In June 2011, I faced a life-altering moment when I almost died in a car accident. This pivotal experience wove together various strands of my life, transforming the trajectory of my work. Up until then, my career had spanned roles at Deloitte, Sight Savers International, and the Australian High Commission in Ghana. Alongside my professional journey, I had dedicated over 15 years to volunteerism and nurturing young leaders through ‘Chosen Generation,’ a group founded by my friend Kojo in 1996.

The accident served as a powerful invitation to re-examine my priorities: What was my mission? How did I want to be of service to the world? Memories of supporting hundreds of young people through Chosen Generation resurfaced, as did my childhood experiences growing up in Mim, a vibrant and multicultural town in Ghana, surrounded by nature and neighbors from around the world, including Canadians, Swiss, Germans, and Irish, among others. This diverse community instilled in me a deep appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. I also recalled my father’s leadership and legacy as the Managing Director of Mim Timber Company, where I first envisioned myself as a leader, inspiring others from a place of purpose.

Following the accident, I left my position with the Australian High Commission in 2011 and, with the unwavering support of my wife, founded the Osei-Kusi Foundation (OKF) to bring hope and love to the destitute. In 2019, we refined OKF’s focus to provide educational scholarships for physically-challenged youth. The Pan-African Leadership Institute (PALI) was subsequently established in 2020, with a mission to cultivate holistic, entrepreneurial, and conscientious leaders for Africa and beyond.

My work in philanthropy and leadership development brings me immense joy and fulfillment. Witnessing young people thrive through our scholarship program at OKF and supporting senior leaders through PALI feels like the culmination of my life’s journey. I attribute my life and purpose to Jesus Christ, whom I encountered at 13, and have since committed to trusting and emulating His servant leadership approach. It is a profound privilege to dedicate my life to serving humanity through leadership development and genuine service.