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Bold and Brave with Oko Laryea – The Grill House Story!

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Bold and Brave with Oko Laryea – The Grill House Story
Bold and Brave with Oko Laryea – The Grill House Story

Great food has a way of bringing people together, and no one understands this better than Oko Laryea, the mastermind behind Grill House—one of Accra’s go-to spots for mouthwatering burgers, hotdogs, and wings. This week on Bold and Brave, we sat down with Oko to uncover the journey behind Grill House and how he turned his passion for food into a successful business.

From an Idea to Accra’s Burger Haven 🍔

Every entrepreneur has a story, and Oko’s began with a simple love for great food. What started as a desire to create the perfect burger soon evolved into a full-fledged business that has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of food lovers across Accra.

Grill House isn’t just about serving meals—it’s about crafting an experience. Whether it’s their signature OG Burger with GH sauce, the fully-loaded Stacked Burger, or the irresistible Chili Dog, Grill House has mastered the art of comfort food.

Building a Brand Without Putting a Face to It

Interestingly, Oko prefers to keep the focus on his brand rather than on himself. During the interview, he shared why some entrepreneurs choose to operate behind the scenes, allowing their work to speak for itself. Grill House’s success is a testament to the fact that a strong brand, excellent service, and quality products can build a loyal customer base—no face needed.

Challenges and Triumphs in the Food Business

Running a food business comes with its share of challenges—managing quality control, meeting customer expectations, and keeping up with Accra’s competitive food scene. However, Oko’s commitment to consistency, innovation, and top-tier service has made Grill House a household name for anyone craving a delicious meal.

What’s Next for Grill House? 🚀

As Grill House continues to grow, Oko remains focused on expanding his reach, improving customer experience, and adding new exciting flavors to the menu. His entrepreneurial journey proves that passion, hard work, and a clear brand vision can take a business to great heights.

Watch the Full Interview! 🎥

Missed the live interview? Watch it now!
👉 Watch Here

For more inspiring stories from Ghana’s young entrepreneurs, tune in to Bold and Brave every Thursday at 11:00 AM on Sweet Melodies 94.3 FM! 🎙️🔥

#BoldAndBrave #SweetMelodiesFM #GrillHouse #OkoLaryea #FoodEntrepreneur #Burgers #Hotdogs #GhanaBusiness

Bold and Brave: Emmanuella Bervelyn Akande – The Vine Floral Story!

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Bold and Brave: Emmanuella Bervelyn Akande – The Vine Floral Story
Bold and Brave: Emmanuella Bervelyn Akande – The Vine Floral Story

Flowers are more than just beautiful decorations—they tell stories, express emotions, and bring moments to life. This week on Bold and Brave, we had the pleasure of speaking with Emmanuella Bervelyn Akande, the visionary behind Vine Floral, a brand that is redefining floral artistry in Ghana.

From Passion to Business – The Birth of Vine Floral

For Emmanuella, flowers were always more than just petals and stems—they were a passion waiting to bloom into something bigger. With a love for creativity and design, she turned her admiration for floral arrangements into a thriving business, crafting stunning bouquets and floral designs that leave a lasting impression.

During the interview, Ella shared how Vine Floral started as a dream and has since blossomed into a recognized name in the floral industry. Despite the challenges of building a business in Ghana’s competitive space, she remained resilient, innovative, and committed to offering top-tier floral experiences.

Overcoming Challenges as a Young Entrepreneur

No entrepreneurial journey is without obstacles, and Ella’s story is no exception. From sourcing quality flowers to navigating client expectations and standing out in the industry, she faced her fair share of hurdles. But with determination, creativity, and a customer-focused approach, Vine Floral has grown into a trusted brand known for its unique and elegant floral designs.

What Makes Vine Floral Unique?

One of the standout aspects of Vine Floral is its personalized approach to floral arrangements. Whether it’s for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, or surprise gifts, Ella and her team ensure that each bouquet tells a story. Her passion for details and dedication to client satisfaction set Vine Floral apart in the industry.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

When asked about advice for young entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses, Ella emphasized the importance of passion, consistency, and customer service. She encouraged others to pursue their dreams despite challenges, as every business journey is filled with lessons that contribute to growth.

