Profile
Doris Deku: The professional tiler inspiring female artisans
She grew up in Suhum in the Eastern Region but lost both parents at a tender age. Her father died when she was 15 and her mother also passed on three years later.
Due to financial constraints, her dream of becoming a Lawyer could not materialise as she was unable to further her education beyond Junior High School.
Determined to make ends meet nonetheless, she took up petty trading while living with an elder sister at Madina in Accra. Many years on, she has found her way in construction as a professional tiler and is helping other young ladies tap the opportunities in this sector.
This is the story of Ms. Doris Deku, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ansadee Ventures and Ambassador for Artisans Association of Ghana (AAG).
When The Spectator caught up with her last Friday, she and her team had started a tiling project on a three-storey building in Accra.
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Explaining how she has become a highly sought-after tiler in Accra, the 29-year-old said that she used to sell cooked food at construction sites in her area after completing basic education.
“On one of my rounds at the site, I interacted with a worker on how I could be trained as a tiler. I had been observing them for sometime and I thought it would be an easy job for me,” she recalled.
According to her, some of the workers had told her that “tiling is not for ladies and not the same as preparing food for sale.” This ridiculous comment, she noted, were meant to “kill her passion’ but it rather sparked her interest further and did not damper her spirit.
As fate would have it, on one of her food selling rounds, she chanced on an opportunity offered by the Youth Inclusive Entrepreneurial Development Initiative for Employment (YIEDIE).
The five-year project, implemented by Global Communities in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, is designed to “create economic opportunities in the construction sector for economically disadvantaged youth.”
Doris decided to join the programme but initially opted for training in interior decoration. Upon realising that a lot of her compatriots had chosen this particular course, she switched to learn the rudiments of tiling instead.
“I told myself I would try tiling because I have never seen a female doing this job,” she said.
Doubt
According to her, some pessimists had doubted her success in the field during the first week of training but she was bent on finishing what she had started.
“When my trainer was away some workers would tell me to quit and find a better alternative but I kept telling them that even if I did not succeed, the knowledge I acquired would be enough achievement for me,” she said.
Contract
After completing the six-month intensive training in 2016, Doris sat the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) proficiency test and continued to understudy her “Master”, Mr. Nicholas Agbotse, for another one-and-a-half years.
“On a visit to a construction site, a fellow artisan spoke to me about a tiling job. The building project was behind schedule so they needed more hands to complete the tiling project. I did not have all the tools for the job so I decided to partner other colleagues in order to use their tools,” she said.
This was how the tenacious woman executed her first contract successfully and had since been getting recommendations for other projects. Subsequently, she joined a real estate development company that relied on her expertise anytime there was a project.
Company
With an initial grant from YIEDIE, she registered her company in 2017 and currently has 14 trainees, comprising 11 girls and three boys, and seven other permanent workers.
In September this year, the company was recognised by the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry as the “Most Distinguished Inspiring Artisan of the Year” at the Ghana Construction Industry Excellence Awards.
Future
Although she is impressed that more young ladies now look up to her, the AAG Ambassador said she would do more for herself and other young girls in the industry.
“I want to train more ladies in tiling and form an all women artisan group to encourage other women to tap the opportunities in the construction industry,” she said.
Doris says she now has many of the equipment required for the job but plans to get other mechanical ones to speed up her work.
Advice
The CEO maintains that there are opportunities in the construction sector, apart from tiling and that young people, especially females, should strive to make a mark in the sector.
She says that the initial hurdles are inevitable but the benefit would certainly come when ‘we put our minds to it.”
“Tiling is all about beautification so I am always proud of myself when people are satisfied with my work after completion,” she has said.
The graduate of Umabun Hatab Islamic School at Madina Zongo has urged artisans to remain committed to their task and allow their professionalism to “speak for them.”
Doris, the youngest of five siblings, has said that her progress is not by her might but by the “will of God,” and remains grateful to Mr. Agbotse who trained her at the initial stages at no cost.
By Ernest Nutsugah
Long before Accra fully wakes, Nima is already alive. From dawn, the call to prayer rises across the community as worshippers move quietly through narrow streets toward nearby mosques. Not far away, market women arrange tomatoes, onions, pepper, and smoked fish on wooden tables, while vendors prepare warm bowls of Hausa koko for workers starting their day early.
This is Nima, one of Accra’s oldest, busiest, and most culturally vibrant communities.
For residents, Nima is more than a place. It is identity, family, struggle, faith, and survival woven tightly into everyday life. It is a community where life is shared and survival is collective.
