By Samuel SAM
An entrepreneurial venture forms the cornerstone of a robust economy, spurring creativity, generating employment opportunities, and stimulating economic expansion.
Through transforming concepts into tangible outcomes, entrepreneurs not only follow their dreams but also enhance the welfare of their societies, underscoring how essential enterprise is for community progress.
The University for Development Studies (UDS) serves as an educational hub that equips and motivates its students to recognize potential business openings and transform these insights into thriving enterprises capable of generating fresh market spaces and enhancing community well-being through its TTFP program designed to facilitate early entry into either employment or advanced studies. In this process, aspiring entrepreneurs not only motivate those around them but also drive economic growth and make significant contributions to societal development.
UDS ranks as the third leading institution in the nation and the second publicly funded university in Ghana. It serves as a center for innovation and learning, encapsulated by its slogan 'Knowledge for Service'.
Three budding UDS innovators have strived to expand their horizons beyond mere academic pursuits, aiming to generate employment chances aligned with the university’s standing and supporting governmental efforts to provide job security for youths, thereby tackling high unemployment rates.
The objective of these developers is to turn the challenges faced by common tomatoes and small-scale farmers into a chance to create healthier, delicious, and high-quality wines for everyone.
Genesis of the agribusiness
Tomavi Wines is an emerging agribusiness founded by three young visionaries: Firdaus Mohammed Awal, a graduate research assistant serving as CEO with a degree in Community Nutrition from UDS; Issah Muleikatu, a pharmacy student acting as CMO at Tomavi Wines; and Ramzi Badrun Wunnam, a soon-to-be-graduated Physician Assistant who serves as CFO at Tomavi Wines. These individuals have ventured into entrepreneurial endeavors that extend beyond their formal education disciplines.
This program aims at producing high-quality wine and drinks using tomatoes as a means to reduce tomato waste after harvesting. By ensuring these products have consistent market availability, the project seeks to boost earnings for smallholder tomato growers, thereby minimizing food loss and enhancing food security.
The purpose of this program is to promote growing tomatoes aimed at producing non-alcoholic drinks intended for health-conscious consumers. Considering their nutritional benefits, these beverages include minimal additives to comply with industry standards and consumer preferences.
It fosters innovation through the production of wines made from tomatoes, aiming to capture new markets and boost the earnings of small-scale tomato growers. Guided by their commitment to improve the lives of these farmers and offer more health-conscious choices, Tomavi Wines owes its existence to the vision of its trio of founders.
Firdaus has a strong commitment to ensuring the health and wellness of people through their dietary choices. Before becoming part of the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), he worked as an unpaid internship nutritionist at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), where his focus was on personalized diet plans and nutritional guidance. With extensive experience gained from mentoring students both as a teaching and research aide at universities, along with holding certification as a registered nutritionist, Firdaus contributes valuable expertise to his role.
Muleikatu is both a student and a politician with extensive background in brand promotion and marketing within educational settings. Before becoming affiliated with KIC, she was among the founding members of an on-campus enterprise known as The Good Chef, where they offered Wasawasa (Black Jollof) along with wine produced from corn. Her portfolio reflects a rich array of experiences gathered through various undertakings throughout her career.
Ramzi excels as both a mathematician and meticulous accountant. He plays a crucial role in managing his family's successful enterprise based in Sunyani. Prior to attending KIC, he acted as a financial consultant for his department’s group, maintaining precise and steady fiscal documentation along with strict accountability measures. His understated financial acumen aligns perfectly with the goals of Tomavi Wines.
Daily inspiration
As students, they noticed that many small-scale tomato farmers face significant post-harvest losses, impacting their yields and income. Understanding that tomatoes are rich in nutrients and provide various health benefits, they aimed to address this issue by finding ways to preserve them and create a new product for public use, leading to the development of tomato wine. Their objective was to enhance the value of the crop.
