I was 'abused' for venturing into 'koko' business - Koko King CEO

Some people thought I was crazy when I decided to venture into selling "Koko" on the streets of Accra, said Albert Osei, Chief Executive Officer of local food outfit, Koko King.

Albert, a university graduate, quit his job as a banker and chose to provide the popular breakfast to lower and middle level staff in offices and commuters in the capital.

A business which initially started with three people - a cook, a driver and Albert himself - now has over 150 sales agents scattered all over Accra providing assortments of locally made breakfast to commuters at vantage locations.

Albert disclosed on the Joy FM Super Morning Show Monday that his target is to employ over 1,000 sales agents across the country to build a major food brand in the country. "We are looking at creating a major food brand in Ghana and in the world with time", Mr. Osei told Bernard Nasara Saibu, co-host of the show.

His success, like that of many, did not come on a silver platter as many of his friends and family members thought it was "crazy" for a university graduate to quit his banking job only to undertake a business in selling porridge, known locally as 'koko' on the streets.

"It was the toughest couple of years of my life [which] I don't want to wish for anybody... some people [including his own colleagues] saw me and they thought I was crazy", he said. He was appreciative to his clients for having faith in his products, something he said was awe-inspiring and spurred him on to do more.

"Our biggest advertisers are the customers; they are so loyal, so fantastic. "We do what we do because we love to do it, not because we have to do it," Albert stated profoundly. He however concedes his clientele has reduced over the past several months due to the economic slowdown.

"Business this year has been tough due to the economic slowdown...parents are no longer buying as they used to...this year has been the toughest, tougher than when we started. Prices are up, things are slow, everything is going up," Mr. Osei lamented.