If you’ve ever been to Ghana, you know about shitto—the rich, spicy, and flavorful pepper sauce that pairs perfectly with everything from rice and yam to grilled fish and fried plantain. Shitto is so popular that visitors often buy bottles to take home as a delicious souvenir.

But what happens when Ghanaians and other Africans living abroad crave that authentic taste of home? Enter Mansa Rall, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Mansa’s Original Pepper Sauces, a brand supplying Afro Shops across Germany with authentic Ghanaian pepper sauces.

From Ghana to Germany: A Love Story Turned Business Venture

Mansa’s journey to Germany started with love. A young German man visiting Ghana fell for her, and after returning home, he went back to Ghana to ask for her hand in marriage. They tied the knot, and she moved with him to a small village in Germany.

At first, she was the only Black person in town and didn’t speak German. No-one else around spoke English, only her husband. But instead of feeling isolated, she was warmly welcomed by her husband’s family and the entire village. Even after their eventual divorce, she remains close to her ex-in-laws, cherishing the kindness and support they showed her, and still show her.

After 24 years in Germany and now fluent in German, Mansa has established a successful career in the hospitality industry. She works at Gate Gourmet, a leading catering company that provides meals and beverages for all airlines flying in and out of Hannover—including private jets. However, her true passion lies in cooking, which inspired her to launch a thriving food business on the side.

From Homemade Shitto to a Thriving Business

One day, while searching for shitto in an Afro Shop in Hannover, Mansa was surprised to find that the store didn’t carry any. The owner mentioned that customers frequently asked for it, but there were no suppliers.

That’s when inspiration struck. She still had dried fish and shrimp from her last trip to Ghana—so why not make her own? She asked the shop owner if he’d sell her homemade shitto, and he agreed. She prepared 10 small jars, delivered them to the store, and within a day, they were sold out! He asked for more.

With demand growing, she quickly expanded her operations. She partnered with a certified production site to ensure that she met Germany’s strict health regulations, found a supplier for jars and labels, and started producing more varieties of pepper sauces. Soon, her products weren’t just in one store—they were in Afro Shops across Germany.

Authentic Ghanaian Sauces with a Growing Fanbase

Today, Mansa Rall produces and supplies a wide range of authentic Ghanaian pepper sauces, including:

• Shitto Pepper Sauce (the classic favorite)
• Yellow Pepper Sauce
• Green Pepper Sauce
• Hot Afrika Sauce
• Original Pepper Sauce
• Jollof Rice Sauce

While her primary customers are Ghanaians, Nigerians, and other Africans in Germany, Germans are also falling in love with her flavors. Initially, years ago, many Germans were hesitant to try new spices and sauces, but over time, they’ve become more adventurous—and they love her products!

Taste of Ghana: Bringing Ghanaian Cuisine to Germany

Word about her sauces spread through what she jokingly calls “mouth propaganda”—or as we more commonly know it, “word of mouth.” It started with her ex-in-laws and their friends, and soon, more people wanted to experience Ghanaian flavors.

This led to another brilliant idea: Taste of Ghana events. Twice a year, Mansa hosts food-tasting events, where guests can enjoy authentic Ghanaian dishes. These events not only introduce people to her sauces but also drive even more sales.

She has even been asked to cater events, including a 1,000-year city anniversary celebration in Goslar, where she served a variety of delicious Ghanaian dishes.

Customer Favorites: What People Can’t Get Enough Of

When it comes to her most popular dishes, Red-Red—a rich, spicy bean stew with fried plantains—is a crowd favorite. In fact, some guests love it so much that they bring their own containers to take extra home! Fried plantain is also a hit.

A One-Woman Powerhouse Committed to Quality

Despite her success, Mansa remains deeply involved in every step of production. She travels to Ghana twice a year to personally handpick the best fish, shrimp, and spices from local markets. She even dries and grinds the fish herself to ensure top quality.

From ingredient sourcing to cooking, processing, packaging, and labeling, she does it all—earning her the nickname “the one-woman dynamo.”

For Mansa, this business is more than just selling sauces—it’s about sharing a piece of Ghana with the world. Her passion, dedication, and high standards have made her brand a trusted name in Germany’s Afro food market. And that’s why her customers keep coming back for more.

And that’s not all. Balancing a thriving hospitality career and a successful food business, Mansa Rall also serves as co-chair of the International Women’s Association in Hannover (IWAH), a vibrant community of English-speaking expat women.

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If you are in Germany, and would like to purchase Mansa’s Original Pepper Sauces, or want to learn more about the business: Email Mansa at: mansa45@yahoo.com