Watch the Full Interview! 🎥

Missed the live session? You can catch the full interview here:
👉 Watch Now

https://www.facebook.com/sweetmelodiesfm/videos/649316567634458

For more inspiring stories from Ghana’s young entrepreneurs, tune in to Bold and Brave every Thursday at 11:00 AM on Sweet Melodies 94.3 FM! 🎙️✨

#BoldAndBrave #SweetMelodiesFM #VineFloral #EllaAkande #Entrepreneurship #FloralArtistry #GhanaBusiness

President Mahama is committed to inclusive and participatory governance – Dr. Amoakohene 

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     Kumasi, Feb. 27, GNA – Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister says inclusive and participatory governance have been restored under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama. 

He said the President’s consultative approach to governance, which had seen stakeholder engagement in all sectors, was the way to go in formulating policies that reflected the aspirations of the people 

Speaking at the Ashanti Region edition of the National Education Forum in Kumasi, the Regional Minister emphasised the President’s commitment to providing efficient governance emanating from the ambitions of Ghanaians. 

The forum, which was on the theme, “Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future” brought together key stakeholders in education to brainstorm on how best to improve education in Ghana. 

Participants, who converged at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) discussed critical issues requiring urgent attention in the education sector.

The forum follows a campaign promise by President Mahama to hold a national discussion on challenges confronting education in the country for a collective decision on the way forward.     

Dr. Amoakohene, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the President, reaffirmed the President’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child had access to quality education. 

He further emphasised the urgent need to address the growing challenges of child labour and street begging, which continue to deprive many children of their right to education. 

The Regional Minister also spoke about the need for dedicated funding for education as a country determined to make education the fulcrum of national development. 

He said while the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) had played a pivotal role in supporting education over the last 26 years, but it had become extremely imperative for Ghana to explore additional funding mechanisms to ensure sustainable support for higher education. 

“Let us work together to build an education system that guarantees every child the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed,” Dr. Amoakohene urged the participants. 

SEND Ghana, GAND train Journalists on Front-of-Pack Warning labels

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Accra, Feb 26, GNA – SEND Ghana, a leading advocacy organization, in partnership with the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND), has organized a training programme for selected journalists on Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL).

The training aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively report on the implementation of FOPWL in Ghana.

Key topics covered during the training included the Ghanaian food environment and its impact on health, understanding FOPWL, potential interference in food policy, the role of media in public health advocacy, and a model media reporting workshop.

The programme also addressed the current state of nutrition labelling in Ghana, highlighting the challenges and opportunities, and emphasized the benefits of FOPWL, including their potential to promote healthier eating habits and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases.

Ms. Baaba Sam, a Field Officer at SEND Ghana, provided an overview of the programme, stating that the objective of the training was to enhance participants’ understanding of FOPWL and strengthen the media’s capacity to advocate for policies through evidence-based, data-driven, and impactful reporting on Ghana’s food labelling policies and enforcement.

She noted that the media played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and raising awareness on important health issues, and therefore, must be equipped to effectively fulfill that responsibility.

“We believe that this training will equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively report on front-of-pack warning labels and promote public awareness and understanding,” she said.

Mr. Joseph Danquah, the General Secretary of GAND, explained that the training was a response to Ghana’s growing crisis of non-communicable diseases, many of which had underlying causes linked to unhealthy processed foods.

He said that GAND was commitment to advocating for mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) regulations that were appropriate for the Ghanaian market.

The training programme, which is part of SEND Ghana’s efforts to promote public awareness and understanding, was expected to provide participants with a clear understanding of Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) and their role in promoting public health.

It aimed to equip participants to produce well-researched, fact-based stories and advocate for policies that would require food manufacturers to provide clear and transparent information on unhealthy food products.

A total of 20 journalists from the Print, Electronic, and new media participated in the two-day training.

Ghana’s cocoa farms under siege; 30,000 hectares of cocoa farms destroyed by galamseyers

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Accra, Feb.27, GNA–Ghana’s cocoa is under siege as illegal small-scale mining, felling of timber and sand mining activities have destroyed 30,000 hectares of cocoa farms nationwide as of December 2024.

