Profile
Meet Oral Ofori …an information and communication consultant based in Washington DC
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story, how did you get to where you are today?
Oral Ofori is my name and I’m an information and communication research consultant with over a decade of experience working in the Washington DC metro area.
TheAfricanDream LLC is the name of my firm, it consults on matters relating to Sports, Events, Entertainment, Diplomacy, Branding, Nonprofit, and Education among others.
A personal and professional objective is to positively bridge the gap between Africa and the rest of the world by building progressive connections through the Diaspora. My work interests also include ghostwriting, video/text/3D creation and editing, book review/publishing, and more, learn more here: wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_Ofori
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I have had to overcome simple challenges like not being able to eat the kinds of foods I grew up eating in Ghana because I am now living in America. A remedy I created involved improvising by using what I have available here in America in the kitchen to create the best culinary opportunities for myself, this is because you are what you eat and if you don’t respect your diet it might ruin your life.
Racism or being wrongly profiled or unfairly treated based on your skin pigmentation is a constant battle an immigrant like myself fights. In situations like these, I have always learned to first know my history and purpose and speak truth to what I believe in, and not let any form of oppression make me deny who I am or what I intend to become. Sometimes ignorance becomes a dangerous tool that people use aware or intentionally so we must [really] know about the culture we work and network with as this would help you know how to behave in situations that challenge you.
Finally, it’s very easy these days to neglect your spiritual and mental wellbeing. My solutions to this came when I realized you cannot pour out of an empty cup and I say this because you need to make sure that you as a person are spiritually and mentally well catered to, and the best person to bring your spiritual and mental needs is yourself.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I provide advice on securing Africa-related media content from trusted and reliable media organizations and practitioners on and off the continent. I also help promote Africa news and provide Search Engine Optimization services, Social Media Management, 3D Artistry, Research, Investigative reporting, Wikipedia update and building, photography, copywriting/editing, ghostwriting management, and Promotion of talents, event organizing, and more. We also do Interpretation and translation of Ghanaian and other African languages, Voiceovers, Web building and Management, Software Development, and more.
What sets me apart from others is that I tell the stories of Africa and Africans from an African perspective in a way that is devoid of unnecessary, accidental, or ill-intended adulteration. By doing so, I always seek to project and share Africa’s stories in a way that makes them more candid and appealing to the African and also leaves the non-African more enlightened and informed about the continent.
Since 2009-2021 I have maintained a healthy working relationship with over a dozen Embassies in the Washington DC metro area and multinational institutions that seek the advancement of humanity globally.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
First of all, I had to learn to accept the fact that not everyone was going to understand me for who I am, based on this I learned to be open-minded and how to make friends even though I was an introvert,
As a person, you need to be welcoming and accepting of others and their opinions even if you don’t believe in them. However, you also need to learn the type of friendships and systems you get involved with because your friends and environment have a huge potential to determine your future.
I also realize that sometimes you have to do certain things that you’re not comfortable with and when it comes to that point for me I would do whatever so long as it is not illegal and it is not against my spiritual beliefs, this has helped me appreciate that fact that I don’t need a high horse. If you ask me I will say knowledge of where you immediately stand and the history of that place or situation is key. But don’t allow yourself to be trampled on because sometimes you have to be humble and so while being humble also be on the lookout to protect your dignity.
Stand up for yourself and speak your truth no matter how difficult the situation that you might find yourself in might be. This is because the positive energy you give yourself might be the only thing that carries you in alone in times of difficulty.
What’s next for you?
As a digital storyteller, I’ve been involved in an animation movie project with Studio Parables and Animation Africa of Ghana since October of 2020. We are almost done and due for release before the end of 2021. However, due to covid restrictions, I have been stalled.
As far as future projections are concerned I will need help by way of financial assistance or partnership so I can complete and share the movie (trailer in link) with the world and also produce other feature animation and feature movies to share with the world about the beauty of Africa as the cradle of mankind. Learn more about this project at bit.ly/donate28th
I also hope to publish my book before the end of 2021 and to help others do the same that can not afford to by expanding my network and collaboration with people and expanding my business across the United States and into Africa to tell stories on a larger scale through movies and writing. I believe there’s power in the film/written media as tools for positively changing the African narrative.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as oralofori or visit my business website at www.theafricandream.co
Source: https://www.wtnzfox43.com/story/44669883/meet-oral-ofori
IN the annals of Ghana’s sporting history, certain individuals stand out not merely for participating in sport, but for transforming it.
