BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The Government of Ghana is set to confer the prestigious Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Diaspora Award for Business Excellence on Alex Apau Dadey, Executive Chairman of the KGL Group, in recognition of his far-reaching contributions to the socio-economic development and his role in deepening diaspora participation in national growth.
The award will be presented during the 2025 Diaspora Summit, scheduled to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) from Thursday, December 19 to Friday, December 20, 2025.
The high-level summit is being held under the auspices of President John Dramani Mahama and is themed “Resetting Ghana: The Diaspora as the 17th Region.”
The event is expected to attract heads of state, international dignitaries, senior government officials, business leaders, and members of the Ghanaian diaspora from across the globe.
Dadey’s selection places him among a distinguished group of Ghanaians and persons of African descent whose work has had a measurable impact on national development and the international standing.
According to an official notification signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the award recognises individuals whose efforts have “significantly advanced the pursuit of reparative and social justice, Pan-Africanism, and the promotion of Ghana’s global image.”
A seasoned entrepreneur with more than three decades of international business experience, Dadey spent over 20 years living and working in the United Kingdom before returning permanently to Ghana.
His personal journey reflects the broader policy vision successive governments have pursued since the early 2000s to attract skills, capital, and expertise from Ghanaians abroad as part of national development efforts.
Drawing from his own diaspora experience, Dadey has been a strong advocate for what he terms “Diaspora Direct Investment” (DDI).
The concept encourages Ghanaians living abroad to move beyond traditional remittances and instead make long-term investments in productive sectors of the economy, while also transferring knowledge, technology, and managerial expertise back home.
Under his leadership, the KGL Group has grown into one of Africa’s notable indigenous corporate brands, with significant footprints in fintech, digital solutions, and technology-driven services.
In Ghana, the company has played a key role in the digital transformation of the lottery and gaming industry, introducing technology-driven systems that have improved transparency, enhanced revenue mobilisation for the state, and supported financial inclusion through digital platforms.
Beyond business performance, Dadey has built a reputation as a proponent of responsible corporate citizenship, with a focus on compliance, governance, and national development.
The award will be formally presented at a Dinner and Awards Gala scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 7:00 pm at the Banquet Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra.
