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Gloria Boateng, 26, founded Helsinki's only Ghanaian restaurant without industry experience
🇫🇮 Finland /Culture & Society

Gloria Boateng, 26, founded Helsinki's only Ghanaian restaurant without industry experience

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Gloria Boateng, with no prior restaurant experience, opened Omo Omo, Helsinki's only Ghanaian restaurant, after moving from Ghana via Italy.
  • Facing financial and operational challenges, including working alone and burnout, Boateng's business was saved by adding Ghanaian dishes to the menu.
  • The restaurant now serves traditional dishes like Jollof rice and Red Red, allowing Boateng to pay herself and hire her first employee.

Gloria Boateng, 26, dared to take a risk a few years ago, deciding to open Helsinki's only Ghanaian restaurant, Omo Omo, despite having little money and no experience in the restaurant industry. Boateng, who moved to Finland from Ghana via Italy at age 14, pursued her dream after working for four years in shoe stores, even after her initial bank loan application for the cafe was denied.

I had no money and no experience, but I decided, it doesn't matter. I'm going to make the impossible possible somehow.

— Gloria BoatengOn her decision to open a cafe despite lacking resources.

"I had no money and no experience, but I decided, it doesn't matter. I'm going to make the impossible possible somehow," Boateng said. After quitting her retail job without a safety net, she eventually secured a loan and rented a small commercial space in Töölö in the fall of 2024. "Opening the cafe was really scary, but I love taking risks," she admitted.

Opening the cafe was really scary, but I love taking risks.

— Gloria BoatengOn the emotional experience of starting her business.

Initially, the cafe attracted customers with its homemade pastries, specialty coffees, and Ghanaian dishes. However, Boateng, working alone from morning to night without days off, experienced burnout. The first two years were a struggle for survival, described as "much more difficult than I could have ever imagined." Six months ago, Boateng decided to incorporate more authentic Ghanaian food into the menu, a move that revitalized the business and brought customers back.

All was much more difficult than I could have ever imagined.

— Gloria BoatengReflecting on the early challenges of running the cafe.

"I am moved by how enthusiastically people have received Ghanaian food," she said. This change allowed Boateng to finally pay herself a salary and hire her first employee. Omo Omo now offers a small à la carte menu featuring popular dishes like Jollof rice with spicy chicken and "Red Red," a combination of bean stew and fried plantains. Boateng expressed pride in introducing Ghanaian culinary culture to Helsinki, stating, "As far as I know, my restaurant is the first and only Ghanaian restaurant in Helsinki."

I am moved by how enthusiastically people have received Ghanaian food.

— Gloria BoatengOn the positive reception of Ghanaian dishes at her restaurant.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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