Old age inspired me to establish a hotel – KSM

Veteran Ghanaian comedian and filmmaker Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM) shared his motivation for entering the hotel business.

He spoke on The Career Trail program on Joy News and Joy Learning TV. KSM and his wife, both in their 60s, sought a new challenge together.

“We wanted something challenging to do,” he said. About six to seven years ago, they bought land in Aburi. They decided to build a hotel, which marked the beginning of their venture.

Initially, they started with a small AirBnB that had nine rooms. This has now grown into Cactus Creek Hotel, featuring 20 rooms, a swimming pool, and two conference halls.

KSM noted that the hotel business was not easy. He faced many challenges from regulatory bodies like the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and VAT officials.

“Business challenges in Ghana can be very depressing,” he lamented. GRA would come and impose difficulties, followed by VAT inquiries. He explained that even when you answer questions well, issues still arise.

He stressed the need for supportive policies for young entrepreneurs. “Young people want to start businesses but lack support,” he said. Grants or consumer support could help them succeed and contribute to the economy.

KSM also pointed out that many businesses fail due to a lack of basic knowledge. “Some don’t understand concepts like capital versus profit,” he explained. Mismanaging these can lead to business collapse.

Even experienced entrepreneurs face significant hurdles in growing their businesses. “It’s very difficult for them,” he emphasized.

Despite these challenges, KSM is proud of how far his hotel has come. “Now the business is bigger than us,” he concluded, noting they have a team managing it now.