Nima traces its roots to the colonial era, when migrants from northern Ghana and neighbouring West African countries settled in Accra in search of work and opportunity. Many arrived with little, but over time built a strong and closely knit community shaped by hard work, faith, and mutual support.
The origin of the name Nima is widely debated. Some link it to the Ga language, where “Nii” refers to a king and “mann” to a city, loosely interpreted as “city of the king.” Others trace it to the Arabic word “Ni’ma,” meaning “blessings,” reflecting the community’s strong Islamic influence.
Regardless of its origin, Nima remains one of Ghana’s largest and oldest Zongo communities, with roots stretching back to the 19th century.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
In a music landscape often defined by trends and tempo, George Nii Odai Oliver widely known as DJ Rev stands out as a man on a mission.
More than just a DJ, he is a minister, mentor, and youth advocate who has found a unique calling at the intersection of sound and spirituality.
Beyond the decks, DJ Rev is a devoted husband and a committed servant of God.
His life is anchored in purpose, with a deep passion for youth development. As the Technical Director at Christ for Youth International (CYI), a global youth ministry, he plays a significant role in shaping young lives, not only through words but also through music.
His journey in ministry began early, including his role as a founding member of the Ambassadors Christian Rap Group, where he first explored the power of music as a tool for transformation.
The name ‘DJ Rev’ derived from ‘Reverend,’ reflects both his spiritual identity and his mission to ignite atmospheres much like revving an engine with high-energy gospel music.
For him, every performance goes beyond entertainment; it becomes a moment of worship, revival, and connection with God.
His journey into DJing started from a fascination with music and technology during his younger years in Ghana.
Drawn to the ability of DJs to influence mood and unite people, he identified a gap in the Christian music space, which was someone who could seamlessly blend urban sounds with gospel messages. Starting from small church events and youth programmes, DJ Rev gradually honed his craft into what he now describes as a full-fledged calling.
Like many success stories, his path was not without challenges; he had limited access to equipment, skepticism about gospel DJing, and the difficulty of balancing ministry with performance all tested his resolve.
Yet, through persistence, faith, and support from mentors and the Christian community, he rose above these obstacles. Borrowing equipment, learning on the job, and staying grounded in prayer became part of his journey.
A defining moment in his career came when he realised that DJing was more than a passion; it was ministry.
Witnessing lives being transformed during his sets, seeing people move from dancing into deep worship, and watching young talents he mentored flourish affirmed his purpose.
DJ Rev’s style is best described as high-energy, spirit-led, and versatile. He effortlessly blends hip-hop, Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and urban gospel into seamless mixes that resonate with diverse audiences.
His signature approach is what he enthusiastically calls ‘Energyyyy! saying it is not just about hype, but about creating moments that touch both body and soul.
What sets him apart in Ghana’s DJ industry is his unwavering commitment to ministry-first performances. While many DJs focus solely on entertainment, DJ Rev uses his platform to create spaces where faith and music coexist powerfully. His technical expertise, drawn from his role in ministry, combined with his passion for mentorship, gives him a distinctive edge.
Over the years, he has witnessed significant growth in Ghana’s DJ industry, with increased recognition, technological advancement, and global influences such as Amapiano shaping the soundscape.
Notably, he has contributed to pushing gospel music into mainstream spaces, particularly through his popular Amapiano Gospel mixes.
Among his most memorable performances are events like Oasis Gathering, Sound Fest, and Saved to Serve platforms where music transcended performance into powerful spiritual encounters.
“These are moments that define success, lives touched, hearts uplifted, and faith renewed,” DJ Rev stated
Away from the spotlight, he embraces a quieter, more reflective life. He enjoys spending time with family, mentoring young people, engaging in ministry work, and pursuing simple hobbies like gardening and DIY projects.
For him, a perfect day off includes moments of prayer, meaningful conversations, and peaceful retreats, often in serene locations like Cape Coast or the Volta Region.
Despite his achievements, DJ Rev remains grounded. He acknowledges the challenges he has faced, ranging from limited resources to balancing ministry and career, but credits his resilience to faith, community support, and a clear sense of purpose.
These experiences have taught him invaluable lessons about perseverance, humility, and authenticity.
Looking ahead, DJ Rev aims to expand his ministry through music both locally and internationally, release more projects, mentor emerging talents, and further establish gospel DJ culture in Ghana. His ultimate desire is to be remembered as a pioneer who brought revival through music, blending excellence with unashamed faith.
To young aspiring DJs, his message is clear: master your craft, stay consistent, build character, and never lose sight of your purpose.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
