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Gladys Love Amissah – the sign language professional inspiring others
Though many ridiculed her from the outset, those utterances did not deter her from abandoning a passion she had at the age of nine years.
She kept pushing, overcoming stigmatisation, and now, the passion has become a profession and an inspiration to many.
Ms Gladys Love Amissah, who interprets high Government encounters to the deaf community, wants to become the biggest female interpreter in Africa and the world.
This journey which looks somewhat smooth is riddled with challenges and to encourage those who look up to her, Love, who is a member of the Nsawam Road Branch of the Church of Christ, shared her amazing story with The Spectator
She currently signs for high profile government engagements with the public, including presidential address, and the ongoing Ministry of Information press conferences to update Ghanaians on the novel coronavirus among others.
Background
She is Gladys Love Amissah but many people affectionately call her Love Amissah, she was born to Mr Prince Pasco-Amossah and Ms Alice Lartey.
“I have 15 Siblings, six males and nine females,” she noted.
Ms Love works at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs as the Chief Director’s secretary.
“Growing up I wanted to be a nurse, but I realised I was afraid of blood so I diverted to pursue a course in secretaryship, and that is how I became a professional secretary,” she said.
Passion for signing
Her passion for signing was discovered at age nine, when she started developing interest in sign language.
The interest kept growing stronger anytime Love saw her pastor sign to the congregation at the Church of Christ.
Following this, she opened up to her mother about it, who later told Pastor Sam Williams, of the Deaf Ministry of their church of her daughter’s interest.
She was then made to learn the sign language, and through the teachings and other personal interactions with some deaf people the passion kept growing stronger to what it is now.
Education
She started her educational journey at the University Primary School at Winneba in the Central Region for her basic education and completed Junior High School at the Methodist 2 JHS at Adabraka in Accra.
Love continued to Breman Asikuma Senior High School, where she read Arts including Literature in English. According to her, she disliked French at the time, and would frown anytime the teacher entered the class.
Sharing some fond memories, Love revealed that she had no nickname, but students used her middle name, Pasco, her father’s name, to call her.
“Most of them didn’t know it was my real name,” she disclosed.
“I did Bachelor of Science course in Business Administration at Green Hill, GIMPA, and later did Diploma in Sign Language at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and also a Certificate in Sign Language at KNUTSFORD University College at East Legon in Accra.
Challenges
According to her, the only time a challenge would be easily overcome, is when there is strong interest and determination.
She made some shocking revelation that when she started, most people were saying “If I continue signing I will go deaf, but that didn’t deter me from learning it.”
Television Assignment
Interestingly, she revealed to this paper that, her first television assignment was a disappointment.
“My first assignment on TV was a Meet-The-Press and I flopped “basaaaa”, I didn’t know l should look into the camera, I was just looking around and when I finished people started teaching me how to behave when on set. I must say that since then, it has improved
“Sincerely, when I started signing for the first gentleman of the land, the President, people started insulting me and saying, this woman wears only one dress every time. I laughed because they did not know the ethics governing my profession,” she said.
According to her, due to the nature of their profession, they mostly wear plain dresses anytime they are signing on set.
Touching on her relationship with the deaf community, she said, “It is very great because, anytime I finish with my assignment I send them messages to know if they understood the interpretation.”
Future and advice
Ms Love Amissah wants to impact more lives globally and inspire others in the profession.
“I would like to encourage everyone to take his or her profession serious and be focused.”
Favourite food
Love’s favourite food is Jollof rice with some beverages and loves going out with her family or sleep at her leisure.
Acknowledgement
She expressed appreciation to the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) who organised many workshops for them to better their signing and paid her tuition fees and feeding at University of Cape Coast for two (2) years and further expressed her appreciation to “Church of Christ members for their encouragement, especially her mother, Madam Alice Lartey, and Mrs Diana Amissah, her sister in-law.
Others are Mr Bright Yaw Tiyaa, Mr Emmanuel Osei-Owusu, Mr Yaw Tettevi, Chief Director, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh and all the staff at Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, National Association of Ghanaian Sign Language Interpreters and the Pasco-Amissah family.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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
