Just as many entrepreneurs, Sesime Ama Lotsu’s story is one of passion, perseverance and profound impact. From her humble beginnings in Hohoe in the Volta Region to founding Binas Prime Enterprise, Sesime has transformed her childhood fascination with cooking into a thriving business.
Her journey is marked by a dedication to quality, an unwavering commitment to community empowerment, and an innovative approach to overcoming challenges.
Read more as she shares her story of how she overcame the hurdles of job searching by creating one for herself!
Education and experience
Sesime’s educational path began at St. Francis Demonstration Primary and Junior High School, followed by Accra Girls’ Secondary School (Agiss). Her passion for hospitality and catering led her to pursue a certificate in Cookery for the Catering Industry Part 1 at Ho Polytechnic, where she later completed an HND in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management.
Sesime furthered her education at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) with a BSc. in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and an MSc. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Her early professional experiences included secretarial work at Lelac Printing Press on the Legon campus and roles as a cargo handling agent at Real Aviation Airlines and Mariconsult companies at Kotoka International Airport. These positions not only provided practical skills but also opportunities to travel to the U.K. and USA, which further inspired her academic pursuits.
But one will ask, how did she arrive at Binas?
The journey
Sesime recounted that she realised her love for cooking from an early age but had no idea it would land her where she is now, though that influenced her educational decisions.
She noted that even with her educational background, she faced difficulty in securing a well-paid job in Ghana after graduation and that fuel her motivation to invest in her passion and learning.
As such, she thought of her mother’s homemade ginger biscuits, developed and standardised it with her own recipes— arriving at her business.
“My business was inspired by two farm products: ginger and plantain. Initially, my mother made biscuits with ginger, though without a standard recipe. I developed various recipes, standardising measurements for consistent quality. This led to the creation of ginger powder for cookies, which received positive feedback from shops, friends and family.
“Following successful trials, I sought nutritional analysis and quality evaluation from the Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), both of which approved my products.
“Similarly, I developed plantain crisps, undergoing the same rigorous testing and obtaining Food and Drugs Authority certification. Internships at various hotels in Ghana and work experiences in biscuit manufacturing factories in the UK and the U.S. provided valuable insights into best practices, which I applied to my business.”
She said her swift approach to turning her passion into profit was one of the best decisions she has made.
“I made a decision that I have never regretted by expanding on what I learnt in school from my entrepreneurship and food technology lectures, combined with my own home-based ideas, and started my own business,” she said.
Products
Formally registered in 2018, Binas Prime Enterprise offers a diverse range of products, including: Ginger Cookies; Plantain Crisps ; Cocoyam Crisps; Sweet Potato Crisps; Cassava Crisps and Pastries.
Uniqueness
The unique selling points of Binas Prime products lie in their organic ingredients, use of original vegetable oil, hygienic preparation, great taste and affordability. The ginger cookies, for example, are made from 100 percent high-quality cassava flour, a gluten-free and vegan-friendly ingredient sourced locally in Ghana. This adaptation emerged during the Ukraine war when wheat flour shortages highlighted the need for innovative solutions using local resources.
Vision
Looking ahead, Sesime aims to expand Binas Prime Enterprise to capture a section of the export market within the next five years.
She is committed to employing and training more youths, especially females, to help them acquire the skills needed to become self-sufficient in similar businesses. Her vision extends beyond profit, focusing on community empowerment and sustainable development.
Challenges
Despite her successes, Sesime faces significant challenges. Financing remains a primary hurdle, limiting capital augmentation necessary for scaling the business. The unstable weather conditions in Ghana also impact the availability of farm produce, making it crucial to leverage seasonal ingredients.
Advice
“Stay focused, determined, goal-oriented and manage your finances wisely. These principles will pave the way for success,” she advised.
Contact details
Phone: +233-201137324 (WhatsApp)
– Website: [Binas Prime](http://www.binasprime.com)
Online Store: [Ayekoo Mart](https://binas.ayekoomart.com)
Instagram: [binas_prime](https://www.instagram.com/binas_prime)
– Facebook: [Binas Prime](https://www.facebook.com/BinasPrime)
