Profile
Add more value to yourselves – Mrs Sackey-Cadbury admonishes women
This week’s profile is focused on a very determined and humble woman whose struggle in her early years, could not kill her vision of becoming a prominent figure in society whose contribution to human resource development would stand the test of time.
This woman defied all odds and jumped over every hurdle put in her way to carve a niche in the catering and hospitality industry in Ghana.
Mrs Princess Angela Sackey-Cadbury, the proprietress of Citadel Events, a school of hospitality at North Kaneshie in Accra, has nurtured the talent of the youth by giving them the requisite training to become productive citizens in their fields of endeavour.
Her outstanding achievement in the catering and hospitality industry has attracted people from all spheres of life to learn and acquire peculiar skills for themselves in her school.
Background
Mrs Sackey-Cadbury who is Ga from James Town, Accra, had her primary school education at the St. Anthony’s Preparatory School at Laterbiokorshie and Junior Secondary School education at Nungua ACC ‘4’, all in Accra where she wrote the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
She proceeded to Ahmadiyya Secondary School (Potsin), in the Central Region where she offered Home Economics due to her futuristic interest in pursuing catering as a business venture.
The focus-minded woman after secondary school enrolled at Cake Tekniks Catering Institute to study and practise sugar craft and later taught in the institute for two years.
Poised to achieve her childhood dream, Mrs Sackey-Cadbury enrolled at the Accra Polytechnic, now Accra Technical University in 1998 and studied Hospitality.
She completed in 2001 and bagged a Diploma in Hospitality from the Accra Technical University.
Ordeal
Her dream in setting up a hospitality school was becoming difficult but with determination she was able to make it.
She said in the catering environment, it was difficult when students did not have their own equipment for the designated practical work to test their depth of knowledge in the courses taught.
“I sometimes have to support my students in cash or kind for them to fulfill their course work since the materials needed in catering are costly”, she said.
She is of the view that “extending a helping hand to the needy in skills acquisition is worth satisfying to the soul”.
Uniqueness
Her outstanding persona in the hospitality and catering industry is the drive to make a difference among the number of hospitality service providers in the country.
Working under strict hygienic conditions, Mrs Sackey-Cadbury ensures that her clients are properly served to enable them enjoy all the local and continental dishes served on all occasions.
The Hospitality History
Making a transformation in her hospitality endeavour into a broader spectrum, she expanded her small scale venture to a more resourced one to attract clients and students.
She told The Spectator that her services were earlier provided at Nungua-Brigade, Accra, where she started the school with an inspiring number of people.
“Due to the nutritious nature of my cakes and meals, people advised me to make it a school in order to harness talents in the catering industry, so I adhered to their advice and started the school”, she added.
Previously, the school was called Peesac Catering and Floral School and offered courses in Catering, Sugar Craft and Events.
From there, she relocated to her current venue at North Kaneshie where she changed the school’s name to Citadel Events based on the suggestions from her husband.
Family
Mrs Sackey-Cadbury is married to Pastor Nestor Danso Cadbury and are made up of a family of six who fellowship at the New Covenant Assemblies of God, Nyamekye-Accra.
Ecstasy
Her joy in the hospitality and catering industry is matchless and no one can stop her from doing what she loves best.
“This profession is a vocation where no one can take it from me and I have combined other businesses to it but the skill of catering is an undying one which is always part and parcel of me”, she reiterated.
Another joy she expressed was the provision of training for the hopeless to also have vocational skills as a means of empowering them.
Advice
Mrs Princess Sackey-Cadbury advised all to have vocational skills and asked women to ensure that they have something new in addition to their profession to enhance their skills.
“Desire to make an impact in society and make sure you learn a course in either catering or hospitality to make your home a fun-packed haven,” she told women.
Others
The banku and okro stew with crab fan loves cooking, listening to gospel music and reading books.
