I am Daniel Mensah, a native of Brong/Ahafo region of Ghana. I did General Science at the Sunyani Senior High School and a Biochemistry graduate from the KNUST, Ghana. I attended seminar, did researches and did a lot of experiments to become skillful in the area of biotechnology. Through series of experiments and research, I could set up the business. I started my business in 2012 with food biotechnology then to cosmetics and now I am into soaps and detergents. My people have the matrilineal system of inheritance and are humble and very creative. Most children in my land would always want to become Doctors. My hobby is research. I spend most of my time on the internet doing scientific researches.

My business is a registered sole proprietorship type of business. It has been registered as a biotechnology and manufacturing industry with the Registrar General's Department of Ghana as MAGSLEVIN ENTERPRISE. The company manufactures cosmetic, soaps, detergents and food products. Cosmetic products include Vaseline, body lotion and hair pommade. Soap and detergents include shower gel, aloe vera soaps, liquid hand washing soap, bar soap. Food products include fresh yoghurt, sorrel drink, fruit drink and ice cream. Other products include liquid air freshener and hand sanitizer. The products are quality and affordable and are manufactured under hygienic conditions. The foods are highly nutritious and healthy. The products are manufactured to promote the healthy living of the people in the community. I chose this type of business because I realised there is no biotechnology industry in my town. Also the demand for biotechnology products in the town is very high but those brought from outside the town come with very high prices. Production of Cosmetic products costs around GHS 1500, Chemotherapy products cost around GHS1,200 and Food cost GHS 900. The total revenue is GHS 10,000 as of now. The profit is reinvested into the business to ensure its growth and also for the house. This time, we also want to use part of the profit to help continue with the training programme we have started. I am seeking to expand from small scale to a large the business in future.

I thank you fr my first and second loans. My company has been able to acquire most of the items and equipment it needed to continue production with the loan you provided. To be specific, this is a list of few of the items; Electric stove, chemicals for producing the various products, cupboard, funnel, barrels, pens, curtains, printer, PC, Bowls, Clocks, tables and many more. Thank you once again.

Right now, the company has decided to embark on an outreach program. Looking at how we have become successful over these few months, we want to share some of our ideas with the ordinary Ghanaians so that they may also set up their own companies to support them and their families. We therefore have decided to hold training programs/seminars for the people in the community on the production of cosmetic products and also educate them on the benefits and side effects of most of the chemicals used in the production of these items. During the training, we shall teach them the correct measurement, safety precautions, procedures in producing these items and steps taken to register a business.

Teaching these people how to produce some simple cosmetic products like Vaseline and liquid detergent will help the start something to help them generate some funds to aid them in achieving their aims and objectives. Others would also use their income to support their wards’ education to help eradicate the high level of school dropout. These training would take place at churches, parks, schools and other institutions where we would be permitted.

Also, distribution of our products has become a major problem for the company. As I write to you, the company distributes products on foot. The items are placed in school bags and polyethylene and carried for distribution. Some customers do complain about the packaging but I have assured them that everything would change very soon. This is a startup company so they should take heart.

Due to this, we would like to plead with Zidisha and it kind lenders to come to our aid by providing us with a loan that can help us buy a motor bike for faster distribution. It is our objective to get our products to places as far as possible and capture a larger soap market shares in Berekum (our location) and the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. We want to produce the best and quality products in our category.

Moreover, in terms of advertisement, we would like to make a banner for the company, stickers, T-shirt, and posters for the company and also go on the media like television and radio for further advertisement.

Thank you.