Patrick Quarcoo, popularly known as PQ, is a Ghanaian Kenya-based serial entrepreneur. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Radio Africa Group, which is an umbrella of among Kenya's leading media channels on print, digital, TV and radio. This include KISS 100, Classic 105, Smooth FM, Radio Jambo, East FM, Gukena FM, the Star newspaper and KISS TV. Quarcoo and his Radio Africa Group co-founder, William Pike also own two radio stations in Uganda, Capital Radio and Beat FM. He came to Kenya from Reuters Uganda in the 90s to start up a media company.^[1][2][3] In 2012, Quarcoo was awarded an international recognition award at the Ghana UK-Based Achievement Awards.

Early life

Quarcoo was born poor in Cape Coast, Ghana.^[4] He was a young journalist when he decided to put together six radio segments – reporting on what was happening in Ghana, and then sent them to the BBC World Service. Three of these segments were taken up by BBC and soon, he was reporting regularly for the BBC, Voice of America, and other stations in London.

I think too many of us go into businesses on a wing and a prayer. I believe you can model any business. I may be wrong, but that's what I believe. Typically I start with the industry data, cut it up year by year, segment by segment, focus on the basic industry you are in. Look at what ecological and other social changes that impact that industry. Where will they take it?^[5]

— Patrick Quarcoo

Radio Africa Group brands

Radio Africa Group is a leading radio, TV and newspaper business in Kenya, and it operates three of the top five radio stations in Nairobi.^[6]

References