Business mogul, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, says April 2017 has been his most difficult month ever as an entrepreneur and for his family.

Last Saturday's fire which gutted a building inside the premises of the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra is the second major disaster to hit Groupe Nduom. 

Earlier in the month, a heavy storm in Elmina in the Central regional city of Cape Coast ripped off the roof of the Papa Kwesi Nduom Stadium.

The Stadium is the home venue of Elmina Sharks, a Ghana Premier League side owned by Dr Nduom's Groupe Nduom (GN) conglomerate.

In a Facebook post Monday, the former Trades Minister said "Still we stand ready to keep moving on, positively. We owe our ability to do this to many, many well-wishers from near and far who encourage us and support our enterprises." 

He thanked the loyal customers and business partners who have gone beyond their personal interests to stand by him no matter what.

"I am grateful to government officials, friends, politicians from all political parties, religious leaders, businessmen and women and others for their encouragement and concerns," he wrote.

Dr Nduom believes that a timely intervention of the officers of the Ghana National Fire Service would have minimised the extent of damage.

Fires guts a building on the premises of the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel

"We have a lot to do to reform our state institutions and attitude to working with urgency when we are confronted with problems," he added. 

In a recent interview with Forbes, the former Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem recounted to Forbes Africa Magazine how he lost $2 million in a day.

"Our Groupe Nduom spirit is well and alive. I am grateful for the prayers, good wishes and encouragement," Dr Nduom said.

According to the Corporate Affairs Manager of Groupe Nduom, Richmond Keelson, an audit of the wreckage is yet to be completed to ascertain the financial losses resulting from the blaze. 

Read Nduom’s post below;

Tons of Gratitude, with a Heavy Heart.

As far as my faith will take me, I give thanks to God. This has been one of the most difficult months for me as an entrepreneur ever and for my family.

Still we stand ready to keep moving on, positively. We owe our ability to do this to many, many well-wishers from near and far who encourage us and support our enterprises. I am thankful for our loyal customers and business partners who have gone beyond their personal interests to stand by us no matter what.

We have an amazing team of management and staff. The teamwork they have demonstrated to ensure that the Regency Hotel fire challenge is overcome quickly has been wonderful to observe. They are living the Spiritual Guidance we teach all our employees: 

2 Timothy 1:7

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I am grateful to government officials, friends, politicians from all political parties, religious leaders, businessmen and women and others for their encouragement and concerns.

I have a heavy heart because though accidents do happen, this fire should not have caused so much damage and destruction. We have a lot to do to reform our state institutions and attitude to working with urgency when we are confronted with problems.

First Digital TV is back on air and ATV and BTA are broadcasting. The affected GN Bank and Gold Coast Fund Management branches will be open today for business next door. Our customers’ funds and data are safe. Our disaster recovery procedures have worked well. We are awake to the need to continuously take preventive measures to protect life and property.

Our Groupe Nduom spirit is well and alive.

I am grateful for the prayers, good wishes and encouragement.

God bless all of us.