From selling food to solving problems: How Esther Owusu Nkwantabisah rethought entrepreneurship

When Esther Owusu Nkwantabisah needed a display fridge for her fledgling food business, buying one was not an option. So she improvised. Using a large styrofoam box wrapped in wooden pallets, Esther created a makeshift display that kept her local drinks and savoury products cold while allowing her to present them professionally to customers. It was a simple solution, but one that captured the philosophy that would come to define her approach to entrepreneurship: build with what you have and do not wait for perfect conditions to begin. “Lack of resources should not automatically become a lack of action,” she said. Today, that philosophy extends beyond selling food. What began as a university side hustle was formally registered as Abukay Cuisine in 2019 and launched after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded and owned by Esther, the Ghanaian food business has become a platform through which she has explores21qsad the intersection of nutrition, sustainability and community impact. From Food Science to Entrepreneurship Esther’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in nutrition, food science and product development. She studied Family and Consumer Sciences before completing her National Service at Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority, where she gained practical exposure to food safety, standards and regulation. While at university, she began experimenting with what would eventually become Abukay, developing food products connected to her interests in nutrition and sustainability. Then, in 2020, her plans changed abruptly. After completing her National Service and securing full-time employment, Esther lost her job as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted businesses around the world. It came during an already difficult period personally, one she would later describe as her “planting season”.…