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Nigerian restaurant owners in Ghana make waves

‘We guarantee delicious Igbo soups anytime’ – Mrs. Anasuberu

Mrs. Anasuberu
Mrs. Anasuberu

Mrs. Anasuberu, an Igbo, a native of Owerri from Imo state, and owner of Divine Rock Eating House also known as “Mama Oluchi” in a chat with Encomium Weekly revealed she has been in Ghana for 10 years but started the food business in 2008, to be precise and since her business has been doing well. Though it’s not easy doing business in another country as a foreigner, but with God she believes all will be fine no matter the challenges that come with it.

When she was asked about the challenges she encounters and how she is able to deal with them, she added that, some of the problems come from not paying her dues regularly and of which she makes sure she does and taxes to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and also her health insurance including that of her workers.

On how she gets some of the ingredients to cook the Nigerian dishes, she revealed there is a Nigerian market at the Katamanto Market in Accra every Thursday, where Nigerians sell to them, ranging from vegetables, to stockfish, okazi, oha and the likes.

However, one noticeable change is the increase in prices on the menu list which she quickly revealed it was due to the present harsh economic condition and high exchange rate as a result, they buy the ingredients expensively. So, there is need for them to increase their prices as well.

Mrs. Annsuberu, who strongly believes in satisfying her customers with quality food and services, assured that Nigerians and Ghanaians alike are guaranteed delicious Igbo soups anytime they visit her restaurant from ogbono, oha, egusi, okro, moimoi, jollof, and afang. She added that some Ghanaians also like to eat Nigerian foods especially those that have lived in Nigeria. She added that they open weekdays and weekends from 12pm to 9pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on Sundays

 

‘We serve Nigerian and Ghanaian dishes’ – MRS. AUDREY SERLORMEY (BUKA RESTAURANT)

Mrs. Audrey Serlormey, CEO of Buka, insisted on speaking to Encomium Weekly without letting us taking her picture. She said she loves to be private about her life, but engaged us in a chat saying she is Ghanaian but she has a Nigerian who cooks all the Nigerian dishes while she  also has a Nigerian woman who supplies them the necessary ingredients in preparing them. She added that they also have Ghanaian dishes handled by a Ghanaian.

On challenges; she stated that she hardly encounters any challenge because she pays her dues and taxes as at when due. She avoids owing anybody or officials adding that they have a little problem with manpower but maintained it can always be managed.

 

‘I have trained some Ghanaians who can cook Nigerian food’ – Sisters Bowl a.k.a Calabar Kitchen, MD and CEO, Mrs. Glory Vincent

Can you share with us when Sister Bowl started operation in Ghana?

Mrs. Glory Vincent
Mrs. Glory Vincent

Calabar Kitchen is a joint business owned by me and my two sisters, one is based in Nigeria and the other is here in Ghana. We started in 2010. And it was pretty nice when we started because business was booming, but it’s not the same again due to the economic situation of the country. Things have slowed down a bit, we still thank God all the same. Our regular customers still come around.

What type of foods do you have on your menu list?

We serve both Nigerian and Ghanaian foods. We have specials like; asaro (porridge) nkwobi, isi ewu, amala, pounded yam, afang, egusi, oha, white soup, moi moi and lots more.

How do you get your ingredients in making some of these special Nigerian dishes?

We actually get vegetables from a farm managed by one partners, of the company, while I get others from the market which are sold by both Nigerians and some Ghanaians who are close to Nigeria or have actually lived there at one time.

What are some of the challenges you encounter as a foreigner?

Yes, you asked the right question. Challenges are definitely bound to happen because we are foreigners. For example, some of our customers find it difficult to find parking space when they come to eat. Sometimes some people just come in to harass us because we have a television, and we don’t experience all these in Nigeria. The most important one is man power, because an average Ghanaian does not want to work, they feel we Nigerians are on drugs to be able to work longer hours. When they work for a while they are tired and they are gone, the next day you have to get new people.

So who cooks the food? Nigerians, or Ghanaians?

From inception, I have trained some Ghanaians who can cook the food, though I am always in the kitchen with them.

Why do you think Nigerians should come to your restaurant and not any other one?

Because when you go to Nigeria and you ask who the best cooks are, they tell you Calabars are the best cooks, so that is why Nigerians should come here. The taste of food is different because it is made by a Calabar woman and our prices are reasonable compared to others.

-ADEBUKOLA ADENEYE-EDAH

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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