A well-known entrepreneur in the 2000s, Sally Monte Carlo

You will be inundated with images and posts from well-known socialites and "slay queens" at upscale venues around the nation if you log into any social media site today.

Many people credit social media with helping these socialites become more well-known by amplifying their lives and reaching a wider audience.

But long before today's socialites and Instagram influencers, Sally Kankonaba Kleyn, also known as Sally Monte Carlo, was a lady who raised the standard.

She was the subject of numerous video interviews and articles in Ghanaian media in 2008. She was the pinnacle of success and luxury, well-known for her hedonistic lifestyle, prosperous enterprises, and captivating personality.

However, she saw a sharp decline in popularity, disappearing from the spotlight as fast as she had gained it.

Creating the 'Monte Carlo Empire'

After years of traveling between Ghana and Europe, Sally Monte Carlo returned to Accra in 2004 with the goal of bringing some of Monaco's beauty and richness to her home country.



She founded Monte Carlo Forever Fashion, a high-end fashion house located off Osu Oxford Street that caters to Accra's elite.

The boutique sold upscale brand clothing and accessories, making it popular among Ghana's wealthy and stylish.

Recognising Ghana's thriving tourism economy, Sally expanded her business in 2006 by opening a bar, restaurant, and nightclub under the Monte Carlo name.

The name "Monte Carlo" wasn't chosen by chance. In an interview with ModernGhana, she revealed that she was inspired by the affluent Monaco district and wanted to recreate its air of luxury in Ghana.

"Everyone in Monaco lives a luxurious existence. "There is so much class attached to the name itself," she once stated.

"I developed a taste for the finer things, and I wanted to bring that elegance to Ghana," she told me.

Her opulent Monte Carlo Grande Café and its exclusive VIP private club immediately became popular among Accra's elite, attracting celebrities, politicians, and business moguls.

Sally's great taste was obvious throughout her brand. She exuded opulence, from the original high-end furniture in her enterprises to the rich international designer clothing she donned, including Christian Dior, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli.

Nonetheless, despite her fondness for European elegance, she never forgot her roots.

She proudly displayed her Ghanaian background while wearing fine African designs from Woodin and Kente, combining the best of both worlds.

Her opulent lifestyle went beyond fashion. She owned a collection of luxurious vehicles, including the Hummer H2, Range Rover Sport (2007 model), Mercedes X-Class 500, Cadillac Escalade, and others.

She lived in a $1 million mansion and was frequently seen rubbing shoulders with high-profile figures, including then-presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Sally Monte Carlo had built a dream world of luxury and position that many people adored and wished to be a part of.

The decline in popularity

But when Sally was detained in England for drug-related offenses in 2011–2012, her glitzy empire fell apart.

She reportedly disappeared from Ghana's social scene inexplicably after being arrested in England and then the Netherlands.

She was detained for a number of years before her health deteriorated and she was finally sent back to Ghana.

She was never seen or heard from again, and her once-thriving companies were shut down.

One of Ghana's most compelling cautionary tales, Sally Monte Carlo's rise and fall depicts wealth, power, and the harsh results of bad decisions.

Many people are curious about Sally Monte Carlo's current whereabouts after her abrupt departure from the spotlight.

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