Akua Obenewaa Donkor –The Chocolate Lady
It is usually said that life’s best lessons are sometimes learnt outside the classroom. Having bought a magazine to read, she came across exciting information on chocolatiers, various types of chocolates and how they are made.
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Thrilled by this information, she decided to be a bit adventurous and, therefore, went online to find out how best she can become a chocolatier herself. Unfortunately, most of the courses online were very expensive but she never gave up.
Finally, her dream came true when the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) decided to train interested persons as chocolatiers.
She quickly grabbed the opportunity and barely four years after, Miss Akua Obenewaa Donkor, popularly known as the Chocolate Lady, is now a young entrepreneur.
Ms Donkor, 28, has also imparted her knowledge in chocolate making to over 35 people.
Her exotic handmade chocolates (Decokraft) are currently trending on social media, online shops, Facebook and at events like weddings, engagements, birthday parties and the corporate world.
Who is a Chocolatier?
A chocolatier is a person or company that makes confectionery from chocolate.
Chocolatiers are distinct from chocolate makers who create chocolate from cocoa beans and other ingredients. In this sense, CPC can be described as a chocolate maker.
Chocolate expedition
In Ms Donkor’s opinion, instead of presenting your loved one with store-bought chocolates for a special occasion, you can make him or her some original treats.
“Chocolate is actually quite simple to make at home and you can customise them to create unique flavour combinations,” she says.
The joy of making delicious chocolate candies makes her explore new areas all the time.
As a graduate of Communication Design (Graphic Design) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), creating unique designs comes effortlessly to her.
“As a professional designer, branding, finishing and packaging is key to me. I try to use 3D stuff by carving shoes, bags, cartoon characters for children, candies bearing celebrants’ pictures, among others,” she mentioned.
Indeed, during Christmas last year, this reporter chanced on her at the Marina Mall at Airport in Accra where she had displayed a 75-inch Christmas tree filled with her handmade chocolates.
Her intention was to use it to raise funds and also appeal for reading books to distribute to children in cocoa-growing areas.
“Cocoa farmers are those who break their backs to grow cocoa for us to get their byproduct so I felt it was essential for me and my team to show love to their children, who mostly live in the deprived communities.”
Touching on some of the ingredients she uses for her chocolate candies, Ms Donkor explained that every customer differs, therefore, their orders are dependent on their preferences.
“For instance some love fruits like strawberries, almonds, peanuts mixed with flavours like caramel, coffee, creams, biscuits, among others, for that fresh and crunchy feeling.”
Asked if her products are certified, Ms Donkor, whose chocolate room is at Ashongman, a suburb of Accra, said the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) had inspected and certified her site.
As a result, “there is no way I will produce contaminated products for consumers. I make sure I produce fresh chocolate candies only on orders.
“For all foods, safety is one of most important factors, so foods packaging is as important as the products,” she explained.
Challenges of a chocolatier
According to her, chocolates are very delicate; therefore production is made in a fully air-conditioned room to prevent the candies from melting as a result of heat.
“Usually, if the power is not stable or the power goes off, the machines don’t work and this affects production. Besides, in the process of melting the chocolate to pour in candy moulds, the whole thing can get burnt when the heating temperature is high. What can you do with a burnt chocolate,” she queried.
Obenewaa’s passion
Besides her love for designing and moulding exotic cakes, she also bakes cakes; a career she learnt just after graduating from the KNUST.
Explaining her reason for going to Cake Tekniks International to learn how to bake, Ms Donkor said while in school, she decided to be doing event decorations, take orders for cakes and other gift items and sell to her friends on their birthdays or occasions like Valentine celebrations.
After school, she decided to learn how to bake and design cakes which meet her clients’ and friends’ satisfaction.
Background
Born to Mr Lawerence Donkor and Madam Sethlina Boakye-Yiadom, the Chocolate Lady comes from Adjamesu-Bekwai in the Amansie East District in the Ashanti Region.
She attended the KNUST Primary/JSS and had her secondary education at St Monica’s Secondary School in Mampong Ashanti.
Ms Donkor is the first of three girls and worships at the Ebenezer Baptist Church at the Ashongman Estates.
When she is not designing, decorating or baking, she loves to hang out with her friends at a movie theatre or go to the beach to unwind.
“Just give me fufu with aponkye nkrakra (goat light soup) and I would be thankful to you the whole day,” she laughed heartily.