Ewch i’r prif gynnwys

Cyril Kattah

Cyril Kattah
Cyril Kattah

Cyril worked for seven years before studying on our MBA programme. He is now the Managing Director of Novel Development a Ghanaian not-for-profit organisation.

Year of Graduation: 2002
Current Employer: Novel Development

Why did you choose to study with us?

I chose Cardiff because it is close enough to London, but far enough for it to be different. I was working for seven years before embarking on the MBA programme and it was important for me to network with people from all over the world so Cardiff’s diversified student background was perfect.  The beauty of the course was the intensive one year period which worked well for me because I didn’t want to take time away from work.

Can you tell us more about your course - what modules did you choose and what lessons have you learned?

I’ve been involved in project management, supply chain management and programme management, which I learnt at Cardiff.

I really love the city. The beauty of it is that it is compact enough to walk around and is so safe.

Cyril Kattah MBA

How did your studies equip you for your current job?

It was very useful because it has brought together all the skill sets that I had. It opened up other areas such as operational management and HR management. I really found it useful – I still use them now!

Can you briefly take us through a day in your current job – what are your responsibilities? What industry do you work in and what is your speciality?

I work for Novel development, which is a Ghanaian not-for-profit organisation that develops a little-known product called the Allanblackia tree from which we get edible oil. We work with rural communities in Ghana who harvest seeds from the Allanblackia tree and process them for export. It is a product that can be used in place of palm oil. It can also be used in cosmetics, soaps, face oil, etc.I am the Managing Director of Novel Development and am responsible for the day to day running of the organisation.

To a certain extent, we are promoting local businesses with buying agents and transporters who carry goods around for us and for the people who process seeds into oil. This work really gets me excited.

What advice would you give to prospective students?

Anyone from Ghana coming to Cardiff would find that people here are similar to those in Ghana. It is conducive for study and you meet people from all over the world, which I think is a great opportunity. You build networks for a lifetime.

I really love Cardiff, after my MBA programme ended I visited twice and I would love to visit again.