Ntim Afriyie

16/02/2026

As a follow-up to my immediate previous article, I double down with a case study showing how collaboration at the production level and industry level accelerates regional trade as a complement to policy.

Here, I share the story of two more diasporans seeking to bridge the energy gap in Sierra Leone while also looking at Africa as their potential market.

Lastly, I also discuss how the Sierra Leone government can leverage this great opportunity to meet its energy goals.

Read here https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/charcoal-answer-sierra-leones-energy-crisis-ntim-afriyie-h9w7f

Thank you Nyakeh Charley & Dr. Jean-Marc J. Ndame / Anesthetist, DNP, CRNA, FNP-C for the great collaboration.

The Story of how two Diasporans Look to Transform the Charcoal Industry in Sierra Leone and West Africa. Introduction From the land of the Lion Mountains — the home of the free, Sierra Leone — in West Africa, to the rivers of prawns in Cameroon, Central Africa, comes a monumental collaboration b...

09/02/2026

In 2023, intra-African trade reached US$192.2 billion, a modest 3.2% increase from the previous year. However, this figure represents only 14.9% of Africa’s total trade—an indicator of how limited internal economic integration remains.

For context, EU-27 intra-trade sits at around 60% of its total trade, while RCEP (Asia-Pacific) records approximately 44%.

These comparisons underscore a structural challenge: Africa trades more with external partners than with itself, despite having the raw potential for strong internal markets.

To meaningfully accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), I argue that collaboration at the industry level—rather than policy alone—must serve as the primary catalyst for truly open borders. Such collaboration is central to unlocking value chains, driving competitiveness, and advancing Africa’s long-term industrialisation agenda.

Read the full article here.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/afcfta-collaboration-must-precede-trade-africas-single-ntim-afriyie-j2eef

07/07/2025

As a firm believer in the industrialization and enterprise development of Africa through vehicles promoting cross-border and regional trade, I also acknowledge the clear lapses in many of these strategies. One of the most significant barriers to success, in my view, is the deep economic disparity among member states of regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States ( ) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - .

Most regional charters and trade protocols, beyond differences in national legal frameworks, fail to propose customized strategies to address these disparities. Instead, they leap straight to top-level implementation — a shortcut that undermines the broader promise of shared prosperity.

Narrowing in on my nation Ghana, Article 36(6) of the 1992 Constitution mandates the state to ensure equitable economic opportunity for its citizens. Section 27 of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865) complements this by reserving retail market participation exclusively for Ghanaians. In line with this, foreign investors are expected to focus on wholesale, manufacturing, or large-scale enterprise — not the petty and small-scale trade that supports many Ghanaians.

Yet in practice, this protective framework lies dormant. Foreigners participate freely across all levels of trade, undermining local livelihoods. Our systems — from immigration controls to national identity enforcement — have been rendered toothless. This creeping intrusion into Ghana’s economic base has real consequences: rising living costs, displacement of local traders, and a growing disconnect between policy and practice.

While I remain a strong advocate for regional trade integration, I urge Ghana and other member states to resolve these contradictions. We must enforce existing laws, update those that have aged, and negotiate regional reforms that protect party states without stalling integration. Only then can we implement the African Continental Free Trade Area meaningfully — from the ground up.

20/06/2025

I spent my Friday afternoon listening to Mr. Stephen Owusu, CEO of HDG Inc., speak passionately about his groundbreaking project—Airport City, Kumasi—during its official sod-cutting ceremony.

To say I’m proud is an understatement.

Kumasi—Ghana’s cultural soul, a symbol of historic resistance, and the capital of Asante, a 300-year-old kingdom—was once a pioneer in urban planning and architecture in mid and late 1900s. Today, that legacy is stirring once again.

It is time for Kumasi to reclaim the glory its people once built, glory that once drew the admiration of the late Queen Elizabeth II and thus the name the Garden City, Airport City Kumasi is a monumental step in that revival.

Located just a few meters from Nana Agyeman Prempeh I International Airport, the project is envisioned as a smart city. It will feature luxury homes and apartments, a 5-star hotel (Best Western), boutique hotels, a strip mall, a hospital, and modern office complexes.

Speaking on behalf of His Royal Majesty Otumfoɔ Osei Tutu II, Oheneba Nana Hiahene Boachie-Adjei Woahene II stressed the importance of Kumasi and Asanteman reclaiming their role as a powerhouse of industry and enterprise for central and northern Ghana. With a completion target of just two years, he launched the project in the name and spirit of the King.

I’m honored to have witnessed this historic moment—and I look forward to seeing more of such transformative initiatives rise in the great capital of the Asante Kingdom.

29/05/2025

A poem of mine I would like to share.

18/04/2025

15th April this year marked the beginning of what could become a landmark case for branding and the creative arts industry in Ghana — and possibly the world. Sarkodie, one of Ghana’s most celebrated musicians, filed a lawsuit against Ecobank, an international banking giant, arguing among other things that a promo image the bank used was a breach of his intellectual property and a violation of the Protection Against Unfair Competition Act, 2000 (Act 589).

