Maxwell Kofi Jumah, born on June 26, 1950, in Antoa in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, is a seasoned politician, administrator, and former corporate executive whose career has spanned decades of public service and private sector leadership.
His trajectory—from mayor to parliamentarian to managing director—has been marked by both notable achievements and recent legal troubles that have thrust him back into the national spotlight.
Early life and education
Jumah is an alumnus of Prempeh College and holds an MBA in Finance and International Marketing from Rutgers University in the United States.
His academic background laid the foundation for a career that would blend public administration with corporate governance.
Political career
He first gained national prominence in 2001 when President John Agyekum Kufuor appointed him as Mayor of Kumasi.
He later served as Member of Parliament for Asokwa Constituency from 2005 to 2013, and as Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development from 2007 to 2009.
A stalwart of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jumah was known for his assertive style and vocal presence in Parliament.
Corporate leadership at GIHOC
In the private sector, Jumah served as Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited. Under his leadership, the company saw a wave of rebranding, product innovation, and market expansion.
He was even honored as CEO of the Year at the 2019 Ghana Manufacturers Awards.
However, his tenure was not without controversy. Allegations of financial mismanagement, including excessive allowances, procurement irregularities, and unauthorized asset sales, began to surface.
Reports claim he allocated himself a weekly allowance of GH¢40,000 and retained state vehicles without approval.
Recent legal troubles
In June 2025, Jumah was arrested by national security operatives at his Kumasi residence.
The arrest followed a petition from GIHOC alleging theft of state vehicles and financial impropriety.
Three vehicles were retrieved, and he was granted bail of GH¢500,000 with two sureties.
Investigations also revealed that he had purchased a Genesis G90 luxury vehicle for just GH¢4,943.11—about 5% of its market value—raising red flags about asset misappropriation.
Other accusations include the unauthorized sale of GIHOC properties in Tema worth over $700,000 and inflating staff numbers to burden the company’s finances.
Personal life
Jumah is married with five children and is a practicing Christian. Despite the controversies, he remains a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics and business, with supporters defending his legacy and critics calling for full accountability.
