Profile
Evans Ofori: Model extraordinaire, inspiring sense of fashion
Unlike many that pursue a career in Fashion modelling for the clout, fame and the celebrity status it provides, UK-based Ghanaian model, Evans Ofori, has a different motive — the passion to inspire people’s sense of style.
The 25-year-old has over the years been intrigued by the massive influence of fashion modelling in people’s fashion choices and personal style.
For this reason, he has decided to be a part of people’s journey as they pursue their fashion goals by ambling on the runways and posing for photographs to inform and showcase the latest clothing styles to aid their choices.
”Fashion is everything. We see nice things and we want it. Fashion is one of the most important aspects of our lives. You dress good; you feel good. You get compliments.
●Evans on the runaway 
●Evans Ofori 
●Evans Ofori
“You attract others and unconsciously you influence someone without knowing it. How many times have people asked others ‘where did you get that from’?” he intimated.
The opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds with different experiences and cultures has also been a great incentive for Evan’s love affair in modelling.
He talks fondly about the networking opportunities the profession has introduced him to; the everlasting bond that he has encountered and working with people he never imagined he would ever meet.
Career
Despite being in second year as a professional fashion model, Evans has made significant headways and is billed for great exploits in the industry.
He started off by doing extras for shows in the United Kingdom (UK) including the ‘only way is Essex’, Hollyoaks and popular Chinese movie installations, IPman 4 on Netflix. Evans again starred on ITV’s dating show, ‘Dress to lmpress.’
These works boosted his profile going on to work for notable brands including Liverpool Football Club (LFC retail), Zanouchi, Envisage, KIR while featuring also on the runway for the Bepo and Osprey clothing brands at the Cheshire Fashion week.
A graduate from the University of North Lanchashire in Preston, Evans owns a Sports therapy business also.
For him, his confidence, affectionate and savviness with communication and networking skills have been the major pillars of his career.
Challenges
According to Evans, being a Fashion Model is physically demanding as it always “requires you to be in good physical shape.”
“There’s also the challenge of learning how to adapt since brands may need you to do a specific job that suits their preference,” he noted.
Maintaining an unblemished reputation when thrust into the spotlight, according to him, is crucial for progress, since brands and clients do not want unreliable or controversial models.
He again admits that favouritism is rife in the profession and, therefore, models need strong networking skills to advance their careers and continuously prove to agents that they deserve certain jobs even if they have rightfully earned their place.
Notwithstanding the inherent challenges, he says the job provides an adventure, thrill and fun that fuels his love and pride to stick to it.
Future
Having worked with leading global and UK clothing brands, Evans says he is prepared to venture into the Ghanaian and African markets to make an enviable mark.
As a Ghanaian and an African, he believes working with clothing brands on the African continent will be an expansion of his work and a dream come true. It will also afford him the opportunity to introduce his works across the continent.
“Being a Ghanaian and African, I’ve also dreamt about influencing fashion across the continent because I believe as Africans, we have an authentic and unique style which we should be harnessing for global impact,” he states.
By Nana Bentsi Oduro
Aurora Commodore-Toppar believes in mentoring others and creating opportunities for people to thrive, emphasising that teamwork is key to success. For her, fulfillment comes not only from personal achievements but also from seeing others grow and succeed.
A devoted wife, mother of three, farmer, entrepreneur, and committed Christian, Aurora embodies the balance of faith, family, and service. Guided by values such as hard work, integrity, determination, justice, passion, and fairness, she lives a life anchored in principles that inspire those around her.
Aurora credits much of her success to a strong family support system and her ability to plan wisely, even managing her leave days to allocate time for work, farming, and family. “Proper planning and a supportive family have kept me going,” she says with a smile.
Early Leadership and Multitasking
Aurora’s leadership journey began long before her professional career took off. As a student, she learned the importance of structure and multitasking through unexpected lessons in water management, which she fondly recalls as the foundation for her discipline and organisational skills.
A Promise Fulfilled
Perhaps the most remarkable chapter in Aurora’s journey is her fulfillment of a long-standing promise to God. Before her Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2000, she battled a serious health challenge and vowed that if God healed her and helped her complete her education, she would give back to her alma mater, Aburi Girls’ Senior High School.
Years later, upon visiting the school, she was disheartened by the state of the old basketball court, which also served as a car park. Guided by faith and a proactive spirit, she spearheaded the construction of an ultra-modern multi-purpose basketball court. The facility not only provides a safe and inspiring space for sports but also serves as a potential source of income for the school through community rentals.
Inspiration Through Sports and Life Lessons
Aurora views her service as part of her journey toward self-actualisation, drawing inspiration from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. “In sports, you win, lose, or draw. These lessons translate into everyday life, teaching us to learn from our experiences and those of others,” she reflects.