Research indicates that using tomatoes in wine production can help decrease post-harvest losses by utilizing surplus tomatoes that would otherwise be wasted, thereby promoting sustainable farming practices.
Moreover, this could lead to the development of a fresh and steady marketplace for tomato growers, guaranteeing that the farmers' harvests are utilized effectively. This not only bolsters food security but also allows them to achieve higher earnings and enhance their quality of life.
Tomavi Wines aims to create premium wines and drinks, offering customers distinctive and delightful items that will bolster the regional economy. Being an entrepreneurial venture grounded in the local area, Tomavi Wines intends to stimulate economic growth and foster business spirit within the community.
Reasons for joining this industry
"We are driven by the effect this initiative has on both small-scale farmers and wine lovers. Additionally, after conducting a market survey that indicated strong demand for the product, we chose to pursue it. It has since turned into our passion, means of livelihood, and way of contributing to society," stated the innovators.
The trio of entrepreneurs believes that collaboration, enthusiasm, and concentration enabled them to utilize accessible resources effectively. This strategy helped them carve out a specific position in the market since their observations revealed that many uneaten tomatoes end up spoiling and being discarded.
"Our assessments from several medical professionals suggested that consuming tomato wine could enhance the immune system; therefore, we decided to proceed with developing this product for general use," they explained.
It has been observed that a significant number of tomatoes are wasted each year because of inadequate storage facilities and limited access to markets. This issue not only reduces farmers' incomes but also leads to food loss and increased food insecurity. Additionally, the Ghanaian wine market is dominated by imported sugary carbonated drinks. Consequently, these circumstances encouraged their entry into this field.
Patrons and How Their Assistance Helps Expand Your Enterprise
The primary sponsor for entrepreneurship initiatives is the KIC, funded by the Mastercard Foundation. Through this support, their concept has turned into a tangible venture, achieving initial sales and generating significant impact.
They also expect backing from entities such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, UNDP, and more, which aid in fostering young people's local enterprises.
This would assist the country in reaching the objective of energizing young people so they can play a role in boosting economic development and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Letter to Other Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Although it may seem challenging, persisting with determination and maintaining control during difficult periods ensures that there will always be hope on the horizon.
Key accomplishments of Tomavi Wines
Tomavi Wines emerged as the champions at the 2024 Kosmos Innovation Center’s Agritech Classic Finals Pitch Competition. Additionally, they have successfully engaged with approximately 1000 farmers to establish sustainable collaborations and secure tomato supplies for their manufacturing processes.
Obstacles facing business owners in Ghana
The foundation for entrepreneurs to apply their entrepreneurial abilities lies in having access to capacity and resources, which sadly is highly insufficient.
How can we enhance entrepreneurship in Ghana?
Education has emerged as the cornerstone for cultivating talent across all sectors in Ghana, particularly concerning economic growth and development. Incorporating entrepreneurship courses into the syllabus from early schooling through to higher education will reshape individuals' perspectives, encouraging them to create their own comforts instead of merely seeking them out.
Moreover, it is essential for the government to collaborate with the private sector to increase investments in nurturing the talents of young aspiring business owners so they can better support the nation’s socioeconomic progress.
What are your aspirations for the next half-decade?
Tomavi Wines aims to become a multimillion-dollar enterprise and the foremost maker and distributor of wines and drinks throughout Africa and beyond. They strive to significantly benefit small-scale tomato farmers via training programs, alliances, and collaborative efforts.
Guidance for aspiring youthful entrepreneurs
'Where there’s a will, there’s a way,' and 'the journey itself is the reward,' they said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and persistence as you ascend the ladder.
Aspiring business owners and new enterprises should strive to maintain a positive attitude in all circumstances and persevere without giving up.
We welcome partnerships and collaborations with investors, funding organizations, diplomatic bodies, hotels, and various businesses operating within the wine and beverage industry or focusing on tomatoes. We also seek alliances with parties interested in tackling post-harvest losses and food waste to combat food insecurity and secure a better future.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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