Ghanaian entrepreneur and media proprietor Stephen Boateng, popularly known as Kwabena Kesse or Kessben, has reportedly died.
The news of his reported passing emerged on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with tributes and messages of condolence beginning to spread, particularly across the Ashanti Region, where he built a significant part of his business empire.
The circumstances surrounding his reported death, including the cause, have not yet been made public.
Kessben was one of Ghana’s notable entrepreneurs, having built the Kessben Group of Companies into a diversified business empire with operations across several sectors.
His business interests included broadcasting, education, hospitality, financial services, travel and tourism, shipping, real estate and other areas.
Through the Kessben Group, he established and operated several ventures, including Kessben FM, Kessben TV, Aseda TV, Kessben University College, Kessben Travel and Tours, Kessben Driving School, Kessben Shipping, Forwarding and Trading, Fosua Hotel and Multi Credit Savings and Loans.
His influence was particularly felt in Ghana’s media industry, where Kessben FM became a prominent voice in Kumasi and the wider Ashanti Region. His expansion into television further strengthened his presence in the country’s broadcasting space.
Beyond media and business, education was another major area of Kessben’s contribution. He founded Kessben University College, which initially operated as Kessben College, and was recognised by the institution as its founder and Chancellor.
Kessben’s journey into entrepreneurship followed an earlier career in teaching. He later ventured into the trading of imported electrical appliances before expanding his interests into multiple industries.
He also pursued higher education, obtaining a first-class degree in Economics and Law and an MBA in Finance from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). In 2022, he was called to the Ghana Bar, adding legal practice to his professional accomplishments.
His business activities, particularly in the Ashanti Region, created employment opportunities and supported initiatives in media and education.
While details surrounding his reported death remain limited, further information, including official confirmation from his family and funeral arrangements, is expected to be announced.