Here’s the twist: it wasn’t even a direct image of him. The promo featured a man who looked unmistakably like Sarkodie — same haircut, same beard trim, same black shades — with the tagline, “Looks can be deceiving.” The irony? It wasn’t deceiving at all. Everyone saw Sarkodie.

Now, I’ll say this — I’m no lawyer. But this is easy money if Sarkodie plays it right. From where I stand as a brand strategist, there are three clear steps to make the case:

Prove that he has a distinct identity
Prove that the identity is widely recognized
Prove that the identity has economic value

To get there, let’s define a few key terms.

Brand
A brand, simply put, is the identifying or differentiating factor of a product. The iPhone is the product — Apple is the brand. Dell is the brand — the laptop is the product. In some cases, identical products are marketed under different brand names for strategic reasons.

Brand Identity
This is the complete set of elements — visual, verbal, behavioral — that come together to distinguish a brand from others in the market. These are carefully curated to create a unique image and presence.

Take FanMilk, for example: its blue-and-white logo, the iconic bicycle with the front bucket, the nostalgic sound of the “Porpi” bell — all of that isn’t just branding, it’s identity. It’s memorable. It’s emotional. And it’s defensible.

In Sarkodie’s case, his brand identity includes his image, his appearance, his logo, his voice, and even his signature “Huhh!” ad-lib. All these work together to form a consistent, recognizable brand.

Branding
Branding is the act of consistently applying the brand identity across all communication and touchpoints. When done well, branding transforms a product into a brand. And when it’s done consistently, even unregistered elements — a logo, a color, a sound, a hairstyle — may qualify as trademarks through usage and recognition, even without formal registration.

Sarkodie: Identity, Branding & Recognition
Let’s now examine how all this applies to Sarkodie — and how it helps him win.

1. Identity
Ghana has a vibrant music scene with many rappers, but Sarkodie stands apart. Over the years, he has carefully maintained a consistent visual identity: a clean, high-top fade haircut, neatly trimmed beard, and black sunglasses. By themselves, these might be generic. But together — repeated over more than a decade — they have become a signature look.

This look has become so tied to him that even illustrations — like ’s drawing featured in the promo — trigger instant recognition. During last year’s viral “lookalike” wave, many of the lookalikes were only identifiable because of these exact brand elements.

2. Proving Identity & Brand Recognition
This is where things get technical — but in Sarkodie’s favor.

He could conduct a brand audit — not for marketing, but for legal reinforcement. Show a sample group images of the promo art, the drawing, or pictures of his lookalikes and ask: “Who does this remind you of?”

Recognition rates would likely be extremely high — which strengthens the argument that the promo image clearly evokes his brand.

Importantly, under the Protection Against Unfair Competition Act, Sections 1 and 2 protect trademarks, business identifiers, and celebrities. Sarkodie qualifies on all three fronts.

3. Economic Value of the Brand
Sarkodie’s brand is more than an aesthetic — it’s a business asset.

His image has helped him land major endorsements — including his current role as brand ambassador for First Bank, and previous collaborations with Standard Chartered. His brand translates into ticket sales, streaming revenue, merchandise, and even emotional capital like relatability and loyalty.

Once it’s proven that his image and identity have clear economic value, any unauthorized use — especially if it’s misleading — falls under unfair competition as defined by Sections 1 through 4 of the Act.

Conclusion
Sarkodie’s side-fades with a high top, dark sunglasses, and trimmed beard are not just a style — they’re brand identity elements. These features have achieved deep recognition and hold significant economic value. As such, they function as trademarks.

Combined with his celebrity status, Sarkodie is well within his rights to pursue this case under the Protection Against Unfair Competition Act, 2000.

A Note
Again, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t pretend to speak on legal matters. But this case sits at the intersection of branding, creative identity, and commercial value — and that’s a conversation worth having.

Feature Picture by: https://www.instagram.com/excusemyart/

18/03/2025

Championing Innovation Through Regulation: Lessons from Dr. John Obeng Apea (Head of Mission, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, CEO E-Transact)

Listening to Dr. John Obeng Apea on Joy News as he reflected on his journey—from his time at e-Tranzact and his on-screen days (Home Sweet Home) to his recent appointment as Head of Mission, Ghana, for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council—one statement stood out to me during his discussion on enterprise development and investment promotions:
"Innovation is disruptive."

That single thought sent me down a rabbit hole of reflection. Ghana’s path to prosperity has often been delayed—or in some cases, completely obstructed—by our hesitancy toward change and innovation. While other economies rapidly evolve by leveraging tailored strategies in tourism, technology, education, and healthcare, we struggle with systemic inertia.

The reality is that disruption is inevitable, but can be navigated. With the right legal frameworks, innovation doesn’t have to be stifled—it can be guided and optimized.

The Challenge: Innovation vs. Regulation
As someone who played a key role in Phaloc Inc. and later Mobisure Limited, I’ve seen firsthand how regulatory gaps can cripple innovation. Phaloc was ahead of its time, yet its biggest challenge wasn’t market demand—it was the absence of any legal framework to support its implementation. Instead of scaling, we spent more time-solving regulatory obstacles, often working with outdated or nonexistent policies. By the time Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah launched the e-Pharmacy platform in July 2022, the Phaloc Inc. team had already disbanded, burned out from navigating a system that wasn’t ready for us.

