At first sip, Angbanlife’s sobolo tea feels like more than just a drink. It is a story steeped in resilience, innovation, and a passion for wellness. Behind this growing agribusiness is Niamatu Alhassan, a hardworking and charismatic young woman from Wa in the Upper West Region of Ghana who has turned a simple local beverage into a health-conscious lifestyle brand.
“I wanted to create something authentic, healthy, and true to our Ghanaian roots,” Niamatu says with a smile. “Sobolo is not just a drink. It’s culture, it’s wellness, and it’s something we can refine to meet modern lifestyles,” she told KumasiMail’s Northern Regional Editor Joseph Ziem on the sidelines of the MTN SME Support Program (Awards) held in Tamale on Tuesday, September 24, 2025, at the Radach Lodge and Conference Centre, where she was honoured alongside 159 others with a financial facility to expand her business.
From a Simple Brew to a Business Vision
Angbanlife began with a deep appreciation for natural remedies and a desire to offer people healthier options. Its flagship product, Nimah Sobolo infusion bags, combines hibiscus (sobolo) with ginger, clove, and lemongrass. Unlike the sugar-loaded bottles of sobolo often found on the market, Angbanlife’s tea comes without additives or preservatives, allowing customers to customize their drink to their own taste.
But the innovation does not end there. Niamatu is leading Angbanlife into irrigation farming, producing her own raw materials to guarantee both quality and sustainability. “We know exactly what goes into our crops, and that gives our customers the assurance that they are drinking something safe, pure, and healthy,” she explains.
Building Beyond the Kitchen
Launched officially in 2022, Angbanlife is now a registered, tax-compliant company producing from Tamale and distributing across Ghana, and even serving customers beyond the country’s borders. The business model runs on both retail and wholesale, with cartons of sobolo sold at competitive prices to shops, restaurants, and health-conscious individuals.
Listening closely to her customers has also become a hallmark of the Angbanlife brand. Niamatu and her team are working on new tea varieties – ginger, lemongrass, clove, and other herbal infusions to give consumers more options for healthier living.
A Journey Rooted in Leadership and Service
Niamatu’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply tied to her passion for social change, justice, and leadership. She currently serves as Project Administrator at Alinea Foundation under the Women Economic Empowerment in Northern Ghana (WEE-NORTH) project. Previously, she was VIF project coordinator at HOPin Academy and as a Young Technical Advisor at the Mastercard Foundation. She also worked as an Accelerated Learning Program Advisor at SEND Ghana under the Ghana Education Outcomes Project, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.
Her leadership roles extend further. She was once Assistant Director of Operations at the Coalition for Positive Impact, and Deputy Zonal Coordinator of the Global Youth Parliament. At the University for Development Studies (UDS), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Care and Education, Niamatu was a dedicated student leader, serving as Women’s Commissioner (WOCOM) for both her department and the UDS SRC/NUGs, as well as Deputy General Assembly Speaker.
Her academic journey also includes a Diploma in Early Grade Education, a Certificate in Food and Beverage from Tamale Technical University, a Diploma in Project Management, and a Certificate in Virtual Assistance.
Recognition and Support from MTN
Her story of resilience has earned her recognition both locally and internationally. In 2022, she emerged as 1st runner-up in the UDS Vice Chancellor Business Pitch Award, and in 2023, she received the UDS Vice Chancellor Dedicated Students Leadership Award. That same year, she represented Ghana at the Women of Heart Awards, an international platform celebrating and connecting influential women leaders across the globe.
This year, Angbanlife’s story took another significant turn at the MTN Ghana SME Support Program (Awards) in Tamale. The competition was tough. Businesses applied, pitched, and were shortlisted before winners were selected. Angbanlife emerged as one of the awardees, securing a facility of GH¢20,000 from the MTN Ghana Foundation.
For Niamatu, the award is more than financial support – it is validation. “I’m very happy about this recognition,” she says. “The grant will help us scale up production, introduce our new varieties, and most importantly, reach more customers. MTN has given us a platform not only to grow but also to connect with other young entrepreneurs and build meaningful partnerships.”
Brewing the Future
As Angbanlife looks ahead, the vision is clear: expand its product line, scale operations, and continue providing Ghanaians and eventually the world with healthy, locally grown tea options.
“Angbanlife is not just about business,” Niamatu emphasizes. “It’s about promoting wellness, creating jobs, and showing that with the right support, local entrepreneurs can compete and thrive.”
Thanks to MTN Ghana’s SME Support Program, the dream of turning a traditional Ghanaian drink into a lifestyle brand is no longer far-fetched. Angbanlife is brewing a future where every sip tells a story of culture, health, and opportunity.
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/JosephZiem
