Paapa Osei named among Ghana’s top in-house lawyers

Paapa Osei, Head of Legal and Reputation Management at MobileMoney LTD, has been named in the prestigious Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Ghana 2026, earning recognition as one of the country’s most distinguished in-house legal leaders.

The Legal 500 GC Powerlist highlights leading General Counsel and senior corporate legal executives across global regions. Compiled after months of rigorous research and vetting, inclusion on the list is regarded as a significant professional milestone within the legal fraternity.

Mr. Osei’s recognition underscores his pivotal role in shaping the legal and governance architecture of MobileMoney LTD (MML), Ghana’s largest fintech and Electronic Money Issuer, and the leading fintech contributor to revenue within the MTN Group.

He is widely credited with establishing the Legal and Reputation Management function at the company, building it into a strategic pillar that supports business growth while safeguarding regulatory compliance and corporate integrity.

In his current role, he provides strategic legal direction, oversees stakeholder engagement, and champions sound governance practices in Ghana’s rapidly evolving digital financial services sector.

His leadership has also been instrumental in the localisation of MML, guiding its transition from a subsidiary of Scancom PLC to a fully owned business within the MTN Group structure.

The transition marked a major structural shift in the company’s evolution and required careful legal navigation to align regulatory, operational, and shareholder interests.

With more than 20 years of professional experience spanning fintech, telecommunications, consultancy, beverage production, construction, and pharmaceuticals, Mr. Osei brings extensive cross-industry expertise to his leadership role.

Over the years, he has strengthened risk management frameworks, enhanced stakeholder confidence, and supported sustainable business growth across the organisations he has served.

Reacting to the recognition, Mr. Osei described the honour as both humbling and motivating, noting that this marks the second time he has been featured on the GC Powerlist.

“This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of the teams I have had the privilege to work with over the years,” he said.

“In a rapidly evolving fintech environment, the role of in-house counsel goes beyond legal advisory — it is about enabling innovation responsibly, safeguarding customer trust, and contributing meaningfully to national development. I am honoured to be recognised among such an accomplished group of professionals.”

Mr. Osei holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Economics and Law from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an MBA from the University of Birmingham.

He obtained his legal qualifications from BPP University and the University of Law, where he completed the LPC MSc in Law and Business Management.

He also holds a certificate in ESG Leadership from the University of Cambridge and is a qualified solicitor and barrister, having completed his professional legal training at the Ghana School of Law.

Mr. Osei was not the only MTN Ghana legal executive recognised at the event.

Other honourees included Pala Asiedu Ofori, Company Secretary of Scancom PLC; Nana Kofi Asare, General Manager for Legal and Regulatory Affairs; and Abena Fordjour Acquah of MTN Global Connect – Bayobab.

In congratulating Mr. Osei, MobileMoney LTD commended his continued leadership in advancing legal excellence, ethical standards, and responsible growth within Ghana’s fintech ecosystem, noting that his achievement reflects the company’s broader commitment to strong corporate governance and sustainable digital innovation.