Dr Randy Abbey, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, who made this known during a day’s conference for members of Parliament in Accra, said another 50,000 hectares of cocoa farms were at risk of destruction.

“Illegal small-scale mining is ultimately diminishing the land under cultivation, levels of output and incomes of cocoa farmers,” Dr Abbey stated.

The CEO of COCOBOD indicated that because of the impact of illegal mining on cocoa farms, Japan and European Union will from September this year test Ghana’s cocoa beans to ascertain whether they contain heavy metals.

In view that, Dr Abbey said COCOBOD had decided to set up a state-of-the-art laboratory at the Quality Control Centre in Tema to test Ghana’s cocoa beans to ascertain whether there are any traces of heavy metals before being packaged for export.

Dr Abbey announced plans by COCOBOD to table the Economic Protection Act, (ARFCD 47) of 1979, to amend the law to tackle the incidents of felling of cocoa trees.

The amendment would make the law more punitive and ensure that those who fell cocoa trees, without justifiable reasons, receive severe punishment and heavy fines.

Currently, he said, cocoa provides direct jobs to two million Ghanaians and additional five million indirect jobs.

Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in his address, said the government would support MPs to lead the charge in their constituencies to mobilise their constituents to form Community Mining Co-operatives to engage in proper mining.

The Minister said the Community Mining Cooperatives would be issued with mining licences and assisted to acquire mining concessions to undertake legal small-scale mining.

The minister underscored the need for collective responsibility by all stakeholders to protect and preserve the natural resources.

“Illegal small-scale mining is a social and economic crisis that threatened our livelihoods,” he noted.

The minister observed that out of the 288 forest reserves in the country 44 of them were under serious threats by illegal mining, representing 7,500 hectares of standard football field.

The minister said the turbidity levels of the water bodies had worsened currently ranging from 5,000 to 12,000 NTU, which in normal circumstances should range between zero and 500.

The minister expressed President John Mahama’s commitment to tackle the galamsey menace head-on.

“The fight against illegal small-scale mining must get to the root cause and identify the main financiers and big wigs and shame them,” he said.

The conference was held on the theme, “Restoring a Culture of Proper Small-Scale Mining in Ghana,” which brought together MPs, heads of agencies under the Ministry including the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, Lands Commission and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as Civil Society Organisations.

The parliamentarians were tasked to take tangible actions to drive change in their respective constituencies to curb the illegal mining scourge.

They would also be equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills, and tools to lead the charge in their respective constituencies to crackdown on the menace.

Three women to receive the ‘Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings Legacy Honours’

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Accra, Feb. 26, GNA – The Agrihouse Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focusing on agriculture in Ghana, has institutionalise the Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings Legacy Honours, presented in 2024, to honour outstanding women leaders.

It will, therefore, begin with the recognition of three outstanding women on March 12, 2025, one from Ghana and two from other African countries.

The Foundation, she said, aimed at sustaining the programme annually to honour women who are making generational changes.

Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director, Agrihouse Foundation, made the announcement at the launch of the seventh edition of the Gathering of the Royals (GOTR), and the Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings Legacy Honours, introduced by the Agrihouse Foundation in Accra.

The award seeks to recognise women making impact in the society in all aspects of life.

The GOTR evolved from the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards due to the positive feedback.

This year’s theme is: “Seed for Change – Honouring Leadership, Inspiring Hope, and Strengthening Women to Innovatively Enhance Our Agri-Food Future.”

Ms Akosa said the Award would also champion and advance the causes and principles of Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings and all she ‘’stood for”.

“By this, we hope to instill in the growing young females and inspire them to be committed to making personal, community, regional, national and global impact as women,” she said.

Nominations would be opened for women, 31 years old and above, signifying the age Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings passionately commenced pushing for the advancement of women.

The nominees must be leaders who had inspired countless women in their home country and across the globe.

They must possess a strength of character and great love for education, art and culture and must be at the forefront of empowering women, giving hope as well as creating jobs and opportunities.

The name ‘Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings’ was symbolic, representing women who fight till the end, Ms Akosa said, and  encouraged women to make generational impacts and not just short-term changes.

