GHANA JOLLOF Serving Ghanian Dishes Prepared With Love

By Dominique McIndoe

The Beginning

In 2020, the majority of the world was experiencing loss, uncertainty, and displacement during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many also found hope in new beginnings, gratitude for life, and caring for others. Afua and Kofi Mintah created the Ghana Jollof restaurant under these circumstances three years ago, and have managed to successfully build community spirit through the rich food and culture they share.

“Ghana Jollof began in the middle of the Covid pandemic,” Afua said of the Woodbridge-based restaurant in Potomac Mills Mall. They also have a location in Fredericksburg’s Spotsylvania Town Centre and plan to expand to the Mall at Prince George’s in Hyattsville, Maryland. They briefly operated as a food truck in 2021. “We started with one employee and currently have nine. We’re proud of our ability to have expanded quickly to other locations since our inception.”

The Cuisine

Jollof, which is one of their most popular dishes and is the restaurant’s namesake, is a colorful West African rice dish served with meat (like fish or chicken, among others), vegetables or salads, spices and seasonings, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. This dish, packed with loads of flavor, is a staple in celebratory social gatherings in Ghana, Nigeria, and all across West Africa.

“Food has always been an effective trigger of the sweet and wonderful memories of my childhood years in my mother’s kitchen,” Afua recalls. “The inspiration behind Ghana Jollof was, and remains to be, recreating this experience, and sharing the delightful tastes with our customers.” It was important for Afua and Kofi to reconstruct these same great experiences and memories by cooking up authentic tastes that people from every background imaginable could enjoy.

In addition to Jollof rice, the restaurant’s diverse menu includes plantains, curry, oxtails, jerk chicken, fufu with peanut butter soup, and waakye, a Ghanaian dish of cooked rice and beans. They not only serve West African dishes, but they also showcase common Caribbean cuisine, which gives Ghana Jollof’s menu representation of food from all over the African diaspora.

“The food was really great and seasoned perfectly,” said LaShawn, a Ghana Jollof customer from Woodbridge. “Had a little kick of spice and the price was just right! I will definitely be back to try more.”

Latisha Brown, another patron, shares similar sentiments.

“The taste of their jollof rice and chicken was simply delicious,” she said. “I ordered some more for my family and friends. I'm officially a Ghana Jollof customer for life.”

Since Afua and Kofi seek to fulfill the need for African cuisine in various locations in the DMV area, they’ve aimed to be their customers’ “first choice for delectable and robust flavors in a range of homemade food through great service and at a competitive cost,” Afua said.

Community

In addition to providing great food at their restaurant locations, Ghana Jollof also caters several events throughout the year and partners with organizations working on initiatives that enhance community cohesion.

“We support various local food and clothing drives,” says Afua. They have previously served teachers in the Prince William County Public Schools and Prince William soccer teams. March 6 also marks the day of Ghana’s independence, which will be a celebratory day for Ghana Jollof locations.

Starting an ambitious restaurant venture in the midst of a pandemic has reaped great rewards but has also presented challenges for Afua and Kofi Mintah.

“The pandemic did throw a wrench in the industry across the board, and the challenge has been to remain competitive in the midst of rising cost of goods,” says Afua. “Getting funding has been a challenge for the business.”

The pandemic also motivated Afua and Kofi to think strategically as a business and emphasize customer safety as one of their top priorities. As a result, Ghana Jollof encourages maskwearing and social distancing in all of their public spaces per official guidelines in an effort to limit any potential spread of COVID-19. They also encourage ordering meals online for no contact delivery if you feel like your health is at risk.

During 2023 and beyond, their goal is to continue to provide great food and take their flavors to new locations.

To order, hire for catering events, or to work with Ghana Jollof, visit www.myghanajollof.com, call 703-910-4365, or email them at info@ghanajollof.com.