The last time I had an exclusive duologue as well as hobnobbed with KKD, I insisted on profiling him for publication. With a beaming grin, he said: “for my profile or achievements if you don’t mind, I will do you a favour. I will let you contact my assistant – she is called Jules A. Darkwah.
“She will furnish you with my exclusive and up to date profile on me you won’t get anywhere – print or online.” I later contacted Jules A. Darkwah y, BSc. (Hons) Edu – Client Service & Broadcast Manager of
The Finest Productions and below is what she gave me.
Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, popularly known as the Master Communicator, is the Chief Executive Officer of The Finest Productions and founder of The Kyei Darkwah Foundation (Charity for mentorship and Training in Arts & Culture, Etiquette and Public Communication).
A multiple award-winning broadcaster, culture, media & brand communications consultant, he brings his attention to detail and cosmopolitan flair to bear on corporate events, television productions, marketing campaigns and tourist-targeted programmes.
KKD The Finest, as he is called by legions of fans, has been at the forefront of promoting brands and Ghana’s Arts, Culture and Tourism for over 2 decades. He leads teams to strategize, launch and market financial products and services, fast-moving commercial goods, and luxury brands.
He was appointed Ambassador for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) campaign against illegal food imports into Europe from Africa in 2008 and is an Adjudicator – International Acts for the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.
KKD is a sharp and affable visiting lecturer on Communications, Culture, Media and Brand Management. He has delivered learning on Arts, Culture and Media at the School of Oriental and African Studies, Producing and Presenting for Broadcast Media as part of the British Council’s Creative Enterprise series, and Policy for Developing the Creative Industries at Ghana’s National Policy Fair 2012.
He was resource person for Ghana Television’s broadcast series on personal branding, and BET International’s Mad Swagg- programme on personal style and branding to a global audience during the 12th Annual BET Awards Season.
He is passionate about mentoring. Through his Charity THE KYEI DARKWAH FOUNDATION, he trains the youth on Arts & Culture enterprise start-ups, branding, good manners, proper dress for every occasion, and effective public speaking.
He has trained students and client-facing professionals in building your brand, business etiquette, and public speaking skills, and delivered insightful address at the World Bank Knowledge Space on ‘Getting Entertainment right in Ghana –What role for the Journalist?’ He continues to highlight the essence of clear, concise and civil communication, with more light and less heat, in leadership and community.
A gifted trainer and enthusiastic learner, he has benefited from professional workshops in Public Affairs, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility- Coca Cola Headquarters, Atlanta; Media participation in Conflict Resolution- Martin Luther King Jnr Centre for Non-violent Social Change; Producing and Marketing television programmes- Fox Children’s Television Network; Coverage of world events and the Arts- CNN World Report & Showbiz Today, VOA, Columbia State University & Howard University.
Advertising & Public Relations- Eric Morley and Associates, Collaborating with American professional counterparts, United States Information Agency, US State Department, Adelphi International; News gathering, Agenda setting- LA Times, L A Weekly; Marketing, Branding, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication, Syracuse University.
Producing shows for live telecast- Alice Evenements, Paris; Launching new products Afri Cola, AMS Hamburg & Heineken Germany; Importance of manufacturing in the local community, Coca Cola, Atlanta, Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre, Albuquerque etc.
Positions he has held include: Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the
Ghana Investment Promotion Centre- the agency mandated to attract and retain investments in Ghana, Director of Programmes & Marketing at Sunshine Radio, General Manager of record company Megastar Ltd.
Account Manager for Corporate Healthcare at Gissings Consultancy Services in London’s square mile where he managed group medical insurance and risk for city banks and law firms, and Advertising & Promotions Manager at ABC Brewery Ltd where he was a key player in the team that increased market share by 20% in his first year.
Darkwah holds a Master of Arts Degree in Audio-Visual Production (Film & Television) from London Metropolitan University, Diploma in Journalism from Ghana Institute of Journalism, and Certificates in Marketing Management from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Production and Cost Management from the Association of Overseas Technical Scholarship of Japan, and Delivering Learning to Adults from Westminster Adult Education Service, London. He also holds Certificates in Broadcast Production Techniques, Hotel Management from Ghana Tourist Board, and Essential Marketing Skills from Price Waterhouse.
His honours include: Our Living Legend Award in November 2013 at the MTN 4Syte Music Video Awards; Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2013 for his immense contribution to Broadcasting & Entertainment in his motherland Ghana; the Tema Excellence Award in December 2012 for his work in Media, Arts and Culture Promotion; and the GUBA (Ghana UK-based Achievement) Award 2012 for his contribution to Media, Brand Management and Entertainment.
Left-handed KKD is a devoted father to a son and daughter, both left-handed award-winning public speakers. Darkwah eagerly promotes Ghana and all that is good about it to attract tourists, investors and custom into its growing markets.
