Correction: The story has been edited to reflect that George "Opesika" Aggudey is alive and well. Additionally, he remains married to his wife, Florence Nardu Aggudey (though she sued him in 2009), and did not go to jail, although he was sentenced in September 2013.

In the early 2000s, one name was synonymous with wealth, opulence, and power, in the person of George ‘Opesika’ Aggudey.

He was a towering figure in Ghana’s business and political landscape. He was admired for his business success, lavish lifestyle, and ambition for national leadership.

As the flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2004 elections, he aspired to revive the vision of Kwame Nkrumah, but his journey took a dramatic turn, one that ended in disgrace and personal misfortune.

In 2006, ace broadcaster, Bola Ray, embarked on an exclusive tour of Agudey’s 11-bedroom mansion in Accra, offering the public a rare glimpse into the extravagant life of the businessman-turned-politician.

His mansion was more than just a residence, as it served as a sanctuary for luxury and high-end automobiles.

With a fleet of over thirty luxury vehicles parked on his compound, George Aggudey’s collection included Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, BMWs, and a variety of SUVs.

Although his love for luxury was evident, he remained careful about car ownership in Ghana and its associated perks.

“American cars used to be my favorite, but servicing them in Ghana is a problem, so, I will stick to BMW and Mercedes.

“In this country, you have to be careful about the cars you buy because eventually, you will face the servicing bills. You have to buy cars that can be handled easily,” he told Bola Ray.

Despite his luxurious lifestyle, George ‘Opesika’ Aggudey also saw himself as a patriot and an advocate for Ghana’s progress, as he campaigned as the CPP’s presidential candidate in 2004.

He pushed a vision of economic transformation and social equity.

George Aggudey's speeches often emphasised nation-building and the responsibility of every citizen in shaping Ghana’s future.

“However young or old you are, you must think and feel Ghanaian, and you must also understand that it will take the concerted effort of every single Ghanaian to make sure we have a country called Ghana to live in,” he once stated.

But despite his political ambitions, his campaign never gained enough traction, and his dream of leading Ghana never fully materialised.

While Aggudey projected an image of success and prosperity, trouble was brewing behind the scenes.

In 2013, his name made headlines, not for politics or business success, but for financial misconduct.

He was convicted by an Accra Circuit Court and sentenced to three months in prison for failing to pay over GH¢2.6 million in Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions for workers at Gocrest Security Company, a business venture he owned.

He however did not serve his jail term as widely reported.

Despite his immense wealth and luxurious lifestyle, George Aggudey neglected the welfare of his employees, leading to his dramatic downfall.

The court also ordered him to repay all outstanding debts owed to his workers and SSNIT contributions.

As if the legal troubles weren’t enough, George Aggudey also faced bitter family conflicts, as his wife, Florence Nardu Aggudey, accused him of siphoning large sums of monies from Gocrest Security Company to finance his extravagant lifestyle.

She took him to court, alleging that he had used company funds to buy fleets of luxury cars and acquire expensive real estate, while she, a 50 percent shareholder of the business, had struggled financially.

She further claimed that George Aggudey had cut off all communication with her for four years, ignoring her calls and letters.

George ‘Opesika’ Aggudey disappeared from the public eye with his political influence also fading.

Additionally, his once-thriving business empire crumbled, while friends and associates distanced themselves from him, marking a tragic fall for the man who once symbolized wealth and power, becoming a shadow of himself.

Once celebrated for his lavish lifestyle and political aspirations, he was ultimately remembered as a cautionary tale of how power, wealth, and ambition can quickly unravel when mismanagement and legal troubles come into play.

But a daunting question remains; would Ghana have been different under his leadership as president?

While that question remains unanswered, one thing is certain; his life embodied both the heights of success and the depths of downfall.

Watch George 'Opesika' Aggudey's interview with Bola Ray from 2006 below: