Startup Story
Dentaa Amoateng MBE is the President and Founder of the Grow Unite, Build, Africa (GUBA) Enterprise, a social enterprise organisation dedicated to the advancement of diaspora Africans and Africans through various socio–economic programs and initiatives. She is a multi-hyphenate with years of experience in the acquisition of funding, deal brokering, lobbying and facilitating Diaspora development. Dentaa is the current Liaison Executive Officer for the Greenwich-Tema Meridian Link, working to secure trading and business networks between both cities. She started the business in 2009 and today it has 20 employees.
LoA spoke to the impact-driven Dentaa Amoateng about her organisation and its mission, vision and values, and what she is hoping to achieve over the next few years.
What does your company do?
GUBA Enterprise is a social enterprise organisation dedicated to the advancement of diaspora Africans and Africans through various socio –economic programs and initiatives. The organisation currently has eight brand activities namely: GUBA Awards, GUBA Foundation, GUBA Trade Expo, GUBA Careers, GUBA Diaspora Card, GUBA Tours, and the GUBA Diaspora Network.
Our goals are to:
Grow – by supporting businesses to grow, encouraging entrepreneurship, private sector development and initiatives.
Unite - through the provision of an engaging network for promoting greater cultural diversity.
Build - by providing business support and offering access to skills capital from business coaches to workshops.
Africa – enhancing the continent through collective action, business and trade.
GUBA Enterprise has become the Diaspora Network Manager par excellence and continues to grow into an impactful social venture network. Our company specializes in diaspora mobilization initiatives, charitable campaigns and donations, business consultancy, recruitment services, PR and marketing services.
“GUBA Enterprise has become the Diaspora Network Manager par excellence and continues to grow into an impactful social venture network.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The inspiration behind the GUBA Awards came from a strong need to acknowledge and celebrate high achievers within the African community. My inspiration came from seeing a large number of Ghanaians within the UK, doing exceptionally well. These Ghanaians served as role models for the youth, and I felt it necessary to use GUBA as the platform to acknowledge their efforts. The organization started with the Awards in 2010 and has since developed into a Pan-African and Diaspora Mobilization organization. The GUBA Enterprise now operates globally with its focus on enriching the African continent.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our organization is unique because it focuses on creating and encouraging initiatives that would further enhance the impact and relationship between African Diaspora and the African continent. We do so in several ways including:
• Business matching and business tour initiatives
• Personalized consultancy services
• Conference and workshops
• Business and career fares
“Our organization is unique because it focuses on creating and encouraging initiatives that would further enhance the impact and relationship between African Diaspora and the African continent.”
Tell us a little about your team:
I have a diverse and multi-talented team. My team consists of a combination of skilled volunteers and non-volunteers in the United Kingdom, Ghana and the United States. Most of my team members have been a part of the organization since inception. My team plays a great role in sustaining and growing the initiative to its current state.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My media career begun in 2006 with the TV show 'The Dentaa Show'. The Dentaa Show is an entertainment program filled with exclusive interviews from celebrities in Ghana, Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The ‘Diaspora Transition’ edition of the show is critically serves as inspiration for many young people aspiring to enter the entertainment industry. I previously had the opportunity of managing international football star Asamoah Gyan, and premier sportsmen/women including Anton Ferdinand, Rachel Yankey and Christopher Samba, under 'the Speak to Dentaa' agency.
From 2012 to present, I have led on various consultancy and event management initiatives, to name a few:
• Organizing the launch of the Benjani Mwaruwari Foundation in Zimbabwe.
• Organizing a State Dinner and Fashion show in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Charles (the Prince of Wales) and the Duchess of Cornwall, on behalf of the government of Ghana.
• Consulting on Grammy Awards’ African initiative
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
The aim for the GUBA Enterprise is to be impactful in all of the African countries, and to be able to set up training workshops and other initiatives that will improve the livelihoods of many. Outside of Africa, the aim is to facilitate even more trade and business relations between Africa and the rest of the world.
“The aim for the GUBA Enterprise is to be impactful in all of the African countries, and to be able to set up training workshops and other initiatives that will improve the livelihoods of many.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Knowing that my organization is solving a problem and making an impact, brings me great satisfaction.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
My advice to other women is to be courageous! There will be a lot of obstacles and situations that might discourage you but be steadfast and dedicated to your purpose. I encourage them to always believe in themselves as they are capable of achieving more than they can even imagine.
Find out more:
Email: dentaa@gubaawards.co.uk
Website: http://www.gubaenterprise.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/GUBA-Enterprise/100057761555487/
Twitter: http://x.com/gubaenterprise
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/guba_enterprise/
YouTube or Vimeo Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/GUBAENTERPRISETV
Why LoA loves it…
Impact-driven social entrepreneurs are unique in that their focus is on being a positive force for good in the world and making positive change happen in their local communities and countries. Dentaa Amoateng is doing just that with GUBA Enterprise, creating opportunities for members of the African Diaspora to build relationships, initiatives, and businesses that make a real difference to the African continent and the world as a whole. Her focus on training and development, combined with networking and connectivity ensures lasting impact. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa