ACCRA, Ghana, – Wherever you journey across the globe, you are destined to encounter not just a Jamaican, but a trailblazing Jamaican who infuses a slice of Jamaica’s vibrant surviving spirit into their corner of the world.
This phenomenon, once primarily associated with Jamaican travelers to Britain and the Americas, has electrified the farthest reaches of Europe, Russia, Japan, and China, and now resonates powerfully across Africa.
Ghana, the ancestral heartland of many Jamaicans, stands as a testimony to this incredible global influence. Here, in the land that witnessed the harrowing journey of survivors from the “Doors of No Return” at the various forts and castles along the coast of Ghana, the indomitable spirit of the descendants of these enslaved African Survivors in Jamaica has woven its way into the very fabric of Ghanaian culture, especially in its bustling capital, Accra.
In this dynamic city, the Jamaican essence comes alive at JamRock – a restaurant, lounge, and café that is not just an establishment, but a beacon of Jamaican culture, proudly standing as a symbol of resilience, unity and the enduring connection between these two countries.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of electrifying live reggae, as smoke fills the air from the branded jerk pans, creating a mist through the palm trees, that almost mimics the aura of a supernatural presence on a Friday night, in the heart of Accra, at JamRock Restaurant and Grill.
JamRock is and has been the proudest flag bearer of Jamaica in West Africa since its establishment in 2015 and has seen many influential personalities dine at their tables.
Jamaica’s Honorary Consul in Ghana, attorney-at-law Isaac Emmil Osei-Bonsu, refers to JamRock as an exquisite Jamaican oasis in Ghana, while Chief Trevor Beckford, a Jamaican who heads Digital Diaspora Development Services living in Ghana has hailed JamRock as an authentic piece of Jamaica in the motherland.
The JamRock team with vereran Jamaican entertainer Eric Donaldson. From left are JamRock Brand Manager Kevoy Burton, Co-owner Raphael Emanuel of Constitution Hill in St. Andrew, Jamaica, veteran entertainer Eric Donaldson and Madame Elizabeth Olympio Emauel, the CEO and conceptualiser of JamRock Restaurant and Grill.From reggae legends, Eric Donaldson, Eek A Mouse and Gramps Morgan, to the new school superstar, Koffee, JamRock is known to pull and cater to the hottest stars from the Caribbean.
The restaurant is co-founded by Elizabeth Olympio-Emanuel, a Ghanaian entrepreneur and her husband Jamaican telecom engineer, Raphael Emanuel, from Constitution Hill in Saint Andrew.
Elizabeth and Raphael visited Jamaica in 2012 and she fell in love with the cuisine, the culture and the entire Jamaican experience. They made it their mission to create a mini-Jamaica in Ghana and on December 15, 2015, JamRock was launched.
The restaurant first opened its doors on Jungle Avenue in East Legon then, amidst the COVID pandemic, moved to the current location at Oak Plaza Hotel, East Airport.
The menu is a sumptious journey through Jamaican dishes, along with a delicious twist of Afro-Fusion cuisine. Their Jamaican menu includes jerk chicken, jerk pork, curried chicken, curried goat, patties, and the famous oxtail n’ beans.
They also have vegan options with sauteed ackee and ‘Ital is Vital’ which is rice and peas with callaloo and plantains.
The signature reggae night pulls out record attendance on Friday nights all year round. Ghanaians show a deep affinity towards Jamaicans and are passionate about reggae music and JamRock provides them with the best of the best sounds in Ghana.
During the week, JamRock hosts live Sax, live band music and on weekends, a buffet coupled with live highlife music.
“It is simply amazing experiencing the similarities between Ghana and Jamaica through the food, music and culture. This has proven that we are indeed one people” Eliza, the bubbly owner said. JamRock has experienced steady growth despite a decline in the global economy.
“JamRock is the ultimate experience when you get to Ghana. Nothing compares!” Brand Manager of JamRock, Kevoy Burton exclaimed. Burton hails from Spanish Town, Jamaica, and moved to Ghana in 2020 and has been with JamRock ever since. “It has helped me to grow and assimilate in Ghana while teaching me all sides of the market – the Jamaicans coming in, the ones here and the locals – they are all different!”
The importance that JamRock has for the culture and bridging the gap between Ghana and Jamaica is nothing short of impressive.
Whether it is engaging the services of Harry Joe, a Jamaican who has been living in Ghana for over 25 years, to ‘talk di mic,’ or master craftsman and artist Iwin, a Bajan national who moved to Ghana over 20 years ago, to design and build the cabanas and cocktail bar, the restaurant fosters collaborations with Caribbean nationals living in Ghana and provides employment to 50 Ghanaians.
JamRock, founded on strong family values and Pan-Africanism, is more than just a dining destination; it’s a vibrant cultural crossroads where the rich flavors of the Caribbean and Ghana converge. A unique Jamaican-Ghanaian hideaway which represents a harmonious blend of two distinct culinary traditions.
It stands as a symbol of unity and shared heritage, a testament to the power of food in bridging continents and connecting hearts. At JamRock, every meal is a celebration of diversity, a journey of flavors, and a tribute to the unifying spirit of Jamaica in the heart of Ghana. The restaurant is open every day.
Follow JamRock on all social media platforms @jamrockgh.
(WiredJA)