Mrs Sackey-Cadbury expressed her profound appreciation to some key role players in her life including her husband Pastor Danso Cadbury, Rev. and Mrs Blessing Mensah, Madam Florence Okine and all those who have made her dream come true.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Every morning begins the same way for Edwina Anokye-Bempah, with quiet devotion. It is her grounding ritual, a moment of reflection and gratitude before she steps into the dynamic, often unpredictable world of real estate brokerage.
By the time she arrives at the office, she has already set the tone for her day. She reviews the previous day’s tasks, checks what was accomplished and what still needs attention, and then drafts a new to-do list. For her, success is rooted in deliberate planning, discipline, and the commitment to follow through.
Today, Edwina stands out as one of Ghana’s promising real estate brokers, but she is also clear about the distinctions within her field. While many people casually use the term ‘realtor,’ she is quick to explain that only professionals registered with the National Association of Realtors can claim that title.
“Since I am not registered with the association, I am a real estate broker,” she says. It is a role she embraces wholeheartedly, facilitating transactions, connecting buyers and sellers, and ensuring clarity and integrity at every step.
Her journey into the industry took shape at MeQasa, an online platform dedicated solely to real estate. The platform exposed her to developers, agents, and the complexities of property transactions. She worked closely with developers and observed one recurring problem: clients often complained about agents who failed to respond, follow up, or provide accurate information.
With her background in sales and marketing, Edwina felt naturally drawn to the field. It was an industry where she believed she could make a meaningful, positive impact. Real estate, she came to learn, is far more than brick and mortar. It is about helping people secure one of the most important investments of their lives. This understanding shapes every decision she makes.
One of the most challenging tasks in her work is qualifying clients.
“A serious buyer must be willing, ready and able,” she explains. When one of these three qualities is missing, the transaction is likely to stall or collapse entirely.
On the seller’s side, due diligence is equally critical. Ownership disputes, land fraud, and unclear documentation remain some of the biggest risks in Ghana’s real estate sector.
Edwina understands the weight of the responsibility she carries. “The money involved is huge. These are people’s lifetime savings. Most people buy one home or maybe two in their entire lives. You cannot afford to make a mistake.”
Working in what many describe as a male-dominated field has never intimidated her. With an MBA in Marketing and extensive experience in sales roles including a stint as an Account Manager in an advertising agency, she has grown comfortable handling clients, negotiating deals, and presenting herself with confidence.
“My gender has never discouraged me,” she says. “What matters is hard work and ensuring that the client’s needs were met.”
The only occasional challenge, she admits, was maintaining professional boundaries when some men attempt to be overly familiar. Her solution is simple: stay professional and do not over-familiarise yourself with clients.
Her educational journey started in Kumasi, followed by Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School, where she studied Agricultural Science. She continued the same at the University of Ghana before pursuing her master’s degree. After university, she worked on her uncle’s poultry farm before moving into advertising. Later, her role at MeQasa finally opened the door to the career she had long been unknowingly preparing for.
Over the years, Edwina has built a reputation not only for competence but also for care. She recalls one client in particular, an older man relocating to Ghana with no family in the country. After helping him secure two homes, she became the closest person he could rely on. One evening at around 8 p.m., he called to say he felt unwell. Without hesitation, she drove to his home and rushed him to the hospital. Doctors later told her that any delay could have been fatal.
For Edwina, that moment affirmed that the job goes far beyond selling property. “It doesn’t end with the sale,” she says. “You have to look out for people.”
Her influence also extends to younger people observing her journey. She is known for her tenacity, her refusal to give up on clients or tasks, and her resilience in the face of challenges. Those who work around her learn to push forward regardless of setbacks.
“If a deal doesn’t go as expected, you don’t look back. You find a way.”
Beyond real estate, Edwina serves as an interpreter in her church, a role that dramatically boosted her confidence. What began with trembling legs has evolved into a boldness that reflects in her public speaking and client interactions. She credits her growth to God, her senior pastor, her mother, siblings, friends, and her dedicated team — “an amazing circle,” she calls them.
Today, she is also a partner in a showroom business dealing in vanity units, sanitary wares, and tiles, an extension of her real estate insight and experience.