Mr John Osei Frimpong, Former Member of Parliament for Abirem and Chairman, Agriculture Committee in Parliament, said although women remained the backbone of agriculture, many continued to face barriers that hindered their full participation in the industry.

He said women must be equipped with the knowledge, access and support systems that allowed them to lead confidently and innovate without limitations.

Mr Osei Frimpong acknowledged that queen mothers held the key to growth of sustainable farming in their communities.

Mr Eric Hudson Asamani, Greater Accra Regional Agriculture Director, noted that agriculture was a powerful driver of economic growth, food security, and employment, hence the Department was working diligently to create an enabling environment for farmers to succeed.

He said the theme was a reminder that agriculture was about production, leadership, innovation and inclusive growth that empowered individuals, especially women, to build stronger and more sustainable food systems.

“This commitment extends to the promotion of modern farming

techniques, climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, and

agribusiness empowerment,” Mr Asamani stated.

He expressed assurance of the Department’s unwavering commitment to advancing the agricultural sector.

KRIF awards loyal customers as it turns 39

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Accra, Feb.26, GNA – KRIF Ghana Limited, dealers in stationery and office equipment, has awarded over 20 institutions for patronising its products for the past 39 years.

The Reverend Kennedy Okosun, the Executive Chairman, KRIF, said the award was an appreciation of the invaluable contributions the institutions made towards the growth of the organisation.

Speaking at the KRIF Customer Awards Day in Accra on Wednesday, he noted that KRIF could not have succeeded in 39 years without the patronage and loyalty of its customers and partners.

Some known institutions who were awarded included the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Dalex Finance, First National Bank, Phoenix Insurance, StarLife Assurance, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Addressing the audience, Mr Okosun noted that the ceremony was also part of activities put together by KRIF to celebrate 39 years in the sale of stationary and office equipment business.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that our success is not solely ours. It is a collective achievement, made possible by hard work, dedication, and expertise of our team players, partners, and stakeholders. We are grateful for their tireless efforts and commitment to excellence,” he said.

Mr Winfred Noi-Lartey, a representative of the NPRA, one of the award recipients, expressed joy for the recognition and said the gesture attested to KRIF’s thoughtfulness about its customers and commitment to serving them with quality and cost-effective products.

He encouraged other businesses  to emulate KRIF’s example.

Aside from the awards, the event also saw the exhibition of some products.

Mr Enoch Manford, Operations Manager, KRIF Ghana, encouraged more people to patronise the company’s products.

He said his organisation represented top 20 brands in Europe and other countries, which was of good quality.

 “So, if you buy anything from KRIF, be assured that you are getting the best products for your office and homes.”

Mohamed Salah gives another clue about leaving Liverpool as the contract dispute rages on.

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With his contract dispute with Liverpool still ongoing, striker Mohamed Salah has given another clue about his future.

With only a few months left on his current contract and no agreement reached on a new one, Salah’s future at Liverpool is still very much in doubt. The forward may be leaving following another incredible season in which he has been in inspiring form for the Reds as they continue to fight for three trophies, having previously acknowledged that “he’s more out than in” at Anfield.

Liverpool’s star man has bagged 30 goals already this season and, even though he will turn 33 in June, his exit would surely represent a huge blow to the Merseysiders. Salah has given a fresh interview with club legend Steve McManaman and his comments may have Reds fans fearing the worst as he looks back on his career.

He told TNT Sports: “I want fans to remember that I gave it all to the fans. I gave it all to the city. I was here, I wasn’t lazy, I just enjoyed my football and gave it all. I think that’s what the city is about – they give you love and you have a connection with them because you give your all. I just want them to remember that I was here for eight years and I gave it all.”

Salah has 25 goals already this season in the English top flight and is just 11 away from matching Erling Haaland’s all-time record of 36 in a single Premier League campaign.

Liverpool fans must continue to wait anxiously for official news on Salah’s future. In the meantime, the Egyptian superstar will be back in action with the Reds on Wednesday night against Newcastle in the Premier League.

African Chamber of Content Producers calls for halt to commodity smuggling

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The African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) has raised concerns over the rampant smuggling of essential commodities such as sugar and cooking oil into Ghana, particularly through the country’s borders with Togo and Ivory Coast.

