Aya: A journey of passion

It feels surreal sitting behind my computer, writing this, and reflecting on the truly incredible journey I’ve had so far but I wanted to share it as a way of motivating other young people to pursue their passion.

At the time, it was 7 months after completing my master’s degree and after months of searching, I’d finally managed to secure an opportunity as a junior development analyst at a Global Food Technology start-up based in London. With the pandemic announced earlier that week, the opportunity came crumbling down faster than you could say the word ‘food’. I was quickly losing morale and like many others took up numerous hobbies to keep myself occupied. After cycling through the arts and crafts, banana bread and knitting arcs of the pandemic, I took up cooking my favourite meals and posting them on my Instagram stories – a desperate attempt to stay sane in the chaos! From Chicken Domoda – an exquisite Gambian dish to the heralded French food classic of the beef bourguignon, I made it all.

It is important to mention that I had spent many years working in the food retail industry to support myself during university, so a place in the kitchen was not unfamiliar to me. The recipes I created started off being meat based but dairy-free, and then I began exploring the wonderous world of ‘veganism’. With the health benefits that followed I quickly saw this becoming my way of life.

As food scarcity began to rise due to complications of the pandemic, I had the brilliant idea of cooking and preserving homemade food, supermarkets had started limiting goods to ‘two per customer’ and for people like myself who had large families or had to buy food for vulnerable people as well as themselves, this was a problem.

How did I learn to mitigate this? As I mentioned before life in the food industry left me with ample knowledge. Sterilising, food handling and so forth. My first experiment was preserving a sweet and sour sauce I’d made. The next experiment that followed was a Ghanaian tomato-based stew. Guess what? I’m still here. My scientific mind was intrigued by how long I could safely store food in a domestic kitchen with basic equipment. They kept for a phenomenally long time! The stew was eaten 6 months post-manufacture and I polished off the last of the sweet and sour sauce in March of 2022.  Result!

Once I realised they kept, I knew I was onto a winner! I thought that I could turn this into a business for many reasons;  firstly – to keep people entertained online, doing something during the pandemic and maintain community morale. Secondly – my new-found vegan lifestyle had inspired me to get creative with traditional Ghanaian and pan-diaspora recipes, I was beyond eager to share this with anyone who gave me a slither of their time. Suddenly, meat wasn’t in, and I had an alternative.

Fuelled by a creative spark, I’d designed some branding, packaging and comms followed by a quick search on Alibaba, I’d managed to pull together a basic business plan. I had a brilliant idea, but we were in the height of a pandemic. I had no access to investment and no way to ensure the safest manufacture of food in a domestic kitchen especially considering my mum was working on a covid ward and there wasn’t much evidence on how covid lives on surfaces and in the air. I quickly learned that starting a small business was no easy feat. I shelved the idea and focused on finding a decently paid job to fund this dream of mine.

Fast forward 2 years, January 2022, I’m 25 and looking at opportunities for young people. My mother had forwarded over the ‘One Southwark’ programme flyer from the St Peters Church group chat. It felt like manna from heaven. I’m dyslexic and often struggle with focus and concentration but in that moment, I opened my computer and worked like I never have before.

Submitting two days before the deadline date, I eagerly followed up my application with a confirmation email to the Programme Director and a brief introduction of myself. I knew I sat on the cusp of opportunities on account of my age. This was an opportunity to see my dream realised and I’d have been foolish to let it pass.

Following an introduction day, in April 2022, I was informed that I had gained a place on the programme, my mum was confused by the mixed emotions of me screaming, jumping and my wet face filled with tears of joy. Hearing that I would receive support and funding for my business was Destiny Fulfilled.

I’m now sat behind my computer, writing this, and reflecting on the truly incredible journey I’ve had so far.

It’s terribly trickly to surmise this 6-month journey into less than 5000 characters. What I’ve learnt so far is that business development takes real grit, patience, and determination. I have a life envisioned for myself that I want to become a reality.

Through the support of the One Southwark programme, I have been connected to industry experts, received financial support which has enabled me to develop my brand and purchase resources for my business, and I’ve been able to access individuals and workshops that have supported my personal development.

The name of my business is: Aya, a plant-based Ghanaian sauce company drawing from three-culture experiences, the diaspora and beyond.

• The aim: re-think Ghana and in turn Africa’s relationship with food.
• USP: plant-based and no compromise on flavour.

Aya is my brainchild. It is an amalgamation of years of food education and creativity. It allows me to create a foundation where plant-based Ghanaian food can move to forefront of emerging international cuisines. This newly lit fire inside of me is because of Aya. Aya helped me find my purpose.

I’m only scraping the tip of the iceberg of all the help and all I have been able to achieve and none of this would have been possible without One Southwark. To be able to sit with my mentor and create milestones for personal and professional development is something I wish more young people had access to. I want to thank One Southwark for being the light that made me shine.

My journey is far from over, but I am on the right track for success.

If you wish to follow my journey, you can check me out on: @helloaya.gb. (Instagram)