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In Greater Accra, where a young entrepreneur’s ambition meets opportunity, Lilipearl found her calling of entrepreneurship meeting UNIDO’s Cluster models and competitiveness to create a global brand awakening her creativity and igniting her entrepreneurial spirit. Through UNIDO’s guidance, she is producing to meet the local and international markets.
“UNIDO helped me to take advantage of opportunities around me and this helped me to take my business to the next level. I moved from a local supplier of processed foods to exporting to the international markets, connecting to regional markets, and forming networks and alliances that are benefiting other entrepreneurs in Ghana.
She had spent years crunching numbers in the banking industry, but her soul yearned for something more—a venture that would grow to become a viable business.
“In 2016, I realized that it was the right time for me to shift from my career as a banker to pursue entrepreneurship. A close friend visited me and was delighted by the milk beverage I served her, prompting her to enthusiastically recommend it to others. This initial endorsement sparked increased demand, motivating me to expand distribution to other clients within the banking industry,” says Lilipearl
As word of mouth spread, more and more people sampled her products and subsequently recommended them to others. This positive chain reaction eventually led to an invitation to supply the beverages at a durbar in Ga South, where officials from the Ghana Enterprises Agency had the opportunity to sample her product and expressed their appreciation for its quality. They helped her with her first certifications, and she soon realized she should fully pursue this business.
Lilipearl Asiedu - Yeenu, CEO of Lili-Pat Group of Companies
Starting with a modest capital of 500 cedis and tripling it, Lilipearl pursued a business in the food processing industry. As she registered her business, Lily faced a dilemma. Every name she proposed was already taken. Frustration gnawed at her, but then inspiration struck. She combined her name, Lily, with her husband Patrick’s—thus, “Lili-Pat” was born. A fusion of love and entrepreneurship.
“ When I went to register my company name at the Registrar General Department, every name I proposed for the registration was already taken. I therefore Coined it myself by combining my name Lily and my husband’s name Patrick. ‘Lili-Pat’ !”
UNIDO Interventions:
Lilipearl along her journey realised product credibility is what would bring her business sustainability.
Her desire to improve made her sign on to the European Union–financed West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) in Ghana, a programme implemented by UNIDO. Her commitment to delivering a reliable product made her diligently follow all the UNIDO strategies to be competitive.
She was guided through certifications, branding strategies, and access to finance.
“Working with WACOMP- Ghana has been an awesome journey for my business. Their support helped me to take advantage of opportunities around me and this helped me to take my business to the next level. I received cluster training from UNIDO in 2021 and 2022, which enhanced my skills in marketing, branding strategies and access to finance. The WACOMP – Ghana team has been coaching my team and me since then. Through UNIDO, I have been able to develop different products, select quality packaging and have access to a network of other producers and cooperate with them,” she acknowledged
UNIDO’s cluster training also enhanced her skills; She learned to collaborate with other producers and certified farmers.
“I am currently part of the WACOMP - Ghana cassava cluster, which allows me to work with certified farmers who can provide organic certification,” she added.
Her business also received support from UNIDO in the form of a cabinet dryer and a commercial dehydrator, significantly improving her production capacity and efficiency.
As a result, her production capacity increased from 5 tons a month to over 27 tons a month, leading to a drastic increase in the number of outgrowers she worked with.
Lily made business contacts during some missions she undertook with the WACOMP – Ghana Cassava Cluster, including a memorable trip to Egypt.
Now, she exports her cassava-based products and milk beverages to other African countries. Supermarkets in the USA, Germany, and the UK order directly from her in Ghana.
“ My production capacity increased from 5 tons a month to over 27 tons a month, leading to a drastic increase in suppliers to supermarkets across Ghana. I am currently exporting to other countries across Africa and many supermarkets in the USA, Germany and the UK order directly from me here in Ghana as a result of the trip to the Egypt fair and the improvement of quality packaging and productions under UNIDO’s guidance,
Lilipearl Asiedu- Yeenu using the commercial dehydrator donated by WACOMP at her factory
Awards and Recognition:
Lilipearl Asiedu - Yeenu was recognized as the best processor in her district in 2023, reinforcing the importance of doing things the right way and benefiting society.
“I believe the recognition was partly because of all the expertise and knowledge received from UNIDO and the European Union. UNIDO has played a crucial role in my success story as an entrepreneur. With all the technical assistance I have received from WACOMP – Ghana, the future of the Lili-Pat Group of Companies is very bright. In the next five years, I aim to export my products to all African countries and all European countries”, she further announced.
Last year and this year, she utilized the knowledge and skills gained through WACOMP - Ghana to successfully market her products in the USA, Germany, the UK, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Nigeria. In addition, she has been able to produce for other companies, and some buyers prefer to purchase her products for re-packaging and indirect exports to Qatar. Recently, the AGI has taken samples of her cassava products to El Salvador, and the GEPA has also taken some to their Kenya Market hub. Starting with only two workers, Lily now has 15 workers and produces over 60 products, including items made from cassava. She strongly believes that value addition is the way to go and constantly researches to achieve this. The WACOMP team’s reminders to always strive if she wants to penetrate other markets echo in her mind.
Lili-Pat products on display on Lilipearl's desk at her office
