On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, edition of his programme on Neat FM, renowned broadcaster Adakabre Frimpong Manso aired the first three-and-a-half minutes of an audio recording featuring the late CEO of Labianca Company Limited, Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh.
In this candid recording, the late businesswoman detailed her remarkable journey from a modest start as a pure water seller to becoming a multimillionaire frozen foods importer.
Eunice Asomah-Hinneh began her story by recalling her early days at Tema Harbour in 1978, where she sold iced water to earn a living.
“I went to the harbour in 1978 as an iced water seller. In our time, there was nothing like ‘Slay Queen,’ so you had to work hard. I am the type that likes living; I was born with it, so I tried to work in order to cater to my lifestyle,” she narrated.
Describing her formative years, she mentioned her small stature earned her the nickname “Small Girl” from traders traveling from various parts of Ghana, including Kumasi, Dunkwa, and Nkawkaw.
At that time, only the State Fisheries Company and Mankoadze Fisheries Limited were importing frozen foods into the country. This environment provided Eunice with valuable insights into the industry.
Eunice shared how her dedication and hard work paid off, eventually allowing her to travel abroad, where she built essential business contacts.
“I didn’t stay long; I returned to continue working at the harbour. I didn’t come to hurt anyone. I traveled with the objective of searching for suppliers, so when I returned, I knew what I was coming to do — I met fish suppliers and chicken suppliers,” she explained.
However, her path to success was not without obstacles. She faced media attacks and other challenges that tested her resolve.
“I started experiencing troubles a little after I began working. The trials I went through were that I would get up one day, and I had been handed over to a newspaper to be dealt with. I went through tribulation for 13 years,” she revealed.
Despite these adversities, Eunice’s determination never wavered. She questioned whether she should continue, but the booming success of her business, driven by the quality of her products, kept her going. Her story serves as an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs.
Adakabre Frimpong Manso recounted the circumstances surrounding the recording. In August 2023, Eunice contacted him, requesting a discreet meeting at her residence.
Complying with her request to arrive without his car, Adakabre met Eunice in her bedroom, where she shared her story for over an hour. Before ending the session, Eunice instructed Adakabre not to broadcast the recording until after her passing.
Following Eunice Asomah-Hinneh’s death on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, Adakabre expressed his uncertainty about what to do with the audio.
The late CEO, who led Labianca Company Limited to become a major frozen food importer in West Africa, was also a Western Regional representative on the Council of State. Reports indicate she succumbed to a brief illness shortly after returning to Ghana from overseas medical treatment.
Adakabre’s decision to release the audio posthumously honors Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh’s legacy, celebrating her remarkable achievements and inspiring future generations with her story of resilience and success.