The ownership of Eats Avenue, a plush restaurant in East Legon, has been a hot topic in Ghana’s entertainment and business circles. For months, rumors have swirled regarding who truly owns the restaurant, with Ghanaian socialite Efia Odo at the center of the controversy. However, recent developments have shed light on the situation, and Efia Odo has finally spoken out, clearing the air on the true ownership of the popular eatery.
Efia Odo’s Initial Claims
When Eats Avenue was launched less than a year ago, Efia Odo, a well-known media personality, proudly took to social media and television to declare herself the sole owner. She even flaunted her new business venture on United Showbiz, claiming full ownership of the high-end restaurant. Her followers and fans celebrated her entrepreneurial journey, believing she was the brain and financial force behind the establishment.
However, those claims have since come under scrutiny, following widespread speculation and gossip about the true owner of Eats Avenue.
The Ownership Controversy
The first signs of trouble surfaced when Efia Odo’s rival, Sista Afia, raised suspicions about the restaurant’s ownership. Many began questioning whether Efia Odo was indeed the sole owner, as she had previously stated. It wasn’t long before rumors started circulating, pointing to Kobby Sarpong, a Kumasi-based businessman and owner of Ridge Condos, as the real force behind the establishment.
Reports suggest that tensions between Efia Odo and Mr. Sarpong escalated, leading to changes in the management structure of Eats Avenue. It is believed that Mr. Sarpong assumed control of the business, including its social media platforms, leaving Efia Odo out of the day-to-day operations. This development added fuel to the rumors that Efia Odo had been ousted from her managerial position.
Efia Odo Sets the Record Straight
In response to the growing speculation, Efia Odo took to social media to clear the air once and for all. She admitted that while she previously claimed full ownership, she actually owns a 40% stake in Eats Avenue. To substantiate her claims, she posted legal documents, including details from the Ghana Register of Companies, confirming her partial ownership.
In her post, she stated:
“My 40% ownership of Eats Avenue Restaurant is very factual and backed by law. I don’t necessarily need to be at the helm of affairs as a proud legal owner. If in doubt, kindly refer to Reg. No. CS033890324 & TIN: C0063837021 on the Ghana Register of Companies records. Thank you.”
By providing these documents, Efia Odo hopes to put the rumors to rest and emphasize that she remains a significant stakeholder in the business, despite her reduced involvement in its operations.
What Led to the Dispute?
Although Efia Odo still holds a 40% stake, sources indicate that a disagreement between her and Kobby Sarpong led to the current power shift. Mr. Sarpong, as the majority owner, has taken over key responsibilities, including social media marketing and business strategy. He has also created new social media accounts for the restaurant, instructing followers to disengage from the old pages managed by Efia Odo.
The exact nature of their dispute remains unclear, but many believe it centers around differing visions for the restaurant’s direction and branding. As things stand, it appears that Mr. Sarpong is now running the show at Eats Avenue, while Efia Odo takes a step back from its daily operations.
Conclusion: A Legal Stake, But Not in Control
Efia Odo’s recent revelations confirm that she still holds a significant legal stake in Eats Avenue, even though she is no longer involved in its management. Her clarification is a reminder that ownership and control are two different aspects of business, and while she owns 40% of the restaurant, the majority owner, Kobby Sarpong, now seems to be in charge.
The situation continues to generate buzz in Ghana’s entertainment scene, with fans closely watching for further developments in this high-profile business dispute.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Eats Avenue may have multiple stakeholders, but for now, Efia Odo’s role in the restaurant has drastically shifted from being the face of the business to a more silent partner. Whether this will change in the future remains to be seen, but for now, the restaurant’s future appears to be in the hands of Kobby Sarpong.