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Beyond the runway …Anita Ofori inspiring youth with her modeling journey
For many young people in Ghana, chasing their dreams can feel overwhelming, especially when challenges pile up. But supermodel, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Anita Ofori has a message of hope: “Be serious about your life, stay focused, and trust the process. Nothing good comes easy, but with God and determination, you can achieve greatness.”
Anita Ofori is not only one of Ghana’s most celebrated models with awards spanning fashion, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, but also a woman who has turned her personal struggles into lessons for others.
She is passionate about mentoring the youth, encouraging them to avoid shortcuts, and teaching them to see every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
Building strength through struggles
Anita’s own story is one of persistence. After completing her first degree at the University of Ghana, she decided to start an event and model management company.
At the time, she was at the height of her modeling career, representing Ghana at international competitions like Miss Model of the World in China and Miss Supermodel Worldwide in India.
But success came at a cost. Managing school, business, and modeling all at once was exhausting. Financial challenges nearly forced her to defer her studies during her final year at university. Still, Anita refused to quit.
She relied on savings, picked up extra skills such as wig-making and hairdressing to earn money, and pressed forward. “I never underestimated any job or skill. Every step was preparing me for the next stage of life,” she recalls.
Her determination paid off. Not only did she graduate, but she also went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Development Communication, solidifying her passion for blending creativity with advocacy.
Giving back through mentorship
Today, Anita has expanded her career far beyond the runway. She runs an international fashion brand, an event and model management company, and a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and women in need. Through these platforms, she organises mentorship programmes, fashion events, and training sessions that help young people discover their potential.
Her NGO, in particular, offers self-esteem classes and skills training to equip the youth with practical knowledge. For Anita, this is about more than teaching. It is about shaping mindsets.
“Young people must learn to focus, work hard, and avoid dubious shortcuts. Whatever comes quickly goes quickly,” she cautions.
Her work in youth development earned her the Outstanding Commitment to Youth Mentorship Award (2024) from Ms Virtuous Ghana
A trail of awards and recognition
Over the years, Anita Ofori’s excellence has been widely recognised. Her honours include Editorial and Commercial Model of the Year (2020) – Ghana Models Awards, Overall Model of the Year (2021) – Ghana Models Awards, Top Model of the Year (2021) – BPL Fashion, Model/Entrepreneur of the Year (2022) – Global Women Leadership Award, Outstanding Model Award (2023) – Ghana Modeling and Fashion Award, Top 50 Ghanaian Fashion Icons (2024), Model/Entrepreneur/Advocate of the Year (2025) – Global Women Leadership Award
Yet, despite these accolades, Anita insists she is not done. “I cannot say I am where I want to be in life. I see myself breaking barriers and being counted among young entrepreneurs and mentors around the world. With God’s help, I will soar higher, and I want the youth to do the same.”
Advice for the next generation
Anita’s guidance to the youth is rooted in both faith and discipline. She encourages them to put God first in all things, set clear principles and stick to them, stay humble, honest, and bold, save money mighty, respect others and maintain a strong sense of identity and purpose.
She also calls on parents to be vigilant in raising children and instilling values early.
To leaders, she appeals for systems that protect the nation’s youth from illegal activities and create accountability for a better future.
Inspiring a generation
What sets Anita apart is not only her success, but her willingness to share the realities behind it, the sacrifices, the moments of doubt, and the faith that kept her going.
For the young people who listen to her story, she represents proof that determination, humility, and God’s guidance can turn obstacles into stepping stones.
“Life is full of ups and downs,” she says. “But every stage is just preparing us for the next. The choices you make today will determine your success tomorrow.”
For Ghana’s youth, Anita Ofori is more than a supermodel. She is a mentor, a guide, and a living reminder that no dream is too far out of reach when pursued with integrity and perseverance.
- By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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
