Patrick Quarcoo

Last updated
Patrick Quarcoo
Born
Patrick Quarcoo

(1957-05-23) May 23, 1957 (age 67)
Cape Coast, Ghana
Nationality Ghanaian
Other namesPQ
Education
Occupation Entrepreneur · Media Executive
Years active2000–present
Known for Founder & CEO of Radio Africa Group
SpouseLate Gifty Quarcoo (married until her death in 2020)
Children3
Notes
The information in this infobox was sources from Tuko News [1]

Patrick Quarcoo (born 23 May 1957), [2] commonly known as PQ, is a Ghanaian-born, Kenya-based entrepreneur and media executive. He co-founded and served as CEO of the Radio Africa Group, an East African media conglomerate operating radio, television, print, and digital platforms in Kenya and Uganda. [3] Quarcoo received the International Recognition Award at the 2012 Ghana UK-Based Achievement Awards. [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Quarcoo was born in Cape Coast, Ghana, into a family that valued education and print media—his grandmother told him, “Book no lies,” inspiring his lifelong passion for journalism. [1] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration from the University of Ghana (1977–1980). [1] He completed an MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School (1984–1986), specializing in International Marketing and Corporate Strategy. [1] In 2017, he attended Harvard University’s Senior Executive Program.

Career

Early journalism career

After university, Quarcoo joined Reuters in Uganda, where he worked as a reporter throughout the 1990s. [5] In 2000, he relocated to Nairobi to launch his own media venture with British journalist William Pike. [6]

Radio Africa Group

In 2000, Quarcoo and William Pike co-founded the Radio Africa Group, headquartered in Westlands, Nairobi. Their flagship station, Kiss 100 FM, quickly became the top youth-oriented radio channel in Nairobi. [7] Over the next decade, the group launched a series of other stations [8] and a newspaper, The Star (Kenya). [9] In 2014, the group entered television with Bamba TV, its free-to-air digital channel. [10] Radio Africa also expanded regionally, co-owning Capital FM and Beat FM in Uganda. [11]

Retirement and legacy

After 24 years at the helm, Quarcoo stepped down as CEO in June 2024 to pursue personal interests, remaining on the board as a major shareholder. [12] Under his leadership, Radio Africa Group launched six radio stations, one newspaper, a television channel, and multiple digital platforms, solidifying its role as an East African media powerhouse. [12]

Personal life

Quarcoo was married to Gifty Quarcoo, who died from cancer in April 2020; the couple had three children. [1]

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyAwardCategoryResult
2012GUBA Awards [4] International Recognition AwardInternational RecognitionWinner
2024AllAfrica Media Leaders’ Summit [13] Lifetime Achievement AwardLifetime AchievementWinner
2024Marketing Society of Kenya Awards [14] MSK Warrior AwardOutstanding Achievement in MarketingWinner

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Waruguru, Grace (2020-10-20). "Who is Patrick Quarcoo? Meet the Radio Africa Group CEO". Tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
  2. ↑ "Patrick QUARCOO personal appointments - GOV.UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Ngigi, Elizabeth (26 June 2024). "Patrick Quarcoo retires as Radio Africa Group CEO after 24 years at the helm". Nation Africa. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 "HUGH QUARSHIE HELPS LAUNCH GUBA 2012 AWARDS - GUBA Awards". GUBA Awards. 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  5. ↑ "Meet Ghanaian Mogul Behind Kiss, Classic, Radio Jambo & More - Business Today Kenya". Business Today. 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  6. ↑ Mwende, Sharon (2024-05-09). "Radio Africa Group Convergence Director William Pike retires". The Star. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  7. ↑ Ngigi, Elizabeth (2023-03-03). "Meet Ghanaian Mogul Behind Kiss, Classic, Radio Jambo & More". Business Today Kenya. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
  8. ↑ Mwendwa, George (2020-07-05). "Niche radios feeling the heat?". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  9. ↑ Kihuria, Njonjo (2019-01-19). "The Day The Star Was Born In 2007". Business Daily Africa. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
  10. ↑ "Radio Africa enters digital TV market". Business Today Kenya. 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
  11. ↑ "South African media group buys stake in two radio stations". Business Daily. 2020-12-25. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  12. 1 2 Kimani, Brian (2024-06-26). "Radio Africa Group's CEO Patrick Quarcoo steps down". Citizen Digital. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
  13. ↑ ETYANG, PERPETUA (9 May 2024). "Radio Africa's Quarcoo feted with Lifetime Achievement Award". The Star. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  14. ↑ Mwende, Sharon (3 December 2024). "Former Radio Africa Group CEO Patrick Quarcoo feted with MSK Warrior Award". The Star. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
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