“We Produce Food To Feed Millions”

Samir Kalmoni - CEO of Papaye The management of Papaye, one of Ghana's fast-growing fast food joints, has declared that it is working tirelessly to continue producing good food to feed millions across the country and beyond.

The uniqueness of Papaye's foods has resulted in the high demand for this most patronized fast food in the city.

Established in December 1991 at Osu on the Oxford Street, Papaye has become a household name in every corner of the country and has over thousands of customers including tourists, Ghanaians and other nationals who visit the restaurant daily for meals.

The Managing Director of Papaye, Mr. Devine Asiedu told BEATWAVES that the restaurant has been able to support Ghanaian workers with quality food, saying it has also given employment to about 450 Ghanaians.

“We produce good food to feed millions and also promote Ghana's tourism industry,” he stated.

Papaye serves foods like Fried Rice with Chicken, Potato Chips with Fried Chicken, Club S/W, Egg Burger, Charcoal-grilled Chicken, Fried/Roasted Chicken with Fried Potato, Coleslaw and Ketchup, Grilled Fish with Rice, Grilled Fish with Chips and¬ others.

Papaye Fast Foods was established by a Ghanaian businessman, Mr Samir¬ Kalmoni, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the restaurant.

Mr. Asiedu noted that Mr Kalmoni, known as Nana Kweku Asabri II, Nkosuohene of Konkonuru near Aburi in the Eastern region, commenced full-scale business with 12 workers at a small area of about 100 square-meters at Osu RE.

With determination to become the market leader, Papaye, which many see as one of the best fast food joints in the metropolis, continues to maintain the standard in preparing food using the company's recipes designed to give unique taste to satisfy both Ghanaians and foreigners.

Mr Asiedu stated further that Papaye rolled out two more branches at Tesano in Accra and Bastsonaa on the Tema Spintex Road, and hinted that since the restaurant was established, it has never closed its doors for a single day to the public.

“It has been operating everyday from 9am to 12 midnight.”

According to the Managing Director, although they have specialised in the present cuisine, Papaye is seriously considering the introduction of Ghanaian and African dishes.

He disclosed that the successful operation of the restaurant has enabled it establish a recreational village at Konkonuru near Aburi which serves as a tourist centre to promote tourism.

He stated that the recreational centre has a hotel made up of chalets, playground, restaurant, a zoo and an amusement centre.

Mr Asiedu noted that the company is not in a rush to open more branches, but would not hesitate to do so when necessary.

He expressed the hope that by next year, branches would be opened at Tema and Dansoman, and mentioned that his company was still concentrating on the hospitality industry and it has plans of establishing a branch in Kumasi.

He noted that apart from operating as a restaurant, Papaye has also assisted a number of needy institutions in the country and as well sponsored some educational institutions.

It has also instituted an awards scheme dubbed “Our Day Special” to reward the best three students in each class from some 25 selected  schools with books, trophies, scholarships to brilliant but needy students to the senior secondary school level among others.

Papaye continues to carry out development projects such as the construction of a clinic, drilling of boreholes for the Konkonuru community and the maintenance of the only feeder road which links the town and the Aburi-Accra highway, and the development of a layout plan of the town.

Mr. Asiedu said even though the company would like to expand to give more employment to the youth, it would ensure that the best was given to its numerous customers.