Suleman Zakiya is a young graduate, who after so many failed attempts to secure a job, did not give up but decided to surmount the challenge by preparing powdered ‘Hausa koko’, which has become the favorite breakfast for many Ghanaians.
What inspired her?
Background
Suleman Zakiya was born to Alhaji Suleman Iddrisu and Hajia Fatima Adam in Koforidua, Eastern Region on 30th November 1990. She is the fourth of the five children brought forth by her parents. She started her education at Gateco Preparatory School and continued at the New Juabeng Senior High School (NJUASCO), all in koforidua. She then furthered her tertiary education at the University of Ghana where she graduated with a combined major in Sociology and Archeology in 2013.
Life after school
She did her national service with Youth Employment Agency (YEA). That was when her search for a permanent job begun.
“Even before my national service ended I started searching for a job. I kept on searching and searching but to no avail. 2014 passed with no positive news and we entered 2015. I had high hopes of getting a job in 2015, but that year also came to pass. So I told myself that in 2016, come what may, I would never sit idle. I would resort to whatever fair means to get a job,” she said.
Life, however, became increasingly frustrating as the little amount she saved from her national service allowance eventually dried up.
What compounded the situation is what many young graduates in the country can identify with. As a graduate in our part of the world, you are expected to reward your parents’ efforts by replicating the care they gave you throughout your education. However, the tables had rather turned for Zakiya, as she sometimes rather had to go to her parents for financial support. A situation most graduates admits torments their conscience.
How she became an entrepreneur
With her determination and desperation to get something doing in 2016, Zakiya remembered a childhood treasure from her mother.
She recalled how her mother used to prepare powdered ‘housa koko’—a form of local porridge made with millet and some spices like ginger and pepper—and exported it to her elder brothers who lived outside the country.
“I discussed with my parents the business idea I have come up with. And they encouraged me it was a very good idea but cautioned I am not going to find it easy. Yes, I knew it won’t be easy but I was determined to do it. I also discussed the idea with some trusted people who also assured me it would be a successful business.
Beyond the discussion I also saw an existing market for the business. It is common to see people queue in the morning to buy some housa koko for their breakfast. So I thought, why not bring out a product that will ease people of this stress and save them time?” she asked.
When asked what she thinks is the strength of her product that makes it a preferred choice to other breakfast services offered out there, Zakiya replied that her product is “unique in taste and also assures good health as it is produced under a good hygienic condition; which has been tested by the Food and Drug’s Authority and currently waiting to be certified.”
Challenges
As usual, one common challenge among many entrepreneurs is the age old issue of capital. As a young lady who had not ever been permanently employed by any company, Zakiya said she barely had any reserves to rely on as capital, so she had to fall on family and friends to assist her with some money to start her business.
Another challenge the young entrepreneur shared with B&FT is the prevalence of red tapes and too many bureaucracies in the system. According to her, it takes quite a lot of time to obtain certain permits and certificates that is essential to run a business. she added that the amount involved is sometimes also expensive to bear for a start-up company.
What help should budding entrepreneurs be given?
“I think government must first intensify education and campaign on Made in Ghana goods so as to awaken the desire in consumers to buy locally produced goods rather than always look elsewhere for products which are readily available here.
Government must also make funding easily accessible to start-ups. Even though there are interventions like YEA, YES and the like, many applicants complain of not having easy access to them. So there must be structures in place to make them easily accessible,” she said.
How do you market your product?
I used my family and friends as my first market and relied on them to give me their candid perception about the product so I can improve on it. I also advertise using social media and I make sure I remain in contact with whoever I sell my product to.
Her Vision
Zakiya’s vision is to get her products into the international market and all parts of the country: “My vision is that in the near future, Asali koko mix will be able to get to every part of the country and even outside the country; and be the preferred choice of breakfast for many.”
B&FT
