If you mentioned “Mrs Cudjoe,” people immediately responded: “Oh, Master Cudjoe’s wife—the lady at Beach Road, the baker.” Everybody knew her. Cooking and baking were at the heart of her family life. Alberta inherited her grandmother’s culinary gifts; growing up, her grandmother’s cakes were legendary across Cape Coast and beyond. What started with people tasting Alberta’s homemade cakes at home soon grew into a flourishing pastry business. With encouragement from her sister Esther, who had trained in catering, Alberta expanded her craft, supplying bread and cakes to outlets such as UTC, Kingsway, and Mr Azei’s restaurant near Takoradi’s big roundabout, where travellers regularly stopped for her baked goods on their way into the Western Region, Axim, and beyond. Her entrepreneurial drive went beyond baking. She played a leading role in forming the Bakers Association in Takoradi alongside Miss Ogoe, Janet Mensah, Mr Amoako and Mr Dadzie, owner of Russian Bread. Through this association, she advocated for bakers and managed the distribution of flour from Takoradi Flour Mills, ensuring her colleagues had access to supplies. Her entrepreneurial spirit extended further. She ran a food distribution kiosk and grocery store, selling foodstuffs and essentials like canned mackerel and sardines. She distributed palm oil in bulk to market women and schools, later branching into selling cooking utensils through a Chinese company while receiving goods from GNTC for resale. She spotted opportunities, diversified her ventures, and stayed ahead of the curve. Her determination was tested during the coup years of the PNDC era. Rumours spread that she had a large stock of flour, and soldiers came to search the house. One officer, a GSTS old boy who knew her, discreetly signalled for her to remain calm. They searched the house, but she held her composure, setting aside her usual toughness to protect her family. Around the same period, the Citizens Vetting Committee—led locally by Mr Ampofu, whose children were friends with the Cudjoe family—scrutinised her and many others who were considered “well-to-do” and she was cleared. Through it all, she never stopped. Her resilience, sharp business instincts, and ability to adapt kept her ventures alive. Mrs Cudjoe was more than the headmaster’s wife; she was a resourceful businesswoman, a pioneer, and a quiet force in Takoradi’s entrepreneurial landscape. At home, she ensured all her children— boys and girls alike—learnt their way around the kitchen. For her, cooking and baking were never just about food; they were about tradition, heritage, and love passed down from one generation to the next. Through it all, Affail was her partner— steady, loving, and deeply supportive. Together, they raised not just a family, but a household rich in faith, nourishment, and a love that leaves footprints across generations. The Baker A l b e r t a 22 The Birthday Journal
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