Grace Zigah
Paapa Osei, Head of Legal and Reputation Management at MobileMoney LTD, a subsidiary of MTN Ghana has been named among the most influential in-house legal leaders after his inclusion in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Ghana 2026.
The recognition places him among a select group of distinguished General Counsel and senior legal professionals acknowledged for excellence in corporate governance, leadership, and strategic influence within the legal profession, a statement by Afua Serwaa Asafo- Adjei
Manager- Communications and Stakeholder Management
The GC Powerlist is compiled through months of independent research and rigorous vetting, making inclusion a significant professional milestone. Industry analysts describe the list as one of the most credible global benchmarks for evaluating the impact and influence of in-house legal leaders across emerging and established markets.
Osei is widely credited with building the Legal and Reputation Management function at MobileMoney LTD, Ghana’s largest fintech and Electronic Money Issuer, and the leading fintech contributor to revenue within the MTN Group.
His role goes beyond traditional legal advisory services, encompassing strategic governance, regulatory engagement, stakeholder management, and institutional trust-building in the fast-growing digital financial services sector.
A key part of his leadership has been guiding the localization and corporate transition of MobileMoney LTD as it evolved from a subsidiary of Scancom PLC into a fully owned MTN Group business.
This transition, observers say, was critical in strengthening the company’s governance structures and positioning it for long-term sustainable growth within the fintech ecosystem.
With over two decades of experience across fintech, telecommunications, consultancy, beverage production, construction, and pharmaceuticals, Paapa Osei brings rare cross-industry expertise to his leadership role.
His work has strengthened risk management frameworks, improved stakeholder confidence, and reinforced ethical standards in an industry shaped by rapid technological change and regulatory evolution.
Reacting to the recognition, Osei described the honour as “both humbling and motivating,” noting that it is the second time he has been named on the GC Powerlist.
He emphasized the collective nature of the achievement, stating that the recognition reflects the contributions of the teams he has worked with over the years.
He further highlighted the expanding role of in-house counsel in fintech, describing it as a balance between enabling innovation, safeguarding customer trust, and contributing meaningfully to national development.
Osei’s academic and professional background reflects his global training and multidisciplinary expertise.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Law from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, an MBA from the University of Birmingham, and obtained his legal qualifications from BPP University and the University of Law.
He also holds a certificate in ESG Leadership from the University of Cambridge and completed his professional legal training at the Ghana School of Law, qualifying as both a solicitor and barrister.
The recognition also extended to other MTN-related legal leaders, including Pala Asiedu Ofori, Company Secretary of Scancom PLC; Nana Kofi Asare, General Manager for Legal and Regulatory Affairs; and Abena Fordjour Acquah of MTN Global Connect – Bayobab, highlighting the growing influence of Ghanaian legal professionals within the MTN ecosystem.
