This is the unfolding story of how a hotel management company in Ghana, “Emerald Hospitality Group”, solely owned by two ambitious young individuals, who seized the opportunities of their time to make a significant mark in the hotel industry.
Disclaimer: Please note that this story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. For more details, please visit our Disclaimer Page.
The story is a work of fiction inspired by real events and locations. While the names of some hotels are based on actual establishments, all characters and other hotels mentioned are purely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The Beginning
It was the mid-seventies, and Ghana was in the midst of turmoil. The political instability and economic hardships had cast a shadow over the future of its youth. Progress seemed like a distant dream for Yawa-Attah, who faced the disappointment of not gaining admission to pursue her dream career due to weak examination results, despite attempting the final exams twice. Her siblings, who were lawyers, economists, and a pharmacist, had all found their paths. Yawa-Attah, however, found herself at a crossroads, uncertain about which direction to take.
She loved cooking, sewing, and gardening. However, her limited perspective on career options in these areas of interest made it difficult for her to envision building a professional career in any of them.
“If I am to pursue a career in one of these fields, it would have to be at a top-notch institution,” she thought aloud to herself, “where I could make a significant impact in the fashion, catering, or horticultural world in Ghana, whichever one I choose.” Unfortunately, she couldn’t identify any such institutions in the country. Yawa-Attah found herself in a dilemma.
Felicia, a classmate, often spoke about her elder sister, who was a hotel manageress in the UK. Yawa-Attah was captivated by the idea of running an accommodation facility with food and beverage service hubs all under one roof. As she delved deeper to learn more about the hotel industry, she realized her dream was gravitating towards this exciting field.
Historically, Ghana, in its bid to promote tourism and provide quality accommodation, embarked on an ambitious plan to develop the country’s infrastructure, including the hospitality sector, after gaining independence. This initiative led to the establishment of the State Hotels Corporation in 1961, resulting in the construction of seven state-owned hotels and eight catering guesthouses in the regional capitals across the country.
In the late 70s and early 80s, Ghana was experiencing significant political and economic turmoil which negatively impacted the tourism industry and the overall development of the hospitality industry. Despite these challenges, the State Hotels Corporation was still hanging on, even as the sector faced significant hurdles during this turbulent period.
An unexpected opportunity emerged for Yawa-Attah as Mr. Kofi Mensah, a distant cousin, invited her to discuss her future. He was the Board Chairman of the State Hotels Corporation. Despite the hotels’ struggles, Mr. Mensah saw an opportunity to help his niece. He offered Yawa-Attah a job at the hotel, but not without her going through an intensive training program in which she had to prove herself. Excited and apprehensive, Yawa-Atta embraced this as a stepping stone in those uncertain times.
The date was Wednesday, 1st November 1978. Yawa-Attah felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as she stepped into the grand lobby of the Continental Hotel for the first time.
The lobby was a bustling hub of activity, with guests in clusters chatting away while some were checking in and out. “There must be some special activity or conference coming up,” Yawa-Attah whispered to herself.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee and polished wood filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of tropical flowers from the hotel’s lush gardens. The grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling cast a warm, inviting glow, illuminating the polished wooden floors and plush furnishings.
Behind the reception desk, the all-male staff moved with practiced efficiency, their genuine and welcoming smiles creating a warm atmosphere. As she observed them, Yawa-Attah imagined herself in their place and couldn’t help but smile too.
Yawa-Attah, with her shy and reserved nature, was somewhat naive about the challenges she might be facing at the front desk of a busy hotel. Although she envisioned her role as an exciting opportunity, she didn’t fully grasp the daunting and overwhelming experience awaiting her; the constant interaction with strangers, handling complaints, and managing high-stress situations could feel like a nightmare for someone who is naturally introverted.
Her initial enthusiasm might have been more about the idea of the job rather than the reality of the day-to-day interactions and challenges she would face. Yawa-Attah’s lack of experience and sheltered upbringing left her unprepared for the fast-paced and demanding nature of the job.
Now face-to-face with the Front Office Manager, a calm, kind-looking gentleman in his mid-40s, Mr. Aanani, Yawa-Attah felt a wave of relief. With about ten years of experience and exposure to almost all the State hotels, Mr. Aanani’s soft-spoken demeanor and gentle smile welcomed her warmly, instantly putting her at ease. The staff on duty welcomed her warmly, their smiles masking an uncertainty that lingered in the air, as if questioning how this small, quiet girl could possibly be of any help to them.
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for the next installment.
