Ghanaian technology pioneer and founder of theSOFTtribe, Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024, following a cardiac arrest. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential tech figures, Chinery-Hesse, often dubbed “the Bill Gates of Africa,” was 61 at the time of his passing.
Chinery-Hesse was born in 1963 in Dublin, Ireland and she played important role in Ghana’s technology sector. He established the, the first software company known as theSOFTrise in the year 1991 and which has grown to be one of the largest software companies in the West African country of Ghana. During his tenure, he offered unique products such as mobile based security solutions, government payroll solution, ERP solutions, and a centralized utility billing system across the country.
Chinery-Hesse’s influence extended far beyond software development. He was also behind the “African Echoes” initiative, aimed at producing African audiobooks for global audiences, empowering Africans to tell their stories to the world. He further contributed to Ghana’s judicial system, serving as an assessor for the Commercial Courts.
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 academic journey paved the way for his success in the tech sector.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Chinery-Hesse was a sought-after speaker, delivering talks at prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School, and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was also a TED Fellow and regularly featured in international media outlets, including CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera.
His passing marks a significant loss for the global tech community, but his legacy will live on through his contributions to the technological landscape in Africa. Chinery-Hesse is survived by his family, and his groundbreaking work will continue to inspire the next generation of African innovators.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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