“I was wealthy before music” — Despite breaks silence on his fortune

Ghanaian business tycoon and media magnate, Dr Osei Kwame Despite, has publicly addressed long-standing speculation surrounding the source of his wealth, firmly dismissing claims linking his success to occult practices, drug trafficking and other unfounded allegations.

In a revealing audio recording that has since gained widespread attention, the usually private entrepreneur spoke at length about his life journey, offering rare insight into how his business empire was built long before his entry into Ghana’s music industry.

Dr Despite disclosed that he was already financially established prior to venturing into music cassette production.

According to him, he owned about four shops in Kumasi, had built his own house and was driving a Mercedes Benz “V-Boot” at a time when many now questioning his wealth were still struggling to find their footing.

The Wiamoase native explained that his path into business began early, largely because his formal education was cut short.

He revealed that after a failed attempt to travel abroad, which resulted in his deportation, he decided to focus his energy on entrepreneurship rather than academics.

Despite said his decision paid off handsomely, particularly when he entered the music cassette production business, where he quickly became one of the most successful players in the industry.

He recalled producing numerous hit songs and selling thousands of containers of music cassettes across Ghana and beyond, at a time when physical music dominated the market.

Addressing public fascination with his wealth, Dr Despite said he remains unbothered by speculation, noting that people are free to form their own opinions.

To put matters into perspective, he cited one of his major investments — a 700-hectare salt production company that employs over 600 workers and exports salt to several African countries.

He questioned why such large-scale ventures are often overlooked when discussions turn to his lifestyle, particularly his fondness for luxury vehicles.

“If someone is running businesses of that magnitude, why should it surprise anyone that he enjoys nice cars?” he implied.

Dr Despite’s remarks have reignited conversations about wealth creation, entrepreneurship and the tendency to attribute success to superstition rather than long-term investment and hard work.