<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Michael Abbiw’s professional journey is a compelling story of resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship and purposeful growth, spanning more than two decades across Ghana’s corporate, academic and business sectors.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From humble beginnings and early experiences in business to leading organisations and advising major institutions, Abbiw has built a career around the belief that strategy, marketing and business development are critical drivers of sustainable organisational success.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His journey began at an early age. Born in Mamobi and later raised in Awoshie, Abbiw started working at 16. By the time he completed his secondary education at Presec–Legon, he was already helping to operate his father’s corn mill business.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When the corn mill operator became ill, the young Abbiw stepped in to run the business. Although some people were surprised to see a secondary school graduate operating a corn mill, the experience gave him an early understanding of entrepreneurship, responsibility and hard work.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He later found work at a gas filling station, where he initially earned money through tips while assisting customers. His communication skills eventually caught the attention of company executives, leading to his first formal employment at Tropic Oil.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At Tropic Oil, Abbiw distinguished himself through his diligence and analytical abilities. He was involved in identifying financial irregularities across branches and began building the professional discipline that would later define his career.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From KNUST to corporate leadership</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2000, Abbiw enrolled at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he initially hoped to study architecture but was offered admission to study Publishing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He embraced the opportunity and went on to graduate with First Class Honours in Publishing Studies. His academic performance earned him several awards and recognition from his department and faculty.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beyond academics, Abbiw developed his leadership skills through student activities and institutional engagements. He served as Electoral Commissioner for the Publishing Association, participated in SRC committees and later became President of the Graduate Students Association.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His academic journey continued with an MBA in Business Administration from KNUST and an MPhil in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Strategy from Methodist University, Ghana. He also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the United Kingdom.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">These qualifications have complemented his extensive professional experience in marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship and organisational development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building a career in strategy and business development</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Abbiw’s corporate career has included senior positions in Ghana’s insurance industry. He served as Head of Marketing at Ghana Union Assurance Company Limited and KEK Insurance Brokers Limited before becoming Head of Business Development at Regency Alliance Insurance.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He later became Chief Marketing Officer at Golden Life Assurance, where he further strengthened his reputation as a marketing and business strategist.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of the notable chapters of his corporate career was his tenure as Managing Director of GGCredit Microfinance Limited. There, he played a key role in turning around a struggling financial institution and helping it become profitable.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His experiences across different organisations reinforced his conviction that effective strategy, strong leadership and purposeful business development can transform institutions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building MGA Consulting</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2013, Abbiw founded MGA Consulting Ghana Limited, a management consultancy and capacity-building firm that has since expanded its operations and influence beyond Ghana.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What started as a small venture has developed into a business providing services in management consultancy, strategic planning, research, leadership training, marketing, entrepreneurship, human resources and organisational development.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">MGA Consulting has worked with businesses, state institutions, development agencies and major players in sectors including finance, insurance and real estate.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The company&#8217;s growth has also reflected Abbiw’s philosophy of combining research, innovation and practical business solutions to help organisations respond to changing market conditions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A major milestone came in December 2022, when MGA Consulting received four significant business alerts within a 30-minute period. Abbiw describes the development as a major turning point that opened new opportunities for the company.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today, MGA Consulting continues to support organisations through strategic planning, capacity building, research and other business solutions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Leadership beyond the boardroom</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Abbiw’s influence extends beyond his own businesses. He is the President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), where he also chairs the Governing Council.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He serves on several boards, including as a Board Director of Telecel Ghana and Chairman of Securisk Insurance Brokers Limited. He is also an Independent Board Member of the Ghana Association of Savings and Loans Companies and Co-Founder and Board Chairman of the MGA Foundation.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His experience has also seen him contribute to the institutional development of organisations including the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company, Union Rural Bank and the Ghana-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">These roles reflect his broader commitment to strengthening institutions through effective governance, strategy and leadership.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Combining academia with entrepreneurship</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beyond corporate leadership, Abbiw remains committed to education and knowledge sharing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He lectures at Methodist University, Ghana, where he teaches Integrated Marketing Communication and Strategic Brand Management. Through teaching, mentoring and professional training, he continues to equip young people and entrepreneurs with practical knowledge for navigating the business environment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He is also the author of <em>Entrepreneurship 101: A Guide for Undergraduate Students (Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation)</em>, a publication that reflects his commitment to entrepreneurship education.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His research and consulting work has covered areas including women’s financial inclusion, MSME development, insurance and the digital economy, with projects involving organisations such as GIZ, DSIK, ITU, UNDP and the National Insurance Commission.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Resilience through difficult seasons</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Abbiw’s entrepreneurial journey has not been without setbacks. Some of his early ventures, including hire-purchase and microfinance initiatives, faced serious difficulties and left his company with significant debts.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2017, he made a firm decision to focus on rebuilding his own company. The period was particularly challenging, as his wife also lost her job during Ghana’s banking sector crisis.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite the difficulties, Abbiw says faith, persistence and sacrifice helped the family overcome the financial challenges and clear their debts.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His experiences have become an important part of his leadership philosophy, reinforcing his belief that setbacks can become opportunities for reinvention when combined with determination and strategic thinking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A vision for Ghana and Africa</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Abbiw’s ambitions extend beyond personal success. He envisions building a world-class blue-chip organisation that can contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s socio-economic development while participating in global business conversations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Through MGA Consulting, he is already pursuing this vision by providing services to organisations across different sectors and supporting entrepreneurs and businesses seeking sustainable growth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of the firm&#8217;s notable projects was the organisation of Ghana Digital Innovation Week for GIZ, an initiative that brought together more than 3,000 participants.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For Abbiw, success is ultimately connected to the effective use of one&#8217;s abilities to create value for others.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His journey from operating a corn mill in Awoshie to occupying influential positions in business, academia and national corporate governance demonstrates how resilience, education, faith and purposeful leadership can combine to create lasting impact.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As he continues to expand his business interests and contribute to Ghana&#8217;s corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystem, Michael Abbiw’s story remains one of determination, transformation and a commitment to using his gifts to build opportunities for others.</p>

Michael Abbiw’s journey reflects resilience, leadership and purposeful growth
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