Ernest Twum Barima is a passionate Ghanaian entrepreneur and founder of Adepa Charcoal and AdepaFie Market Limited, based in Kyebi Apapam. He’s transforming agricultural and coconut waste into sustainable charcoal briquettes, helping to protect the environment while solving energy challenges in Ghana.
His journey began in 2019 after completing his studies at Koforidua Technical University. Despite finishing school, Ernest struggled to find employment due to job scarcity and low wages. With skills in computer work and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, he started a small business from his own room—offering research and printing services for students.
Eventually, he furthered his education at Valley View University, where he studied education. While there, his frustration with the amount of waste in Accra pushed him to take action. He began experimenting with materials like coconut husks, plant waste, and old clothes. After discovering that coconut waste could be converted into charcoal, he started collecting the materials and processing them—despite criticism from his family and community.
Ernest’s innovation caught attention during a government entrepreneurship program supported by MasterCard Foundation. After demonstrating his charcoal prototype, he was selected by the Ghana Enterprise Agency and received business training. He eventually secured a GHS 80,000 loan to scale his business, purchase machinery from China, and establish a small production warehouse.
Ernest’s charcoal is cleaner, lasts longer, and is more affordable than traditional options. For example, one school that used to spend GHS 1,600 on gas every two weeks now spends just GHS 500–900 using his charcoal. His mission is to reduce smoke-related illnesses, protect the forests, and make cooking energy more accessible to all—especially women in rural areas.
His work has gained international attention, with people from the UK, Germany, India, Japan, and Romania contacting him for supplies and export. However, he faces challenges like high transportation costs, regulatory issues, and exploitation from middlemen who inflate retail prices.
Ernest started with 35 workers, paying each at least GHS 700 monthly. Due to financial constraints, he has scaled down, but his dream remains strong. He continues to advocate for government support to help scale sustainable energy solutions and reduce unemployment.
He encourages the youth to look beyond traditional office jobs and use innovation to solve community problems. “If you can solve a challenge, it can turn into money,” he says.
Follow and support Ernest:
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Business Name: AdepaFie Market Limited
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Brand: Adepa Charcoal
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Social Media: [@adepacharcoal]
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Product: Eco-friendly charcoal briquettes made from coconut and agricultural waste
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