Bernard Anyan-Mensah, the esteemed Founder & CEO of CONAK Technology, believes change occurs when vision meets action. His journey in technology began in 2002, initially focusing on software development and web applications before expanding into enterprise networks and infrastructure. Working with companies across Africa, he was key in implementing Server Virtualization, Private and Public Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Linux, Enterprise Network Solutions and Security, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and VoIP solutions. During this period, he observed a major challenge—many SMEs in Ghana and beyond struggled with digital transformation due to high costs and a lack of tailored solutions. Recognizing this gap, he was inspired to develop open-source alternatives to make advanced technology more accessible.
This realization led to the founding of CONAK Technology, with a vision to provide African businesses with modern, affordable solutions. The company initially specialized in Odoo ERP implementations and gradually expanded to include VoIP, IT infrastructure, and digital transformation strategies.
Inspired by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s wisdom, “Revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought,” Bernard leads with intent, turning concepts into something tangible. He believes technology plays a transformative role in reducing poverty by improving education, promoting creativity, and encouraging entrepreneurship. Leading a team of young African talents fortifies his view that the continent is on the brink of significant progress.
Perception about Success: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
Bernard defines it as a catalyst of impact and it goes much beyond merely profit margins. Professionally, it’s measured by the SMEs transformed through digitalization, the growth of CONAK Technology, and the satisfaction of clients and employees. On the personal front, he equates success with lifelong learning, mentorship, and community impact. Bernard vouches for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s sentiment: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” He embodies this principle and his legacy lies in driving Africa’s digital revolution while living a purpose-driven life.
The road to digital transformation in Ghana’s SME sector for Bernard came with real, gritty challenges. Many small businesses couldn’t afford or had no traditional software, didn’t have the technical know-how, and weren’t sure why they needed to change in the first place. But instead of walking away, he leaned in. He introduced open-source tools like OpenERP, Untangle (Arista), Odoo ERP and Enterprise Linux—affordable, reliable, and built for flexibility. He didn’t stop at implementation. Bernard sat with business owners, walked them through the process, and ensured they understood what the technology could do for them. He customized solutions to fit their size and budgets, making sure results spoke louder than the systems behind them.
That practical approach laid the foundation for CONAK Technology. What started as a response to a widespread problem became a company with a mission. To make digital tools work for the people who need them most. For Bernard, every successful implementation is a reminder that technology should be an enabler, not a barrier, to business growth.
A Day from the CEO’s Diary: Ambition, Guidance and Balance
At CONAK Technology, Bernard drives both the vision and the velocity. As CEO, his days are scheduled to shape long-term growth while ensuring today’s work runs like clockwork. Business development is part of his everyday routine, combining future-focused planning with action in the moment.
Each morning begins with a review of meetings and deliverables, followed by focused time for strategy, client conversations, and new opportunities. He trusts his team to manage the operational engine, freeing him to focus on strategic execution and innovation. Regular check-ins with teams and clients keep projects aligned while ongoing industry research informs future planning.
What sets Bernard apart is his poise between big-picture thinking and roll-up-your-sleeves execution. He’s on the ground, engaging with clients, mentoring his team, and building a culture where ideas are welcome and execution is sharp. This approach has helped position CONAK Technology as a reliable partner for businesses seeking to digitalize efficiently and grow sustainably across the continent.
Running a fast-growing tech company while maintaining a fulfilling personal life is no small feat. However, Bernard has honed a technique rooted in precision. He empowers his team through smart delegation, structured time management, and firm boundaries, prioritizes outcomes, and leverages technology for efficiency. At the core of it all is a simple yet powerful principle: balance is a mindset—demanding at times, but intentionality keeps both business and life in sync.
Significant Professional Achievements
With a mix of tenacity and brilliance, Bernard has earned his place among the “African Trailblazers: The 10 Most Impactful Leaders Making a Difference.” His journey is marked by milestones that blend technical excellence with deep social impact. Founding CONAK Technology stands out as a defining moment. He leads growth across Africa, rolling out Odoo ERP, Enterprise Linux and VoIP solutions and building partnerships that help the business scale.
Bernard’s leadership on large-scale Odoo ERP rollouts has transformed operations in the construction, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors—proof that the right technology, implemented thoughtfully, can completely change the course of an industry. His work in enterprise infrastructure, from server virtualization to VoIP systems, continues to modernize communications across organizations.
Yet, Bernard firmly believes that the true feats are measured not just by solutions deployed but by people uplifted. Through mentorship and skills development, he has nurtured a new generation of African tech professionals. Each success story adds to a legacy defined by innovation, and commitment to inclusion, empowerment.
Tech Trends Shaping CONAK’s Goals for Africa
As Africa’s digital momentum accelerates, Bernard remains energized by the wave of change sweeping across the continent’s tech domain. At CONAK Technology, they are not just observing the evolution. Instead, they are steering it. From cloud solutions to AI, his team is positioning African businesses to ride the crest of innovation. The shift from bulky, proprietary systems to agile, cloud-based platforms is a game changer for SMEs. That same spirit of accessibility drives their integration of AI. By embedding automation into everyday operations, businesses gain sharper insights, faster service, and fewer manual bottlenecks.
