Ghanaian plastic surgeon Dr Michael K. Obeng reveals his strategy to become a billionaire
Renowned Ghanaian-born plastic surgeon, Dr Michael K. Obeng, has revealed that his path to billionaire status lies not just in cosmetic excellence but in building a pharmaceutical empire in Ghana, with diversification as the cornerstone of his strategy.
In an interview during a street-style profile in Beverly Hills on TikTok (below), Dr Obeng, who is one of the few black plastic surgeons in the elite enclave, opened up about his journey from the slums of Ghana to global recognition, including his plans to reshape Africa’s pharmaceutical industry.
“How can a kid from Ghana, from the slums of Ghana, beyond my wildest dreams, make it to Beverly Hills? We are the best plastic surgeons in the world. It’s God,” he said.
Renowned 52-year-old Ghanaian plastic surgeon and millionaire, Dr. Michael Obeng, has revealed that he made his first one million dollars at the age of 34, with his highest ever annual earnings reaching $9 million.
He added that the worst financial decision he made in life was… pic.twitter.com/C8aJd5MxBx— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) April 6, 2025
Dr Obeng, who shot to international fame after successfully removing Gorilla Glue from the hair of an African-American woman in 2021, disclosed that he made his first million at the age of 34.
He currently owns a private practice in Beverly Hills and has earned as much as $9 million in a single year.
Asked about his biggest financial misstep, the Harvard-trained surgeon didn’t hesitate: “Marriage—actually, marrying the wrong person.”
Dr Obeng was candid with his advice to young entrepreneurs, especially on the issue of relationships. “It’s not the right person if you guys don’t share the same faith, period,” he stressed, reaffirming the centrality of his Christian beliefs. “Do you believe in God? Oh yes. Without God, I would not be here… God wants us all to prosper… God is the ultimate giver of wealth.”
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But it is his ambitious venture into pharmaceutical manufacturing that he believes will take him to the billionaire bracket.
“My goal is to be a billionaire so I can do more work. Diversification. I’m in the process of launching a pharmaceutical plant in Ghana, and it’s going to be the biggest plant in Sub-Saharan Africa. And that’s the key to me becoming a billionaire,” Dr Obeng declared.
The project, spearheaded by his company MiKO Pharma in partnership with India-based Sushen Medicamentos PVT. LTD, is currently underway at Akwamu in Ghana’s Eastern Region. The plant, estimated at US$50 million, is being built on 100 acres of land granted by the Akwamu Traditional Authority. Construction began in July 2022, with the first phase expected to be operational within nine months.
At full completion, the facility will manufacture a wide range of WHO-GMP-certified generic medicines for the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, malaria, HIV, and pain. The aim is to provide affordable and effective medicines to meet growing health demands in Ghana and across West Africa.
In a major boost to the project, Dr Obeng recently signed a landmark deal with Siemens AG, one of the world’s leading technology firms. Under the agreement, Siemens will provide infrastructure and advanced industrial systems to support pharmaceutical production at the site.
“Being in Germany to sign this historic agreement with Siemens was a moment of immense pride for our team at MiKO Pharma,” said Willard Jackson, Executive Partner at MiKO Pharma. “This partnership is not just about building facilities—it’s about transforming healthcare in Ghana and setting a new standard for pharmaceutical production in Africa.”
Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa CEO, Sabine Dall’Omo, described the agreement as a strategic move towards sustainable healthcare solutions for the continent. “Our goal is to enable the manufacture of safe pharmaceutical drugs in Africa,” she said.
The plant is expected to create 130 direct jobs and significantly reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported medicines. According to Dr Obeng, “This initiative will significantly enhance healthcare accessibility in the region.”
Currently, local pharmaceutical production accounts for just 30 per cent of Ghana’s drug demand. However, the industry is expanding. Pharmaceutical sales in Ghana stood at GHS6.6 billion (US$571 million) in 2023 and are projected to reach GHS10.7 billion (US$735 million) by 2028, largely driven by the demand for generic medicines.
With his bold plans, deep faith, and international backing, Dr Michael Obeng is poised to not only achieve billionaire status but also to revolutionise Ghana’s pharmaceutical landscape.
