Ex-Banker Transforms Ghana’s Fruits into Healthy Popsicles
Gertrude Adzo Borklo, the visionary founder and CEO of Popsicles Ghana, is redefining Ghana’s frozen dessert industry by transforming locally grown fruits into healthy, colorful, and delicious treats. Her inspiring journey, featured on Ghana Grows Edwuma, the nationwide youth-in-agribusiness broadcast, began when a career setback became a springboard for innovation. After losing her job as an investment banker, Gertrude revisited her childhood memories of helping her mother make and sell ice cream. “I realized I could build on what she taught me, but with a healthier twist,” she said. What started in her kitchen in 2019 has grown into a thriving brand based in Tema Community 25, now six years strong. Unlike conventional ice creams, Popsicles Ghana products contain no milk or refined sugar. Instead, they are made with fresh fruits, honey, date syrup, and plant-based sweeteners, catering to health-conscious consumers, people with diabetes, and those who are lactose intolerant. “Fruits are naturally sweet, and that’s our foundation,” Ms. Borklo explained. Her creativity doesn’t end with popsicles. In 2024, she introduced Crunchy Cones, handmade, locally produced ice-cream cones in various shapes and sizes, including wafers, tacos, and waffle bowls. The company is preparing to distribute branded boxes of cones to retail outlets nationwide. Despite challenges such as limited financing and marketing support, Gertrude credits social media and word-of-mouth referrals for fueling brand growth. “The entrepreneurial landscape in Ghana is not always favorable to young entrepreneurs, but six years down the line, I’m proud of where we’ve gotten to,” she shared. Beyond building her brand, Ms. Borklo is passionate about mentoring others. Popsicles Ghana has trained dozens of young people, including students eager to enter the dessert industry, a sector she believes holds enormous untapped potential. “You might not be financially stable at the beginning, but if you stay consistent and reinvest what you make, your enterprise grows every day,” she advised. From sourcing coconuts in Agbozume to pineapples in Pokuase and mangoes in Somanya, Popsicles Ghana supports local farmers and demonstrates the value of agribusiness innovation. Ms. Borklo urges aspiring entrepreneurs to take bold steps: “Whatever your dream or goal, do a deep introspection, start small, and grow it. There’s so much opportunity in Ghana.” About Ghana Grows Edwuma Ghana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast under the Ghana Grows Programme, a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the Springboard Road Show Foundation. The platform spotlights young entrepreneurs and professionals driving change in agriculture, agribusiness, and technical and vocational education and training (ATVET). Through storytelling and inspiration, Ghana Grows Edwuma aims to spark mindset shifts and empower the next generation of Ghanaian changemakers. Marketing and Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation