KOBBY KYEI-ONE DIGITAL VOICE, TRANSFORMING LIVES IN GHANA
In an era where social media shapes opinions, mobilises communities, and drives change, few voices resonate as powerfully as Kobby Kyei (Augustus Koranteng Kyei). What began as a personal blog or social media page has evolved into a groundbreaking movement, challenging norms, inspiring action, and redefining community development, youth empowerment, and gender equality in Ghana. With a unique blend of raw and honest footage, his grassroots storytelling has not just captured attention—it has sparked real-world impact, proving that digital platforms can be catalysts for tangible progress in African societies.
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Again, from what started as mere admiration for a musician (Sarkodie) to viral campaigns that attracted individuals, organisations and policymakers to heartfelt narratives that humanised marginalised groups, his work exemplifies how one passionate voice can amplify the hopes and struggles of many.
Although many do not regard him as Ghana’s most influential blogger, his work may prove otherwise.
In the past few years, his impact on Ghanaian society and rapid ascendancy in the online journalism space might have just won him the most influential blogger in Ghana or perhaps the whole of Africa.
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Blogging has many forms. Some blog about food, travel, the hospitality industry, sports, culture, and the most popular and seemingly attractive, lucrative, and saturated field: entertainment. A limited number of bloggers, however, focus on impactful humanitarian and societal issues.
If any, they may not be that influential, or that avenue has been dominated by foreign missions and cooperate institutions.
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The online journalist, as he prefers to be known, focuses on what he has termed “positive and impactful blogging”. These are primarily societal problems such as education, health and the overall needs of deprived communities in Ghana. Most of his work align with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) developed by the United. Nations.
The story, projects and impact of Kobby Kyei has turned into a force for change—and this is why his journey matters for Africa’s youthful digital space.
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Shine Summit
The man who appears to be cool, calm, collected, unassuming, discreet and succinct in his speech has spoken on many occasions and on many platforms with the main ambition of empowering and encouraging his followers, especially the youth from less privileged backgrounds.
This Shine Summit, initiated by the blogger, seeks to build and exert influence on the youthful population in utilising technology to impact lives positively in the areas of education, health and sanitation. Was the summit successful?
Now think of how powerful and influential a young Ghanaian blogger should be in order to assemble all these dignitaries under one roof: French Ambassador to Ghana, Jules-Armand Aniambossou Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi (Bola Ray); Veteran Broadcast Journalist, Tommy Annan Forson; Actress and TV Host, Nana Ama McBrown; the CEO of Caveman Watches, Anthony Mensah Dzamefe; Brand and Marketing Consultant, Mr. Bernard Kafui Sokpe; a YouTuber, Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, popularly known as Wode Maya; as well as Global TEDx Speaker and Brand Architect, Futurist Kwame A. A Opoku. All were present for Kobby Kyei’s Shine Summit in June 2023
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“Go There Project”
With his “Go There” project, the online journalist visits extremely deprived communities in the country while broadcasting the state of their lives with the objective of improving their living conditions. Many organisations come to the aid of these communities as a result of his broadcast.
Construction of schools, health facilities and boreholes are but a few of the benefits communities have received from the “Go There Project”. Other deprived communities with deplorable school buildings have received new ones, old and dilapidated health care centres have been refurbished, and others with no drinking water have also received boreholes as well as Poly Tanks to store safe drinking water.
Zebra Crossing Campaign
In some parts of the world where zebra crossings are not regarded, pedestrians find it extremely difficult to use the roads. Ghana is no exception. Kobby Kyei, however, saw the need to create awareness among road users, especially drivers, to respect this road sign. His campaign was supported by personalities such as Nana Ama Mc Brown, C – Real, KMJ, Kwadwo Sheldon, CEO of Rabito Clinic, Anita Akuffo, Wode Maya community members and some dignitaries of the diplomatic missions such as the Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana, Italian Ambassador to Ghana, and the former French Ambassador.
Their involvement not only underscored the importance of the campaign but also highlighted international support for road safety efforts in Ghana.
The blogger had the opportunity to showcase this work at the UN General Assembly, which certainly blew some members away.
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Quality Over Quantity
A quick review of his social media handles shows few interactions with his followers. Some of his posts on Facebook could have just about 5, 6 or 12 comments with a little over 69,557 and 346,000 followers on Twitter. To some, this may be demoralising, but the online journalist has manifested through most of his speeches that quantity does not matter much more than quality. Comparatively, some blogs would have about 200, 500, 1.5k, 2k comments and many more interactions with followers from 600,000k to 1m. However, the positive impressions of their activities may be less impactful or remain within the confines of social media and short lived, just like a mist.
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UN General Assembly
A very popular African proverb says, “When a child learns how to wash his hands, he is able to eat with adults”.
This has proved true in the case of online journalist Kobby Kyei. With his philanthropic activities, he has been able to form enviable partnerships with both local and international stakeholders as well as members within diplomatic missions.
Perhaps the icing on the cake and the pinnacle of his success as an online journalist is an invitation to the United Nations General Assembly, 2024 in New York. Hardly ever will one be invited to such an event, much more so a “blogger” to the convention of world leaders. Kobby Kyei had the rare opportunity to make a spectacle of his philanthropic activities to the world through the UN General Assembly. This golden opportunity is as scarce as a hen’s teeth.
He has not wavered in carving a niche for himself and blazing a trail worth emulating. To some, this is the farthest the blogger or anyone, for that matter, could reach, but to Kobby, the journey just began.
Negative content sells, yes, but fleeting. Additionally, its sustainability is not guaranteed. Positive content may not momentarily sell, but its sustainability and positive impact is a guaranteed reality.