Faith, Family, and Entrepreneurship
Aurora attributes her strength and values to her parents, mentors, and key professional influences. Beyond her professional commitments, she finds peace in farming crops and livestock, spending quality time with her children, and exploring creative hobbies such as bead-making and producing fresh juices. These hobbies eventually birthed her entrepreneurial venture, Pamkat Ventures. “Pamkat was born out of leisure time,” she explains.
A Life Philosophy
Acknowledging the demands society places on women—from marriage and motherhood to career and home management—Aurora remains grounded in faith. “It only takes the grace of God to get to the top,” she believes. Her family—a loving husband, two intelligent daughters, and a promising son she affectionately calls her “future president or minister for defence”—remains her greatest source of inspiration.
Her life philosophy is simple yet powerful: “It’s okay to dream big, but don’t let it remain just a dream. Plan it, act on it, and make an effort towards it. You don’t need titles to achieve anything. Once you are passionate about it, go for it.”
Through her acts of service, mentoring, and unwavering determination, Aurora Commodore-Toppar continues to inspire others, proving that when passion meets integrity, ordinary women can achieve extraordinary impact.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Spectator
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For Mrs. Patience Antonio, founder of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute (WLDI), women’s empowerment is more than a popular phrase; it is a lifelong mission to help women rediscover their strength, purpose, and voice. Her journey has been shaped by years of advocacy, research, and field experience working with women and children across Ghana.
Her words carry both compassion and conviction as she reflects on the state of women in society. “We can’t keep talking about women’s empowerment when we don’t protect and support them,” she says gently. “Many women are struggling in silence, carrying heavy emotional and financial burdens. Real empowerment must build the woman from within so she can rebuild her family and her community.”
That conviction led to the establishment of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute, a training and mentorship hub designed to nurture women into strong, self-aware leaders. The Institute focuses on transforming women at all stages of life through a three-level training model that blends leadership education with practical life skills.
At the first level, WLDI works with professional and career women, including those already occupying leadership or administrative positions but seeking growth, balance, and renewed confidence. Mrs. Antonio believes that leadership begins with personal transformation. “Many professional women face burnout because they carry multiple responsibilities at work and at home,” she explains. “Our training helps them rediscover balance, develop emotional intelligence, and strengthen their leadership capacity.”
The second level targets women in business and entrepreneurship. These are the women who, despite limited resources, are running shops, farms, and small enterprises across Ghana. “We want to highlight women who are already leading their own businesses,” she says. “They are the silent engines of our economy. With the right mentorship, they can scale their ventures, manage finances prudently, and create job opportunities for others.”
To Mrs. Antonio, however, the third level is the most crucial—the empowerment of grassroots women. These include market women, small-scale traders, and women in the informal sector. She describes them as “the backbone of the economy but also the most neglected.”
“From our research, many social challenges we face as a country stem from this group,” she notes. “Some of these women struggle to provide for their children, leading to issues like streetism and unstable families. Others fall repeatedly into unhealthy relationships because they lack self-awareness and support. When we empower them with knowledge, discipline, and self-leadership, we strengthen the very foundation of society.”
Beyond personal and economic empowerment, the Institute also pays attention to community wellbeing. WLDI has been active in mobilising women to address sanitation and health issues in local markets. “Women are central to community hygiene and food safety,” Mrs. Antonio explains. “By educating market women on health and sanitation, we create cleaner, safer spaces for everyone.”
Her work is not limited to adult women. Mrs. Antonio’s vision extends to youth leadership, particularly among young women. She believes that grooming must begin early if the nation hopes to produce visionary leaders. “Leadership should not start when people are old,” she insists. “It should begin with discipline, values, and mentorship from a young age. We must prepare the next generation now, not later.”
Through her work at WLDI, Mrs. Antonio continues to advocate for policies and social systems that recognise women’s contributions at all levels, from the marketplace to the boardroom. She often reminds participants that empowerment is not about competition with men but collaboration for societal growth.
Her life’s mission is deeply rooted in her belief that when women grow, the ripple effects are felt in every home and community. “When a woman grows, a family grows,” she says with a smile. “And when families grow, nations become stronger.”
She also believes that national development demands inclusive leadership. WLDI therefore seeks to build a database of trained women across various sectors, ready for leadership roles, appointments, board representation, and decision-making platforms. She is convinced that when women are empowered to lead in homes, communities, workplaces, and public spaces, the ripple effect is stronger families, better societies, and a progressive nation.
Mrs. Patience Antonio is a wife, mother, transformational speaker, leadership advocate, and mentor who has spent years championing the growth and holistic development of women and youth. Her vision has touched lives in homes, churches, institutions, and professional spaces. She is married with three children and loves reading.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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