Meanwhile, the boom in mobile money and fintech innovation has reshaped commerce in Ghana. Bernard’s team is weaving digital payments into ERP systems, helping clients streamline transactions and build customer trust. As remote work becomes the norm, CONAK is also deploying cloud collaboration systems that keep teams connected and efficient. And as more businesses move online, cybersecurity is no longer optional. From backup strategies to compliance protocols, CONAK is ensuring clients stay protected. For Bernard, more than chasing hype, embracing these trends is about building sustainable, tech-forward businesses that thrive in Africa and beyond.
Bernard and his team are helping shape a more inclusive future for Africa’s tech ecosystem—one driven by accessible tools, local talent, and lasting innovation. They deliver affordable digital solutions that allow small and mid-sized enterprises to scale efficiently. By mentoring young professionals and equipping them with real-world skills, CONAK is nurturing the next generation of African tech leaders. Championing open-source platforms is a philosophy rooted in shared growth. Through every project, the organization envisions a future where African innovation stands tall on its own terms.
The Evolution of a Leader
Bernard’s leadership journey has been anything but static. From the early days of rolling up his sleeves in server rooms to now charting the strategic course of CONAK Technology, his evolution mirrors the very transformation he champions across Africa.
In the beginning, Bernard thrived in the thick of execution. He was the architect behind code and the brain aligning ERP deployments with business goals. But as teams grew and responsibilities expanded, so did his perspective. He began investing more in people than just projects—mentoring rising talent, empowering leaders within his organization, and trusting others to lead while he focused on the bigger picture. Collaboration has become his compass.
Today, Bernard operates as both a visionary and a catalyst. He’s defining what digital success looks like for African enterprises, pushing boundaries in open-source innovation. Yet, through it all, one principle remains unchanged: his belief that leadership is about purpose. For Bernard, that means using technology to create jobs, ignite potential, and boost Africa’s independent growth. He affirms, “Our mission is to help businesses grow by providing innovative, scalable, and cost-effective technology solutions.”
Built on Trust, Grown Through Partnership
At CONAK Technology, client relationships are the foundation. Each engagement begins with a deep dive into a client’s world, decoding pain points and designing tailored tech solutions that are both seamless and game-changing. Communication is the quiet engine that keeps these relationships running. Regular updates, clear timelines, and honest conversations create the kind of transparency that cements trust. For Bernard and his team, it’s about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with clients as they grow.
Support doesn’t end at go-live. CONAK stays closely involved, offering training, assistance, and system enhancements to ensure businesses extract lasting value from their digital investments.
Clients aren’t treated like customers. They’re partners in a shared vision for transformation. And as their needs shift, CONAK evolves with them—always steady, always strategic. Bernard and his team’s approach stands out: committed, consistent, and grounded in real results.
CONAK Technology’s visionary CEO envisions the company as one of Africa’s foremost digital transformation partners. How? By driving business growth through smart, open-source solutions. Under Bernard’s transformational leadership, the roadmap is ambitious yet grounded—strengthen strategic partnerships, secure Odoo Gold Partner status, and open regional offices across West and East Africa.
The company is also enhancing its ERP and VoIP offerings with AI-powered automation that meets the demands of a rapidly shifting digital landscape. The African SME is at the heart of the mission—ambitious, underserved, and ready to leap forward. To support them, CONAK is rolling out affordable ERP systems with flexible payment models and robust training programs.
Beyond business growth, their blueprint includes investing in Africa’s tech talent through internships, training, and collaborations with tech hubs and universities.
The approach is deeply customer-centric, with adaptable solutions and long-term partnerships designed to evolve with each client.
Inside CONAK’s Culture of Curiosity and Courage
Bernard believes breakthroughs happen when teams feel empowered to own their ideas. This proactive approach to progress echoes the sentiment of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who wisely stated, “Change is made by the living, not by the dead.” They create an environment where people feel trusted to lead, test ideas, and contribute to meaningful change. Open dialogue is the norm. Regular brainstorming and knowledge-sharing sessions keep the energy fresh and ideas flowing.
Team members are given space to learn, backed by mentorship and upskilling opportunities that sharpen both their confidence and craft. Failure is treated as a lesson, not a setback, and experimentation is encouraged. Agile workflows and smart tech tools support collaboration, making it easy to shift direction and adapt. Bernard explains that by building a space that champions growth, curiosity, and bold thinking, CONAK keeps delivering sharp solutions that push Africa’s tech future forward.
Advice for Africa’s Next Tech Visionaries
This seasoned executive deems leadership in Africa’s tech industry begins with inquisitiveness and evolves through action. He urges aspiring leaders to embrace continuous learning. Why? In an era of rapid digital transformation, standing still is not an option. Open-source tools, Bernard notes, hold enormous promise for creating agile, cost-efficient solutions uniquely tailored to local needs.
But the real metric of success, he believes, lies in solving tangible problems: making it easier for small businesses to operate, boosting access to financial services, or making logistics smoother. He knows progress takes teamwork, not silos. That’s why he endorses strong professional networks where cross-industry collaborations open doors to new possibilities and fresh ideas.
He also points to Africa’s growing cohort of tech-savvy youth as the continent’s greatest asset. By investing in mentorship and offering hands-on training, future leaders can spark a ripple effect that fuels long-term digital growth.
Challenges will persist—infrastructure gaps, costly internet, and limited funding. Yet, as Nelson Mandela wisely observed, “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” Bernard’s message is clear: resilience and purpose-driven innovation turn barriers into breakthroughs. By creating solutions rooted in Africa’s realities and powered by its people, Ghanaian tech leaders can build companies that don’t just survive—they scale, inspire, and transform.