The activity, they said was creating unfair market conditions, discouraging investment, collapsing legitimate businesses, and depriving the state of crucial tax revenues for national development.

“As an organization dedicated to promoting a positive image of Africa and fostering economic growth, the Chamber has engaged multiple businesses and investors who have expressed frustration over the impact of unregulated cross-border smuggling.

“Several importers, some of whom are members of the Chamber, have reported that smuggled goods-priced significantly lower due to tax evasion and lack of statutory compliance-are flooding the Ghanaian market, making it impossible for legitimate businesses to compete”.

A statement signed by Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, the Executive Director of ACCP and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said implications of this situation were dire.

“The Chamber has worked extensively to attract investors to Ghana, but many have withdrawn their interest after confirming that widespread smuggling will create an unfair playing field for their businesses.

“This development poses a serious risk to job creation and economic stability at a time when Ghana needs to enhance business confidence to drive sustainable growth”.

The statement said smuggling was not just a business issue, but a national economic crisis.

“Data from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) indicates that the country loses billions of Ghana cedis annually due to smuggling-related tax evasion. In an economy that relies heavily on tax revenue for infrastructure, healthcare, and social services, these losses are deeply concerning and unsustainable”.

The African Chamber of Content Producers urged the government to adopt immediate and coordinated action to prioritize the fight against smuggling by strengthening border security, enforcing trade regulations, and implementing policies that protect legitimate businesses.

It also urged relevant state agencies, such as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs Division, Ministry of Trade, and National Security to intensify efforts to identify, disrupt, and prosecute smuggling networks operating through Ghana’s borders.

Given the cross-border nature of this issue, the statement encouraged engagement with ECOWAS, the African Union, and other relevant international trade organizations to develop regional mechanisms that would prevent illicit trade.

They also called on the Media and Civil Society Organizations to highlight and drive public discourse to demand solutions.

“Unchecked smuggling does not only threaten business sustainability and investor confidence, it undermines Ghana’s economic integrity, trade policies, and fiscal stability. As Ghana works towards building a strong, transparent, and business-friendly environment, it is imperative that all stakeholders come together to eliminate illicit trade practices that could derail these efforts.

“The African Chamber of Content Producers remains committed to working with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international partners to support policies and initiatives that will curb smuggling and create a fair, competitive business environment”.

MPs schooled on proper mining practices to tackle galamsey  

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Accra, Feb.26, GNA-The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Wednesday organised a day’s conference for members of Parliament (MPs) to re-orient and sensitise them on best mining practices and seek their support to collectively tackle the illegal mining menace. 

The parliamentarians were tasked to take tangible actions to drive change in their respective constituencies to curb the illegal mining scourge. 

They would also be equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills and tools to lead the charge in their respective constituencies to crackdown on the menace. 

The conference, which was held on the theme, “Restoring a Culture of Proper Small-Scale Mining in Ghana,” brought together 180   parliamentarians, heads of agencies under the Ministry including the Ghana Geological Authority, Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, Lands Commission and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as Civil Society Organisations. 

Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in his address, said the government would support MPs to lead the charge in their constituencies to mobilise their constituents to form Community Mining Co-operatives to engage in proper mining. 

The Minister said the Community Mining Cooperatives would be issued with mining licences and assisted to acquire mining concessions to undertake legal small-scale mining. 

The minister underscored the need for collective responsibility by all stakeholders to protect and preserve the natural resources. 

“Illegal small-scale is a social and economic crisis that threatened our livelihoods. 

He observed that out of the 288 forest reserves in the country 44 of them were under serious threats by illegal mining, representing 7,500 hectares of standard football field. 

The minister said the turbidity levels of the water bodies had worsened, currently ranging from 5,000 to 12,000 NTU, which in normal circumstances should range between zero and 500. 

The minister expressed President John Mahama’s commitment to tackle the galamsey menace head-on. 

“Fighting illegal small-scale mining must get to the root cause and identify the main financiers and big wigs and shame them,” he said. 

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, the Special Guest for the conference, said the choices the stakeholders would make today would impact the future generation. 

She noted, “We must move from rhetoric to tangible actions to drive change in our constituencies.” 

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