Aug 13 2024 23 mins
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Ever wondered what it takes to revolutionize the hospitality industry in Ghana? Join us as we chat with Kofi Maafo, the inspiring co-founder of Bloom Bar in Accra. From starting his entrepreneurial journey at just 19, Kofi has navigated through various industries, including agriculture, mining, food supply, and sports. He opens up about the unique challenges he faced, like overcoming societal perceptions and securing funding, and the strategies he and his partner employed to redefine bar ownership in Ghana. Kofi's dedication to excellence and thorough research is a testament to his success, and he shares how infusing West African culture into Bloom Bar's essence has been pivotal for its identity both locally and abroad.
About My Guest:
Since its founding in 2017, Bloom Bar has been the preeminent nightlife destination in Ghana’s capital, Accra, renowned across the continent for its signature, down-to-earth ambience, carefully curated cocktails, expert mixologists and inimitable vibes. Bloom Bar was envisioned by lifelong friends and business partners Keith Edem Aweke and Kofi Adjei Maafo as a way to bring their love of elevated hospitality to their home, and create a must-visit open-air bar experience for Ghanaians and tourists alike. By creating career opportunities in hospitality and providing unpretentious five-star service for everyone, Bloom Bar has become a model for new venues, elevating the nightlife and hospitality industries across West Africa, and beyond.
Bloom Bar founders Kofi Adjei Maafo and Keith Edem Aweke have decades of collective experience in the experiential hospitality space. Kofi gained his Executive MBA from University of Ghana in August 2014, and is currently slated to enroll in Cornell University in 2022, to receive his Executive Masters in Hospitality Management. A lifelong entrepreneur, he has prioritized contributing to the business development of Ghana and Africa, working across industries including agriculture, fitness, and of course, hospitality since 2011.
Keith Edem Aweke gained his marketing and hospitality experience in New York, graduating from NY Bartending School in 2015, and the Institute of Culinary Education with a diploma in Culinary Management in August 2017. He’s worked across hospitality and bartending industries in NY and Ghana since 2015, and is an expert mixologist. He will also enroll in Cornell in 2022 to gain his Executive Masters in Hospitality Management. In 2019 Keith and Kofi founded Blue Chip Hospitality Group, a holding company managing subsidiary groups in Ghana and beyond.
Now, a cultural phenomenon with a loyal audience and nearly 40K followers across digital platforms, Bloom Bar has inspired the next generation of Ghanaian entrepreneurs to pursue sectors that may seem like a risk. “This industry has always existed. But the issue was, how people perceived it. Now the next generation of bars opening has an understanding that you don’t just come into this to make drinks - you need to make an impact, on the
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