Introducing Kwame Antwi-Agyei…..

Most of your fellow Cadbury House GC colleagues lost contact with you after June 80. Could you tell us what you’ve been up to since we left school?

After Motown, I attended the Presbyterian Training College, now Presbyterian University College, and thereafter taught for a while in some basic and private schools. I subsequently earned the IDPM (Institute of Data Processing Management) Diploma I & II. I have since worked with a variety of companies e.g. Sydalk Systems Ltd (a private IT company) and at Bening, Anang and Partners (a private chartered accountancy and management consultancy firm). I’m approaching my 20th year working at DHL Ghana, having worked in a variety of roles, and I’m currently the Ground Operations Supervisor & Dangerous Goods Coordinator for Ghana.

What are some of the changes you have seen in logistics over the years?

Tremendous changes indeed. There has been a revolutionary change. First, it was the shipping of documents and small and miniature consignments. Today, however, we ship huge items such as containers of heavy-duty items. Logistics also includes warehousing and spare parts. We stock items such as IT equipment and automobile spare parts, which we can speedily transport across borders. Supply chain management has also brought about great dynamics in the logistics industry. There has also been a lot of competition, with a lot of private companies involved in the industry.

You have been at DHL for a long time, would you consider working for a rival such as FedEx or UPS?

No, I wouldn’t because I’m getting to the apex of my career and none of our competitors can match up to us. We are the market leaders as far as the logistics industry is concerned and I cannot move below the ladder.

What are some of the highlights of working for DHL?

Working for DHL has been great and worthwhile. As you know, DHL is the most international company in the world, with operations in over 200 countries. DHL has taught me a lot especially the need to work as a team. We make our customers lives easier all over the world and we have changed the way the world looks. DHL brings the world closer to everyone as we deliver and pickup up many of our customers shipments all over the world.

I have worked in DHL in diverse roles such as IT, Training and Development and am currently working in Operations. I have also met many Akoras at DHL, some of whom are still with the company. It’s been a fruitful experience, I must say. Our mission is to provide great service quality to our valued customers across the globe.

Tell us a bit about your family

I’m married to my lovely wife Dinah and we have three grown-up children. My first daughter is a graduate of University of Ghana (UOG) with a BSC in Administration. The second one also graduated from UOG this year and my son is an Akora who completed Achimota this year and is waiting for his results to enter University. He was in Lugard House even though I would have preferred Cadbury, but well, it’s all Motown.

It’s great to hear that your son has followed in your footsteps continuing the proud tradition of generations of the same family attending our beloved alma mater. Some people allegedly say Motown isn’t the same as it used to be when we there in the mid-70s. In your opinion what do you think the school needs to get back to those so-called glory days?

I share their opinion too. As I mentioned, my last son is an Akora who completed Achimota just this year and I had the regular duty of visiting him every other weekend. In my opinion, the aura surrounding the school has waned considerably. I believe it’s due to the short duration of their passage in Achimota (it’s now three years). During our time, the school calendar was five years, forms 1 to 5 and two years in lower and upper 6 th , making a total of 7 years at school.

The school calendar was more exciting as studies were intermixed with more sporting activities, entertainment (pop chain etc.). Today, the duration has been shortened. The population has also increased significantly. I’m told the current school population is about 3,000. Can you imagine that?! We also had a much better time enjoyed as during our time the school menu was much more inviting than it is now.

Right from the moment you enter through the main gate, near the swimming pool, you sense that the feeling and mentality of Achimota is emotionally missing. I commend the current house staff though for managing such a huge student population. I believe what we are embarking upon the Old Achimota spirit can revive and bring back the old school nostalgia. The glory days can be revisited, the Kuzuinik and the school anthem “From Gambaga to Accra” can be re-enacted.

Do you have any charity interests or activities that you may want to share with us?

I have personally not been involved in private charity or mentoring activities, but in conjunction with my company and as part of our corporate social responsibility, we have adopted a school nearby, the model nursery where we offer social support in developing and improving their facilities and make yearly donations. We also conduct activities to support the SOS School in Tema by mentoring and offering and raising hope and helping them to acquire skills to aid them in their future endeavors and I do play an active role in this.

Do you have any hobbies or social interests?

I’m an ardent football lover and support Liverpool football club.

Is this finally Liverpool’s year to win the EPL after 30 years of hurt?

Yeah, Liverpool, we never walk alone. It should have been double for us this year, but we missed out on the EPL. I hope we clinch it next season but last year was phenomenal especially our second match with the dreaded Barcelona. You saw the result and can attest to the fact that we were indeed outstanding on that day.

Kwame Antwi-Agyei
1C, 2?, 3B, 4?, 5?
Cadbury House

Look out for our next Spotlight Edition on Emmeline Brew-Graves