From setbacks to success: Young Ghanaian entrepreneur leaves a “Majora” mark

Canada marks Black History Month in February. You can visit our Black History Month webpage for more stories about Black people in our community, to learn about upcoming events and discussions, and to find cultural and educational resources put together by our Royal Roads community.

Learn more about Royal Roads’ Master of Arts in Tourism Management program.

He’s on 30-under-30, 40-under-40 and top-100 lists in his homeland of Ghana and started his company due to a personal setback. Wisdom Mawuli Parku, a student in Royal Roads University’s Master of Arts in Tourism Management program, says his achievements are often borne of disappointment and in spite of challenges that could have crushed him.

While earning a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana 10 years ago, Parku had a U.S. visa application declined despite guidance from, and money paid to, consultants. That disappointment caused him, at just 23 years of age and with no family financial support, to launch his own travel and tourism company, Majora Group, of which he is CEO.

“I’m trying to change the narratives about travel agencies back home in order to create an impression that we have credible companies that can provide you these services,” he explains. “We are trying to build a trusted brand for all,” he says of Majora Group, which is based in his birthplace, Obuasi, a mining town in the Ashanti region.

With that core vision established, Majora has arranged trips in Africa and abroad for thousands of customers.

Parku was recently  named among the 100 most influential people in Ghana, an honour to go with his placement on the Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 roster as well as a 40 Under 40 entrepreneurs list for his contributions to travel and tourism. 

The recognition is rewarding, Parku says, but “it’s also a sort of challenge, because people look up to you. So, all this recognition is telling me is to continue to say focused and continue building credibility.”

That added pressure is small compared to the challenges presented when a fire damaged his business or when a fraudulent recruiter based in another country cost Majora money.

But none of those obstacles stopped him when he decided to expand his education to benefit himself and his business. Parku, who currently lives in Victoria, BC with his wife, Sheila Acheampong, and their son, Larry, earned an entrance scholarship to Royal Roads and is about halfway through the MATM program.

“My education has taught me how to build a sustainable company after school,” he says, noting that in his leadership studies at RRU, he has learned the importance of putting the right system in place so his company can continue even in his absence.

And he won’t stop there. Parku says will likely pursue a Doctor of Business Administration and will encourage other Africans to chase their educational dreams at Royal Roads.