How Dr Ofori Sarpong built his real estate fortune before age 30

Business mogul Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong has recounted how his early exposure to property sales through a family connection inspired him to venture into real estate before the age of 30, as remarks from a past interview resurfaced following celebrations marking his 60th birthday.

In the resurfaced interview with Accra-based Joy News, Dr Ofori Sarpong explained that he entered the real estate industry shortly after building capital through his family business.

“Straight away, I got into real estate,” he said, noting that he has now spent close to 25 years in the sector.

According to him, his interest in the business was sparked by his uncle, lawyer and real estate entrepreneur Paul Acheampong, whose office he frequently visited while growing up in Tesano.

He explained that during those visits, he noticed photographs of houses with prices attached to them and began comparing the market prices to actual construction costs.

“I looked at the structures and then I said, ‘If this house is selling for $200,000, I think I can build it at a cheaper price,’” he recounted.

Stability without losses possible - Oppong Nkrumah fires back at BoG

Dr Ofori Sarpong during the interview disclosed that he had already built his first personal house and knew exactly how much it had cost him, making him realise the profit potential in property development.

“I looked at the house that I built for about $150,000 and realised similar houses were being sold for about $250,000. Then I thought, why don’t I also build and sell?” he shared.

The businessman said the observation pushed him into buying land, constructing houses and selling them for profit.

He further revealed that before turning 30, he had completed a five-bedroom storey building for himself and also developed a four-storey commercial property at Opera Square in the central business district of Accra.

“At age 28, I had built a four-storey building within Opera Square,” he said, adding that the property once housed Miracle Films and other businesses.

“I built my first house, a 5-bedroom storey building, before age 30. At age 28, I had built a four-storey building within Opera Square in the Accra Central business district.”

— Business mogul Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong in an interview on Joy News pic.twitter.com/jIWwIxM5qI

— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) May 8, 2026