Fifteen years of Ghana’s corporate fun run: how Ambassador Edward Boateng, Salem Kalmoni and Salah Kalmoni built a national platform for wellness, philanthropy and inclusion

Fifteen years ago, a simple business meeting at Japan Motors set the stage for one of Ghana’s most enduring corporate events. Ambassador Edward Boateng, then Group CEO of Global Media Alliance, met Salem Kalmoni, Managing Director of Japan Motors, to procure vehicles for his company. A casual conversation about their shared passion for running revealed a gap in Ghana’s fitness landscape: aside from the Milo Marathon, there were no consistent, well-organised running events for corporate leaders and professionals.

That conversation sparked the idea of a corporate fun run that would combine health, wellness, and philanthropy. Salem Kalmoni passed the idea to his younger brother, Salah Kalmoni, a dedicated runner and organiser, who took full ownership of the project. With his leadership, a committed team from Japan Motors, Silver Star Auto, and Global Media Alliance brought the first Corporate Fun Run to life as a 5-kilometre event. Over the years, it has grown into a national platform attracting nearly 6,000 corporate executives annually.

Ernest Boateng, CEO of Global Media Alliance, has supported the event on the media front, ensuring its visibility and continued growth. The run is held every September 21, coinciding with the birthday of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, symbolising visionary leadership, unity, and national progress.

More than a race, the Corporate Fun Run has become a symbol of organisational excellence, raising funds for important causes while fostering inclusion and dignity. Proceeds have consistently supported the Ghana Blind Union, whose members are invited to participate in the event, highlighting its commitment to empowerment and equal opportunity. Executives who typically meet in boardrooms find themselves side by side on the track, strengthening teamwork and human connection across industries.

At the heart of the event’s success are its founding visionaries. Ambassador Edward Boateng sparked the idea, Salem Kalmoni nurtured it with wisdom and generosity, and Salah Kalmoni has ensured its longevity through dedication, humility, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Salah has transformed the initiative into a movement that prioritises wellness, giving, and unity, demonstrating that meaningful events require vision, consistency, and heart.

The Corporate Fun Run has proven that corporate Ghana can do more than chase profits; it can build community, promote wellness, and invest in social good. It stands as a reminder that when vision meets action, organisations can inspire collective impact, and when people come together, they can run toward something far greater than a race.