Alhaji Asoma Abu Banda is a well known Statesman, Business Magnate, Philanthropist and Founder/Chairman of Antrak Group and the Current Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba.
Born in June 1933 in Kintampo in the then Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana, Alhaji Asoma Abu Banda had his elementary education at Kintampo and Government Boys School in Kumasi respectively.
Growing up in a family with a strong business orientation with his father in the road transport business, he started business by being assigned with buying cattle from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to Kumasi.
Alhaji Asoma Banda left for London in 1960 where he furthered his education to acquire the requisite skills to excel in his entrepreneurial journey with courses in Marketing, Management and Shipping.
He joined Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) of London as a Director in charge of Africa and the Middle East. In 1975, he went into private business and established with partners, a shipping in London, OT Africa Line and Antrak Group of Companies (London and Ghana) managing the Agency Network in Europe, Central and West Africa. Due to his leadership and business acumen, more than 146 branches of his companies have been opened in countries across the world, creating jobs globally.
He was a member of the British Institute of Directors and European Community Ship Owners Association.
Alhaji Asoma Banda made significant inroads in the transport industry particularly in Ghana and was Chairman of Antrak Air, a hundred percent Ghanaian owned Company. It was the first of its kind in the history of the aviation industry in Ghana, becoming the first Ghanaian to own an aircraft.
He is also a Founding Member and Chairman of Cross Marine Service, Nigeria and Executive Chairman of Antrak Express Limited, authorized service contractor of United Parcel Service.
In collaboration with his foreign partners, he invested in the establishment of the Tema Container Terminal also creating several jobs.
As a Philanthropist, he was instrumental in Antrak Group financing the refurbishment of the maternity wing of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in 1999.
A devout Muslim, he also constructed a Mosque at the Airport Residential Area, Accra.
He demonstrated his support for the maintenance of security, peace and tranquility in the country by establishing the Crime Prevention Foundation to help resource the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies. In addition, Alhaji Abu Banda also constructed a female Cell for Nima Police Station in Accra.
In politics, Alhaji Asoma Banda established the People Convention Party (PCP) with the help of some members and spearheaded the formation of the Great Alliance which merged with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This was during the 1996 election which had Former President Kufour and late Ackaah as Flagbearer and Running Mate respectively.
In recognition of his numerous contribution to the socio economic growth of the country, Ghana, he has received many awards, honors in Ghana and abroad to include:
*Companion of the Order of Volta by the State
*Entrepreneur of the Decade, 2001 by EMPRETEC Ghana Foundation.
*Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ghana Shippers Council in recognition of his great strides in Ghana’s Maritime Industry.
*Honorary Doctor of Science Degree (Honoris Causa) conferred by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
*Honorary Doctor of Enterpreneurship Degree (Honoris Causa) conferred by the University of Cape Coast.
Alhaji Asoma Abu Banda also served as ;
*Member of Council of State
*President, Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana
*Board Chair, Meridian Port Services Ltd.
*Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Board Member
*Ghana Maritime Authority Board Member
*Shippers Council Board Member
*Ghana Airways Board Member
*Cal Bank Board Member
*Member, Board of Trustees at Ghana College of Physician and Surgeons.
*CFAO Ghana Limited Board Member
*Member, Board of Trustees of Ghana Police Trust Fund
*Board Member of BUSAC Fund (Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund) by DANIDA amongst others.
Congratulations to this magnate on all that he has achieved, his impact on many lives and legacy.
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