A BRADFORD author – who is also a local restaurant owner – is hoping to help people turn “adversity to advantage” following the release of his two new books.

Kofi Amoateng has his eggs in more than one basket – not only does he run African restaurant Yam Spice, but he has also written Outlasting Crisis Season and The Relevant Church, two books which explore ways to overcome challenges.

The books were partly inspired by his own journey.

Kofi founded Yam Spice – on Bowland Street in Manningham – with wife Rhoda in February 2020, just a month before the Covid lockdown threatened to dash their dreams when they had barely just begun.

Kofi, who is originally from Ghana and moved to Bradford to study psychology over ten years ago, said it is easy to feel disheartened at the moment, amid the cost of living crisis and uncertain futures.

But he wants to help others make the best of bad situations.

“Depression is increasing, and there’s more fear than ever,” said Kofi, 40.

“I’ve seen families crumbling – but we must use these problems to create something positive.

“Out of crisis, also comes opportunity.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kofi with the four books he has published in totalKofi with the four books he has published in total (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

When lockdown began, Yam Spice started serving free meals to people in need.

Three years later, this is still happening – with Kofi claiming that the restaurant has now served over 2,500 free meals to vulnerable people.

“Everyone was feeling broken when lockdown started, but we used it as an opportunity,” he said.

“The free meals initiative was born out of pain and challenges. But it helped to bring people together and inspired others.

“When there is a shift in society, you have to shift your mindset with it.

“If not for these crises, I wouldn’t have had the mindset to write these books – so that’s another positive, and I want to share that with the world.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kofi and his wife Rhoda, the founders of Yam SpiceKofi and his wife Rhoda, the founders of Yam Spice (Image: Kofi Amoateng)

Kofi wants Outlasting Crisis Season and The Relevant Church to be read in local schools and libraries.

“People in Bradford can identify with the places and businesses in these books. They can not only read the books, but can ‘touch’ them too,” he said.

“They are positive reads about how people in our city have been able to turn things around.

“Maybe you’re feeling down, maybe you’ve lost a family member or your job – but you can read these books and think ‘hey, if these people from Bradford can do it, so can I.’”

To buy Kofi Amoateng’s The Relevant Church click here, and here for Outlasting Crisis Season.