For young people aspiring to join the industry, her advice is clear: “Learn the industry beyond selling. Understand transactions, build strong relationships, and always do your due diligence.”
For Edwina Anokye-Bempah, real estate is more than business; it is trust, service, and impact, one client at a time.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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From the age of five, Daniel Nana Kwesi Kakra Debrah has lived a life surrounded by rhythm, harmony, and the quiet pulse of music. Growing up in a home where instruments filled corners and rehearsals were as normal as conversation, Daniel’s first teachers were not in formal classrooms—they were the sounds, movements, and discipline he absorbed from his father, a committed church musician.
Ironically, music was not Daniel’s first dream. Like many young boys, he once hoped to become a professional footballer. But an injury from a school match left him unable to walk for three months, forcing him to retire that ambition. What seemed like a tragedy at the time became the turning point that aligned him with the path he was always meant to follow.
Daniel’s earliest musical expression began in church. As a boy in Sunday School, he eagerly ‘pounded’ the drums, quickly becoming known as the child who never missed an opportunity to play. Even in Senior High School (SHS), although many of his classmates were unaware of his talent, he continued practising quietly until completing school in 2005.
After SHS, Daniel joined a church music class with the intention of growing as a drummer, but one moment changed everything. Watching a bass guitarist perform stirred something in him. Drawn to the deep, steady tones of the bass, he persuaded a friend to teach him the basics. With no instrument of his own, Daniel practised at home using a broken guitar for more than eight months.
Then destiny intervened. The church’s lead bassist was suddenly suspended, and Daniel stepped in voluntarily during an evening service. That temporary voluntary act became permanent as he was asked by the then Music Director to fill in the gap. From that point, he embraced the bass guitar fully—a decision that defined the rest of his life.
Around 2006, Daniel made a life-changing decision to take his craft seriously. He began practising for hours on end, sometimes up to eight hours a day, often without food, locked away from family and friends, perfecting techniques and expanding his creativity. While others assumed he was outdoors socialising, Daniel was indoors sharpening his gift.
His breakthrough came in 2007 when he performed in the TV3 Bands Alive competition. The exposure, applause, and feedback confirmed his dream: “music was not just a passion; it was his calling,” he said.
With time, Daniel moved confidently into the professional space. He performed at studio sessions, live concerts, weddings, church events, and high-profile national programmes. His talent, discipline, and reliability earned him a reputation that continues to attract respected gospel artistes.
Today, he works closely with Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Chris Apau, and Israel Ofori, who have been of immense help to his career ministry. He also collaborates with several ministries and offers support with musical arrangements, live performances, and studio recordings.
Beyond the stage, Daniel sees himself as a mentor. Many young musicians reach out to him, some visiting in person, others calling for guidance. Whether through hands-on training or virtual coaching, he is always ready to teach. For Daniel, music is not just technique; it is character, discipline, and values. He believes a musician must carry integrity both on and off stage.
Like many musicians in Ghana, Daniel has faced challenges with delayed payments and broken agreements. These experiences have taught him to value professionalism. He now insists on part payment upfront and charges more for his services, a decision grounded in self-respect and fairness.
Daniel’s journey in music has been shaped by various individuals who have supported him at different stages of his career. He acknowledged Opoku Agyeman Sanaa, Kofi Ennin, Andrew Klu, Mr. Samuel Abbey, Mr. Samuel Sarpong Agyei, Paul Quartey, Mr. Nene Emmanuel, and Mr. Isaac Asiedu, saying that their belief in him continues to inspire his journey.
Daniel’s work is guided by his Christian faith. He sees music as ministry, not merely entertainment. Off stage, he is a devoted family man—a husband and father of two, a boy and a girl, who have also started playing musical instruments. During his leisure time, he listens to music, or plays football and action video games.
Through his acts of service and unwavering determination, Daniel continues to inspire others, proving that when passion meets integrity, ordinary men impact the lives of others.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
