By Isaac Nuamah Yeboah
On November 2, 2024, Elder Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, the Group Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, celebrates his 60th birthday. Affectionately called “Chairman” by his staff, business partners, close friends, and relatives, Dr. Tobbin is not only a successful businessman or entrepreneur; he is also a renowned philanthropist who has also devoted his time to bringing smiles to the faces of the underprivileged and the needy in society through his Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation (SAT Foundation).
Honoring “Chairman” on his 60th birthday serves as a reminder that true success involves not only reaching the top but also uplifting others along the way. Indeed, Andrew Carnegie, the renowned Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, aptly captures this in his famous quote:
“Wealth is not to feed our egos, but to feed the hungry and to help people help themselves.”
Many of us find great inspiration in the life of “Chairman,” also known as Nana Amo Tobbin I, Dwantoahene of the Apinto Divisional Stool, Tarkwa Awodua in the Western Region, and believe he deserves our honor and celebration.
Chairman is truly an inspiration and a story that gives much hope to the hopeless.
Dr. Amo Tobbin’s business acumen is also something that budding entrepreneurs can learn from to enhance their profile. He has achieved success not only in the pharmaceutical industry (Tobinco Pharmaceuticals and Entrance Pharmaceuticals and Research Center), where he has carved a niche for himself, but also in other business sectors such as insurance (Priority Insurance Company Limited), banking (Abii National Savings and Loans), construction (Toblues Properties), arts and events (Dor Events), media (Atinka Media Village), hospital (Entrance University Hospital), and education (Entrance University of Health Sciences, Tobinco Training Institute), among others. Perhaps he could organize or provide master tutorials for some of our young entrepreneurs who aspire to succeed.
Industry players and corporate Ghana have celebrated and duly acknowledged Dr. Tobbin’s business excellence. The following awards and recognitions provide ample testimony.
CEO. of the Year 2020-Ghana Manufacturing Awards
Entrepreneur of the Year (2019)- Ghana Pharma Awards
Business Man of the Year (2018) -Chamber Business Award
Entrepreneur of the Year (2018)- Ghana Manufacturing Awards
Chamber Business Man of the Year (2018)- Chamber Business Award
Entrepreneur of the Year (2015)- Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana
Marketing Man of the Year (2010)- Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana
Pharmaceutical Company of the Year – 2022 Home Builders’ Africa Awards
Entrepreneur of the Year- 5th Ghana Pharma Awards in 2023.
Philanthropy:
Through his Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation, Dr. Tobbin has allocated thousands of dollars to provide support to the needy and the vulnerable. This support includes donations to widows, the payment of medical bills for individuals with complex diseases and ailments, the payment of school fees, and the support of state institutions such as the Ghana Police. Notably, he constructed a fully furnished, ultra-modern two-story building, valued at GHC 3,982,700, nearly GHS 4 million, which now serves as the Headquarters of the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) of the Ghana Police Service.
Galamsey:
Dr. Tobbin comes from Tarkwa Awodu in the Western region, one of the areas being devasted by illegal mining, and as part of his contribution to tackling the menace, he has employed over 40 “galamsayers.” These lucky individuals are currently working in various subsidiaries of the Tobinco Group, including Atinka Media Village. Aside from offering them employment, he provided accommodation for them to make their newfound life in Accra very comfortable.
Covid-19:
We will fondly remember Dr. Tobbin for his major role in supporting institutions and individuals during the devastating COVID era, which saw many people indoors. He personally visited some poor communities in the capital of Accra to distribute 2000 boxes of beautifully packaged food items to the needy and the vulnerable.
The government had imposed a three-week lockdown to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, causing slum dwellers to lose their daily bread. Ghanaians, particularly the beneficiaries in the ghettos who were uncertain about their next meal, commended the Tobinco CEO for his show of love and compassion.
The Love for God:
Elder Amo Tobbin is also a church leader and someone who owes his extreme success to the almighty God. History and posterity will be kind to Elder Amo Tobbin for his unwavering support and contribution to the growth of the Church of Pentecost, as he dedicated all his resources to God’s work.
As we celebrate and honor him on his 60th birthday, we ask God to continue to bless his family and also expand his territory.
