have read in a long time. We need to stop equating success to currency riches. God Bless you.