Building A School for Africa’s Forgotten Workforce – Penelope Brooke Thompson

The Problem with AFRICA’s Education System: Lecturer & Innovation Expert Explains

In this episode of The Peswa Podcast, we sit down with Kofi Agyeman-Duah Boachie-Danquah — business innovation expert, strategist, and lecturer based in Germany — for a deep conversation on education, innovation, governance, and why many African systems continue to struggle. Kofi breaks down the major differences between educational systems abroad and across Africa, explaining why many African institutions still prioritize memorization and theory over critical thinking, innovation, creativity, and practical problem-solving. We also dive into why innovation is no longer optional for businesses — whether small startups or large corporations. From technology to operations and customer experience, Kofi explains why businesses that fail to adapt eventually collapse. One of the strongest moments in this conversation is his argument that many Ghanaian and African problems ultimately come down to a lack of political willpower. According to him, Africa already has brilliant people, talented youth, and enough resources — but suffers from weak implementation, poor leadership decisions, and systems that resist long-term thinking. This episode is a powerful conversation on: • Education systems in Germany vs Africa • Why many graduates struggle practically • Innovation and business survival • Entrepreneurship and systems thinking • Why African businesses fail to scale • Leadership and governance in Ghana • Political willpower and development • The future of African economies If you care about Africa’s future, business, innovation, education, and leadership — this is an episode you need to watch. Subscribe to The Peswa Podcast for more conversations with thinkers, founders, creators, and leaders shaping Africa’s future.

Raising $1M: How Victorine Sarr Awuah Did It.

In this episode of The Peswa Podcast, we sit down with Victorine Sarr Awuah — Founder & CEO of Lyvv Cosmetics — to unpack an incredible journey from Dakar to Paris, from Apple to L’Oréal, and eventually to building one of Africa’s boldest clean beauty brands. Victorine shares what it was like working at Apple in Paris during the Steve Jobs era, learning inside one of the world’s most iconic companies, and later leading and developing multiple African markets for L’Oréal. She opens up about corporate excellence, leadership, branding, and the realities of navigating global companies as an African woman. We also dive into her life-changing YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship experience, meeting President Barack Obama, and how those experiences pushed her toward entrepreneurship and pan-African impact. One of the most powerful moments in this conversation is when Victorine explains why she started Lyvv Cosmetics: seeing how global brands made billions from Africa while barely creating products truly designed for African skin, African consumers, and African realities. She speaks passionately about being a pan-Africanist, building African-owned brands, and creating products rooted in African ingredients, African identity, and African excellence. This episode is about ambition, identity, leadership, beauty, entrepreneurship, and building globally respected African brands from the continent itself. Topics Covered: • Working at Apple in Paris • Interacting with Steve Jobs • Building markets for L’Oréal across Africa • Meeting the Obamas through YALI • Pan-Africanism and entrepreneurship • Why Africa needs African brands • Building Lyvv Cosmetics • Clean beauty for melanin-rich skin • Leadership, confidence & global business Subscribe for more conversations with founders, creators, and builders shaping Africa’s future.

Kafui Dey: The Man Behind Who Wants To Be Rich

In this episode of the Peswa Podcast, we sit down with legendary Ghanaian broadcaster Kafui Dey for a deep conversation about his incredible journey through media, radio, television, and life.From his early days working with a shipping company and navigating the corporate world, to helping pioneer English radio in Kumasi, Kafui shares how he found his voice in broadcasting and eventually became one of Ghana’s most respected media personalities.We explore:His transition from corporate life into radioThe Kumasi radio era and building English talk radioHosting Who Wants To Be Rich?His experiences at Starr FM, GHOne, and GTVThe pressure of staying relevant in Ghanaian mediaCommunication, branding, discipline, and consistencyWhy he no longer misses interviewing politiciansOne of the standout moments of the episode is when Kafui explains why he stopped enjoying political interviews, saying many politicians are essentially “all the same” and that politics often feels like a game to them.This episode is packed with wisdom, honesty, humor, and lessons for anyone interested in media, communication, leadership, and personal growth.Subscribe for more conversations on business, culture, media, and African excellence.#KafuiDey #PeswaPodcast #WhoWantsToBeRich #GhanaMedia #StarrFM #GTV #PodcastGH #GHOne #Broadcasting #Ghana

Building A School for Africa’s Forgotten Workforce – Penelope Brooke Thompson

In this episode of the Peswa Podcast, we sit down with Penelope Brooke Thompson — entrepreneur, education innovator, and Founder of ACTT (African Centre for Technical Training). Penelope shares her remarkable journey from graduating with first class honours at KNUST and becoming valedictorian, to facing the harsh reality of unemployment and career uncertainty after school.She opens up about:• The pressure of excellence after university• Struggling to find meaningful work• Landing opportunities at major companies• Lessons from the corporate world• Why she chose to leave the traditional path• Building ACTT to transform technical education in Ghana• The future of TVET, youth employment, and skills development in AfricaThis conversation is honest, inspiring, and deeply relevant for students, graduates, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating uncertainty while trying to build a meaningful life and career.If you’ve ever wondered whether setbacks can become the foundation for something bigger, this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations on entrepreneurship, careers, business, money, leadership, and African innovation.#PeswaPodcast #PenelopeBrookeThompson #ACTT #TVET #KNUST #Entrepreneurship #Ghana #CareerJourney #YouthEmployment #SkillsDevelopment

Ko-Jo Cue: Music, Sex, Love, God & Grief

On this episode of The Peswa Podcast, we sit down with Ghanaian rap storyteller Ko-Jo Cue for one of his most raw and revealing conversations yet. From growing up in a crowded home in Bantama to becoming one of Ghana’s most respected voices in hip-hop, Ko-Jo Cue takes us through the journey that shaped him — both as an artist and as a man. He opens up about: * His early life in Bantama and how it influenced his storytelling * The rise from underground mixtapes to mainstream recognition * The emotional weight behind albums like For My Brothers and KANI: A Bantama Story * Taking a break from music after the devastating loss of his twin daughters * His thoughts on sex, rape, and consent culture in Ghana * Masculinity, growth, and the realities of navigating life as a public figure This is more than music — this is pain, healing, truth, and purpose. If you’ve ever wondered what truly drives Ko-Jo Cue, this is the conversation you need to hear. 🎧 Watch till the end. This one hits different. #KoJoCue #PeswaPodcast #GhanaMusic #Bantama #HipHopAfrica