Former President John Dramani Maham has mourned the late renowned Ghanaian tech entrepreneur and founder of SOFTtribe, Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse.
Mr. Mahama said his death is a big blow to Ghana’s IT fraternity.
“We lost a good man. I have lost a friend. This is a big blow to Ghana and our IT fraternity. We must be inspired to create a million more Herman’s. Rest in peace, Herman,” the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer wrote on X’s platform.
Chinery-Hesse died on Monday, September 16, 2024, following a reported cardiac arrest, leaving behind a legacy as one of Africa’s most influential figures in technology.
Chinery-Hesse, born in 1963 in Dublin, Ireland, a technology pioneer often referred to as “the Bill Gates of Africa”, has died aged 61.
His contributions have left an indelible mark on Ghana’s tech landscape. Chinery-Hesse founded SOFTtribe in 1991, which has become the oldest and largest software company in Ghana.
Under his leadership, the company pioneered several innovative products, including mobile-based community safety systems, government payroll systems, ERP solutions, and nationwide utility billing systems.
Chinery-Hesse’s innovative projects extended beyond software development. His initiative, ‘African Echoes’, aimed to create African audiobooks for a global audience, empowering Africans to tell their own stories on the world stage. His impact was also felt in his role as an assessor for the Commercial Courts of Ghana.
Educated at Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, and Texas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, Chinery-Hesse’s educational background laid a strong foundation for his successful career.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Chinery-Hesse has played a prominent role in the technology community as a speaker at prestigious institutions such as Oxford University, Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
He was a TED Fellow and appeared frequently on international media such as CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera.
Chinery-Hesse’s legacy will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the development of technology in Africa and his role in shaping the future of the continent’s technology industry.
His death is a significant loss to the global technology community, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of innovators.
Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse survived his family and a legacy of transformative technological advances that have significantly impacted Africa and beyond.