Many have wondered the sudden growth of the fine dining business in the Ashanti region; a business which previously was alien to the region and largely, had been identified with the cosmopolitan life of the capital city, Accra.
Well, it all started with the vision of Mr. Albert Owusu Amoako, a Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) alumnus, known amongst his peers as ‘Dadaa’, who after realizing the hospitality business in the Kumasi metropolis were predominantly local eateries known as ‘chop bars’, took it upon himself to create corporates spaces for the bourgeois.
The Culture and Tourism graduate of KNUST had his vision inspired by offering class, privacy and comfortable hang out environment to the elites and societies’ upper echelons resulting in the creation of the Casa Ashanti Ltd. Company in 2019.
The Casa Ashanti business empire boost of the ‘Casa Restaurant’, ‘Luuma Restaurant’, ‘Cedar Restaurant’ and the ‘808 Bistro’ all in the Kumasi Metropolis.
Out of this vision and the successful growth of these brands, the Kumasi metropolis and largely the Ashanti region has seen a significant boost in the acceptance and growth of the fine dining business, changing the phase of the hospitality business in the region.
In an exclusive interview with Pure FM’s Evans Osei-Bonsu on the sidelines of the Ghana Tourism Awards, Mr. Amoako indicated that his conviction has been to solve problems.
“Yes, I was the first local guy to create a fine dining business in the region.
We had seen a growth of this industry in Accra but not Kumasi.
This is why it became my personal affirmation to take up this challenge to create this for the elites, corporate guys and the upper-class individuals who may need a different experience from the regular ones we were used to.
Today, many have followed suit after the successes my brands have chalked in this sector.”
“It is not a competition. I am excited at the growth. It is good for the culture of the metropolis and the region.
We have enormous potential in this hospitality area and with the right attitude, we can tap into this to boost the economy of the region and create more employment avenues for our young ones and others that look up to us.
Before I moved in, foreigners had taken over this sector but I am glad to see my fellow compatriots leading the charge now.”
“We can do more. The only challenge is the working attitude of some of our Ghanaian brothers and sisters that we employ but I’m sure with time, we shall overcome.
It stems from the fact restaurant jobs are disregarded by some parents but like I said, with the right attitude and time, we shall embrace it better than we see now.” Mr. Amoako stated.
Casa Ashanti Ltd. Company earned the coveted award of being the best fine dining business.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
