Identifying a problem and offering solutions to the problem is one great attribute of an entrepreneur. Dr. Edward Calys-Tagoe embodies this great attribute.
Embedded with the skill set of research, data analysis, project management, remote sensing among others, Dr. Calys-Tagoe is a research scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the owner of a livestock farm and meat processing factory. His love for his work led him to pursue research studies both home and abroad most notably in Senegal and the University of Edinburgh as a visiting research fellow.
His Story
His journey began after he identified the problem of how some individuals find difficulty in chewing meat, because of the texture. After completing his Bachelors degree in 1998 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, he sold his land and other property in 1999 to pursue knowledge and skills in meat processing. On completion, he lacked the capital needed to acquire the machinery to begin processing meat. He thus went into partnership with a meat processing company to utilize their machine for his meat processing.
However, it got to a time when the contract had to be terminated with the company citing a wearing-out of their machines as a result of the constant meat processing.
Despite the termination of the contract, Edward Calys-Tagoe proved himself innovative by processing meat manually with rudimentary equipment which he made. Soon, he was able to purchase the needed machinery to process his meat as the business began to experience growth.
Calys-Tagoe Farms
Calys-Tagoe Farms was established in 2001. The farm is in the business of pig rearing and meat processing. Edward uses his expertise in research as a tool for creating new recipes for meat products. He currently processes over twelve meat products which include: German frank fritters, turkey wings, ham, bacon, pepperoni, beef sausage among others. These are all end results of careful research, tried and tested recipes. Dr. Edward Calys-Tagoe has made a success of his farm and currently sells products to both local and international markets.
In an interview with Ghana Talks Business, he discloses that the success of Calys-Tagoe Farms is driven greatly by passion.
“The success story over here is the passion I have for the work. It is the passion that has driven me to this level. If I don’t produce sausage a day, I’ll get sick and if I am even sick, it is the passion that still drives me,” he narrated.
Other Ventures
Calys-Tagoe Farms does not only produce meat products but also offers training programs for individuals who wish to enter into the meat processing business. With a human side to the business, Dr. Calys-Tagoe offers his training programs for free, given the expensive nature of the machinery that one has to acquire before commencing such a business.
He reiterated that despite the free training program, one has to prove “beyond reasonable doubt that once the training program is complete, one will acquire the needed machinery to start their own business.”
