A sample of the plantain chip from Jamil’s factory
A 2011 University of Ghana Business Administration graduate has started a plantain chip business that has been certified by Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to give employment to 46 persons.
Jamil Iddrisu, the brain behind the venture, thought about undertaking a business and finally settled on plantain chips after observing the rising patronage of the product in Accra.
Pushed by the urge for doing it differently with a unique brand, he went to the drawing board and came up with Dona Plantain Chips, which is beginning to attract the attention of local hotels.
Speaking to BUSINESS GUIDE, Jamil exhibited his modesty when he said the credit of the business should be shared with other staff, adding “I am in charge of the ideas and the others the implementation. They deserve credit for what we have achieved so far.”
“We are trying to break into the market although it’s difficult but we shall continue to push. Some shops are reluctant to accept the product because according to them it’s new. Registered as Donations Chips, the packaging without doubt, meets international standards. It has both the FDA and GSA certification and therefore fit for even the international market,” he said.
As to how he is funding the business he said, “I am personally funding it, and I have other concepts which I would soon roll out onto the market.”
Regarding the offseason supply of plantain, he said something which the Agriculture Ministry would find interesting.
“This year there has been an all-year round supply of plantain. And this is attributable to the government’s interventions in the agriculture sector. “There has therefore been no shortage at all since we commenced business,” he said.
“In future we intend introducing other flavours aside the current salted chips as part of our expansion programme. We would have pepper-flavoured chips for instance.”
He said he is ready to venture into the export market, saying “we have such plans. We would face the bureaucratic challenges squarely and register our products on there.”
For now he said he would rather the pictures of his staffers are used since he shares the glory with them.
“In spite of the challenges I would continue to engage with the relevant institutions. It’s team work, and with me are Ephraim Owusu Ansah, a graduate of the Kumasi Polytechnic supported by Vesta Adom, Jonathan Atila, Kofi Joe Norman.”
By A.R. Gomda