From Chalkboard to Boardroom: Joseph M. Abakah Rises to Head of MSMEs Banking at ADB

By Joylinda Laryea / July 3rd, 2025

From the humble beginnings of a chalk-wielding classroom teacher to the polished corridors of corporate banking, Joseph Mensah Abakah’s inspiring ascent is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and purpose-driven transformation.

Now appointed as the Coordinator (Head of Operations) in Charge of MSMEs Banking at Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC, Mr. Abakah brings with him a wealth of experience, an unrelenting passion for empowerment, and a vision to uplift Ghana’s Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.

Born with a natural flair for leadership and a heart for service, Joseph Abakah began his journey at University Junior Secondary School between 1992 and 1994. His academic promise took root and blossomed further at Adisadel College, one of Ghana’s prestigious institutions, where he pursued Business Accounting from 1995 to 1997, a foundation that would later shape his financial acumen.

But Abakah's road to success was not a straight highway, it was a winding trail of grit and reinvention. He started his career as a professional teacher between 2005 and 2011, touching lives in the classroom, imparting knowledge, and molding minds. However, he saw education not as an endpoint, but a launching pad. He furthered his studies at the University of Cape Coast  College of Distance Education, earning a Diploma in Basic Education (2013–2015) and a Post-Diploma (Bachelor’s Degree) in Psychological Foundation of Education (2015–2017).

His versatility and leadership shone when he transitioned into public service, serving as Municipal Director of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) for the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly. There, he led impactful initiatives to reduce youth unemployment and foster local enterprise development building a track record of community-oriented leadership.

Now at ADB, Mr. Abakah is steering a critical arm of the bank’s operations, MSMEs Banking, the heartbeat of Ghana’s entrepreneurial economy. In this capacity, he is not just a banker; he is a strategic architect focused on financial inclusion, business development, and sustainable economic empowerment. With deep knowledge in business accounting and a budding specialization in human resource management, his leadership is geared toward offering tailored financial solutions to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, many of which form the backbone of Ghana’s informal sector.

Abakah’s forward-looking spirit is underscored by his imminent return to academia. He is scheduled to begin a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management at the University of Cape Coast in the 2025/2026 sandwich session, a move that reflects his unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and professional refinement.

His story is more than a personal success; it is a blueprint of perseverance and progression, proof that with dedication and vision, one can rise from the most modest of beginnings to occupy influential positions in national development.

As he steps into this new chapter at ADB, Joseph M. Abakah stands not just as a banker, but as a beacon of transformation, dedicated to empowering businesses, inspiring youth, and driving meaningful change in Ghana’s banking landscape.