Mr Matey, the Chief Executive Officer of Freddie’s Corner, received his reward during the Presidential Globe African Heroes Honours Award held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra last Sunday.

His company was also adjudged the Best Mobile Phone Dealer for 2019.

Thirty-five years ago, Mr Matey started his mobile phone business on a table top at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle but currently he has 15 branches of his company nationwide.

He has made donations to the Village of Hope Orphanage, the Bawjiase Orphanage, the Osu Childrens Home, Akropong School of the Blind, among others.

The citation that accompanied the announcement that Mr Matey is the recipient of the prestigious award commended him for his profound contribution to the Ghanaian society, Africa and the world at large despite all the challenges confronting the West African sub-region.

“After many nominated brands were evaluated and deliberated on for several hours in over 13 weeks by the selection committee, your brand came up tops in the final top shortlist,” it stated.

Background

The Presidential Globe African Heroes Honours Award was organised by the Pan-African Heroes Foundation (PAHF) in partnership with the Rectitude International Mission (RIM) and Bureau of Research on Governance, Commerce and Administration (BORGCA).

This year’s event represented the maiden edition of the Presidential Globe African Heroes Honours Award which rewards successful men and women who have had significant impacts on society.

Giving back to society

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Matey said he started his philanthropic work 30 years ago and called on others to emulate him.

He also appealed to the appropriate authorities to enforce the laws governing the trading activities of foreigners in the country which he said remained a bane in the industry.

Others honoured

Among the 50 people who were honoured at the event were the Best Regional Minister, Ashanti Regional Minister —Mr Simon Osei Mensah; the Best Sector Minister, Minister of Agriculture —Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto (MP); former Black Stars Captain, Mr Stephen Appiah for his style of leadership as the Black Stars Captain that made the team attain great historic heights in the annals of Ghanaian football.

Others were the Auditor General, Mr Daniel Yaw Domelevo, for his fervent effort to fight and clean corruption in Ghana’s economy and protect the public purse and Broadcast Journalist, Mr Kwami Sefa Kayi for distinguished services and sense of humour, creativity, innovation and zeal to command the airwaves.