Mobisure Limited faced similar hurdles, but thanks to the unwavering resilience of its founder and CEO, Gideon Frimpong, it found an emerging framework under the National Insurance Commission, Ghana's insuretech's sandbox—a rare case of regulatory evolution aligning with innovation.

The Way Forward: A "Disruptors Law"
If Ghana is serious about fostering enterprise development and investment, we must create a special dispensation for innovation—a legal structure that allows disruptive ideas to thrive without being prematurely stifled by outdated regulations.

I propose the establishment of a "Disruptors Law"—a policy designed to:
1. Provide legal protection for innovation-driven ventures, allowing them to operate within controlled regulatory sandboxes.
2. Encourage constant stakeholder engagement between innovators, government, and regulators to co-develop forward-thinking policies.
3. Develop adaptive frameworks that evolve alongside emerging industries instead of lagging behind them.

Ghana has the talent, creativity, and ambition. But without a proactive approach to regulating innovation, we risk losing our brightest minds and most transformative ideas to environments that welcome, rather than hinder, disruption.

Let’s chart a path where innovation isn’t just tolerated but actively enabled.

I call on platforms like Brif Africa , Building Bytes to lead these conversations. Also, I use this opportunity to congratulate Dr. John Obeng Apea on his recent appointment.

05/03/2025

Following the National Economic Dialogue closely, one thing became abundantly clear: Ghana has the talent and intellect needed to drive national progress. The challenge is not a lack of ideas—it is a lack of will.

The collective commitment to our own initiatives in pursuit of national prosperity is largely absent. Nationalism, patriotism, and communal spirit have eroded, and without them, the resolve to build a stronger, more prosperous Ghana remains weak.

Beyond economic strategies, there must be deliberate conversations on these deeper issues—identifying the root causes of this detachment and exploring ways to rekindle a sense of national responsibility and shared purpose.

04/03/2025

Owning a VW Passat for seven years means paying close attention to maintenance. One rule: only specialized VW mechanics should work on it.

One day, after noticing a fault, I called my dedicated mechanic to pick up my car from my office in Haatso. I would have taken it myself, but his shop in Dansoman was too far. Fearing the issue would worsen, I parked the car and kept urging him to come. Each time, he promised, only to later say, “Pressure o.” Frustrated, I had no choice but to wait.

I considered switching to another specialist but recalled the complications from past attempts. That realization hit me—my mechanic held a value that made him indispensable to me.

Value, I realized, is not just about worth but about who assigns it—the client, customer, or market. Even US$1 billion is worthless if no one needs it.

As startup owners, we sometimes let passion cloud judgment, neglecting market analysis. Business exists because of demand, and what the market values is what sells. Many fail simply because they ignore this reality.

Market analysis should always be the first step in product or service development. Understanding what the market values allows you to develop and communicate true worth. When you provide real value, you have a business.

At Euphrates Agency, we build brands by conducting comprehensive market analysis, ensuring strong foundations and effective strategies.

Let’s help you create a brand the market truly values.

15/02/2025

Had an incredible time reconnecting with my former classmates, MABCM ’24 of , at in East Legon.

We immersed ourselves in a creative painting session, where we were challenged to abstractly express our journeys as emerging leaders.

My piece reflects my unwavering love for God, the steadfast role of family in my growth, and the cloud of witnesses anticipating the fulfillment of God’s purpose for my life.

Looking forward to many more moments like this!

&family

11/02/2025

Consistency Over Peculiarity

As brand strategists, we often preach the power of peculiarity, urging brands to carve out distinct identities to enhance their market performance. While this is undeniably true, establishing a unique visual and verbal identity—anchored in a well-crafted strategy—is merely the first step.

Yesterday, during a conversation with my good friend Mo_Babaginda our discussion on branding took an interesting turn. Despite my firm belief in peculiarity, I found myself challenging its dominance in the branding equation. Consider this: a simple black dot has no inherent uniqueness. Yet, any brand can adopt that dot and, through consistent use, make it unmistakably its own—not because of its peculiarity, but because of its unwavering presence.

To drive home my point, I turned to a third friend who was with us and asked, “What comes to mind when I say ‘Apple’?” Without hesitation, he referenced the American tech giant. I laughed and followed up, “Ei, God created the apple, and yet the first thing you think of isn’t nature, but a brand that isn’t even 50 years old?”

This, right here, is the power of consistency. Apple Inc. has so relentlessly aligned itself with its brand identity that it has overridden “natural order” in the minds of consumers. Expectedly, Mo_Babaginda agreed and even expanded on the thought.

You see, brand development is about setting the foundation—defining principles, positioning, and identity. But branding? Branding is the disciplined, consistent pursuit of those principles. It’s about telling people who you are and ensuring that message remains unshaken. The goal is to be known for something, and that recognition must be cultivated through relentless consistency—free from detours, inconsistencies, and mixed messaging.

So yes, as a brand strategist, my advice is this: prioritize consistency over peculiarity.

— Ntim Afriyie