David Adjaye, Bozoma Saint John among 10 Ghanaians reshaping the world

From the metropolises of London, Los Angeles and Accra to the corridors of international diplomacy and the laboratories of NASA, a new generation of Ghanaians is breaking boundaries, building global legacies and reshaping perceptions of Africa.

Whether influencing billion-dollar industries, steering diplomatic giants or igniting artistic movements, they’re carrying Ghana with them, rebranding the country in boardrooms, operating theatres, music festivals and even on Mars.

Meet the Ghanaians rewriting the global script – on their own terms.

1. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey – At the helm of the Commonwealth

In a historic first, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey became the first African woman to head the Commonwealth of Nations. As secretary-general, she oversees a bloc of 56 member states, making her one of the continent’s most powerful diplomatic voices. Appointed in April 2025, her elevation followed a career marked by political endurance and international acumen.

Botchwey previously served as Ghana’s foreign minister from 2017 to 2025, during which she championed regional integration and led key negotiations across Africa and beyond. A stalwart of the New Patriotic Party, her experience spans successive Ghanaian governments and multilateral diplomacy.

2. David Adjaye – Architect of African identity

Globally revered for fusing African heritage with avant-garde design, Adjaye is best known for designing the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. His work bridges history, aesthetics and social justice.

Born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, Adjaye’s multicultural background informs the philosophy behind his firm, Adjaye Associates, which operates from London, New York and Accra. From the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo to Sugar Hill in Harlem, his portfolio is a visual tribute to memory, migration and identity.

Adjaye was knighted in 2017 and elected as a Royal Academician. He collaborates frequently with artists and curators to create spaces that challenge conventions. His influence spans continents – and through each structure, he tells a story of African excellence.

3. Gregory Rockson – Reinventing African healthcare

He is the co-founder and chief executive officer of mPharma, a healthcare start-up transforming pharmacy delivery across Africa. Launched in 2014, mPharma operates in 10 countries, providing affordable medicines and primary care through tech-enabled retail pharmacies.

Under Rockson’s leadership, the company has acquired major chains like Haltons in Kenya and Vine Pharmaceuticals in Uganda. His vision? Turn local pharmacies into community health hubs. But Rockson’s drive predates mPharma – he led interfaith dialogue projects in Europe and mentored refugee children before interning with American lawmakers.

Today, Rockson is building a health system where Africans no longer have to choose between quality and affordability. His work exemplifies what modern, mission-driven African entrepreneurship looks like.

4. Bozoma Saint John – Global branding powerhouse

Bozoma ‘Boz’ Saint John is one of the world’s most celebrated marketers. From leading brands at Apple, Uber, Netflix and PepsiCo to launching her Ghana-based beauty brand Eve by Boz, she merges authenticity with cultural boldness.

A published author (The Urgent Life), television personality (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) and motivational speaker, Boz also runs ‘The Badass Workshop’, empowering women to live intentionally and unapologetically. She has been named the world’s most influential chief marketing officer by Forbes and inducted into the American Marketing Association Hall of Fame.

Boz’s work extends to philanthropy – she is Ghana’s special envoy for the diaspora and an ambassador for Pencils of Promise, a nonprofit that raises money for schools in remote villages. With her fierce creativity and global appeal, she’s redefining what it means to lead with soul and swagger.

5. Michael K. Obeng – The surgeon’s surgeon and global health advocate

Obeng is a Harvard-trained plastic surgeon known for his elite clientele and groundbreaking humanitarian work. He is the founder of RESTORE Worldwide, which has delivered over 1,500 free reconstructive surgeries across three continents.

Obeng gained global attention in 2021 for safely removing Gorilla Glue from a patient’s hair using a bio-safe solution he developed. But his impact goes deeper – in 2024, he led the groundbreaking of a $50m pharmaceutical plant in Ghana, the first World Health Organization Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified facility in the sub-region.

Awarded the NAACP Humanitarian Award and named one of America’s top plastic surgeons, Obeng is proving that world-class medicine and African impact can go hand in hand.

6. Wode Maya – Africa’s YouTube diplomat and storyteller

Kobina Ackon, aka Wode Maya, is a vlogger who has built one of Africa’s most influential YouTube platforms. With over a million subscribers, his channel celebrates African entrepreneurship, culture and innovation, debunking myths about the continent one video at a time.

His series ‘Africa to the World’ has taken him across dozens of African countries, where he interviews presidents, investors, and small business owners alike.

A former aeronautical engineer, Wode Maya chose storytelling over cockpit controls and has since become a digital ambassador for modern Africa.

Beyond the lens, he mentors emerging African content creators and promotes pan-African investment. His work is reshaping how the world sees the continent – and how Africans see themselves.

7. Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu – Ghana’s man on Mars

Trebi-Ollennu is a robotics engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a lead architect on Mars exploration missions. His work on the Mars Rover and InSight has placed him at the heart of interplanetary science.

Educated in the United Kingdom and trained at Carnegie Mellon, he specialises in autonomous systems and has authored over 30 scientific papers. His contributions have earned him the NASA Group Achievement Award and made him a mentor to aspiring African engineers.

From Accra to outer space, Trebi-Ollennu is proving that African innovation knows no limits.

8. Akosua Busia – The screen icon with a global footprint

Akosua Busia rose to international fame as Nettie in the American film The Color Purple. Her acting range spans Hollywood films, European TV, and Broadway, including her acclaimed performance in Eclipsed alongside Lupita Nyong’o.

An accomplished writer and playwright, Busia uses her platform to elevate African narratives. Her training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama laid the foundation for a career of cultural depth and dramatic brilliance.

Busia remains one of Ghana’s most respected cultural ambassadors.

9. Akosua Dentaa Amoateng – The diaspora connector

Akosua Dentaa Amoateng is the founder of the GUBA Diaspora Network. She is a linchpin between Ghana and its global diaspora. Whether coordinating high-profile visits or facilitating investment, she has become the go-to person for diasporans seeking to connect with Ghana.

A former actress on EastEnders, Dentaa now operates at the intersection of diplomacy, culture and business. Her recognition with an MBE speaks volumes about her impact in the UK and Ghana.

10. Kofi Kingston – Ghana’s wrestling legend

WWE superstar Kofi Kingston made history as the first African-born world champion in professional wrestling. Known for his agility and charisma, he’s a fan favourite in the ring – and a proud ambassador for Ghana.

His Royal Rumble feats are legendary, and as part of WWE’s ‘The New Day’, Kingston has entertained millions. Off the mat, he promotes education and proudly displays Ghanaian symbols in his attire.

Kofi Kingston has flipped, kicked and danced his way into history – putting Ghana in the global spotlight.