Nana Kwame Bediako Appeals Accra High Court Order in Dispute Over No. 1 Oxford Street Hotel

Key Takeaways

• Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, is appealing an Accra High Court order to pay over US$14.9 million to Azad Cola's company, Cola Holdings Ltd.
• The dispute stems from a loan owed on the No. 1 Oxford Street Hotel, developed by their jointly-owned company Kensington Residential Partners 1 Limited (KRP1).
• Bediako and KRP1 management claim Cola acted unilaterally in repaying the loan and turned it into a personal claim against the company without their approval.
• The High Court of England and Wales initially ordered Bediako to pay Cola Holdings in January 2025, and an Accra court granted police assistance for the takeover of the Accra hotel on July 21, 2026.

Nana Kwame Bediako, businessman and owner of the No. 1 Oxford Street Hotel in Accra, has filed an appeal against an Accra High Court order to pay over US$14.9 million to Azad Cola's company, Cola Holdings Ltd.

The dispute centers around a loan owed on the hotel, which was developed by their jointly-owned company Kensington Residential Partners 1 Limited (KRP1). Bediako and KRP1 management claim that Cola, who is a director of the company, acted unilaterally in repaying the loan and turned it into a personal claim against the company without their approval.

Background & Context

The No. 1 Oxford Street Hotel was developed by KRP1, which borrowed a significant amount from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to finance the project. However, the company struggled to keep up with loan payments after the hotel opened in December 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While KRP1 was renegotiating the loan terms with the IFC, Cola claimed that he had personally repaid the loan in full out of his own pocket and demanded that KRP1 pay him back. However, Bediako and KRP1 management dispute this claim, arguing that Cola did not have the right to make such a move without their approval.

Key Findings

The High Court of England and Wales initially ordered Bediako to pay Cola Holdings in January 2025, citing Cola's claim that he had repaid the loan in full. However, Bediako and KRP1 management claim that Cola has never produced any proof of repayment and that the High Court order was based on incomplete information.

The Accra High Court granted police assistance for the takeover of the Accra hotel on July 21, 2026, allowing Cola's appointed Receiver in Ghana, Nii Amanor Dodoo, to seize the hotel. However, Bediako and KRP1 management have since filed an appeal against the order, citing procedural irregularities and a lack of evidence to support Cola's claim.

Broader Implications

The dispute between Bediako and Cola has significant implications for the hotel industry in Ghana, highlighting the risks of unilateral actions by company directors and the importance of clear communication and approval processes.

The case also raises questions about the role of the judiciary in resolving disputes between business partners and the need for transparency and accountability in financial transactions.

Looking Ahead

The appeal against the Accra High Court order is ongoing, and a decision is expected in the coming weeks. If the appeal is successful, it could have significant implications for the hotel industry in Ghana and set a precedent for future disputes between business partners.