Rev. Emmanuel D. Niikoi is one such figures. Revered as the father of modern netball in Ghana, is widely credited with rescuing the game from near extinction and transforming it into a vibrant, structured and nationally recognised sports discipline.
His journey reflects vision, resilience and an unwavering commitment to youth and sports development.
Netball was introduced to the then Gold Coast by Christian missionaries alongside formal education. By the 1960s and early 1970s, the sport had gained remarkable popularity in schools and colleges, ranking second only to football and, in some institutions, rivaling it in appeal.
However, during the 1974/75 academic year, the Ghana Education Service (GES) took a policy decision to step down netball in favour of basketball development. The decision dealt a severe blow to the sport.
Between 1975 and 1985, competitive netball virtually disappeared from Ghana’s sporting calendar.
That decision of the GES can be blamed for the current state of the sports that is producing heroines across the globe.
The revival of the game can be traced to 1985 during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
At the time, Rev. Niikoi was serving as Chief Editor (News) in the Radio Newsroom. Understanding both the historical importance and untapped potential of netball, he championed the inclusion of a netball tournament as part of the anniversary celebrations. The event reignited public interest and reminded many of the sport’s former glory.
Crucially, Rev. Niikoi did not allow the momentum to fade after the festivities. The GBC netball team formed for the tournament, aptly named “Golden Hands,” became the cornerstone of a national revival campaign.
With determination and personal sacrifice, he led tours across the country, using the team as a practical training platform.
He personally taught sports teachers under the GES the official rules of netball, reintroduced structured competition, and restored confidence in the sport’s viability.
These efforts culminated with the formation of the Netball Association of Ghana in 1988, now known as the Netball Federation of Ghana.
In 1990, the association gained formal recognition from the National Sports Authorities, previously known as the National Sports Council (NSC), restoring netball’s status as an official sporting discipline.
This milestone marked the rebirth of organised netball in Ghana and cemented Rev. Niikoi’s place as founder of the national governing body.
Revival soon transitioned into consolidation. Over the years, Rev. Niikoi consistently lobbied educational and sports authorities to reintegrate netball into major school competitions.
His advocacy led to the sport’s reintroduction into the National Basic Schools Sports Festival, the Senior High and Technical Schools Sports Festival, the Colleges of Education games, and competitions under the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA).
Today, netball is played across the entire educational structure in Ghana, from basic schools to public universities, a testament to his sustained and strategic efforts.
On the continental and global front, Ghana is a full member of World Netball and was a founding member of the Confederation of Africa Netball Associations (CANA), now Africa Netball.
In 2004, Ghana hosted the inaugural Africa Netball Cup of Nations in Accra and emerged champions after defeating Namibia in the final. The victory not only boosted Ghana’s sporting image but also validated years of groundwork.
In 2007, Rev. Niikoi was elected Director of Marketing and Media for CANA, serving a four-year term and contributing to the sport’s development across the continent.
In 2019, following governance reforms required by the International Olympic Committee to lift sanctions related to state interference in sports administration, national federations were mandated to adopt independent constitutions. Under this new framework, the Netball Federation of Ghana successfully drafted its constitution and conducted elections.
On June 19, 2019, Rev. Niikoi was elected the federation’s first President under the independent constitutional order which is symbolic and deserved recognition of decades of service.
Beyond netball administration, Rev. Niikoi also served two terms spanning eight years from March 2018 to March 2025 as an Executive Board Member of the Ghana Olympic Committee.
His presence on the board ensured that netball maintained visibility within Ghana’s broader Olympic movement.
A Bachelor of Arts graduate in Combined Honours (History and Law), Rev. Emmanuel D. Niikoi has trained numerous coaches and umpires nationwide, strengthening the sport’s technical foundation and ensuring sustainability.
His leadership style combines administrative discipline with grassroots engagement, making him both a strategist and a mentor.
From dormancy to dynamism, the resurgence of netball in Ghana bears his unmistakable imprint. Through advocacy, institution-building and capacity development, Rev. Niikoi has secured a lasting legacy.
Today, every netball match played in Ghana, whether at a basic school court or a university festival stands as living testimony to his vision and perseverance.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
AUTISM Awareness Care and Training (AACT) is Ghana’s first autism-focused centre, playing a pioneering role in the care, education, and advocacy for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Established in 1998, AACT began as a parent-support and training initiative at a time when autism was poorly understood in Ghana. Many families raising autistic children faced stigma, isolation, and limited access to information or professional assistance.
Over the years, the organisation has evolved into a full-fledged autism care and training centre, responding to the growing demand for specialised services and sustained nationwide awareness.
AACT is currently located in Haatso, Accra, where it operates a structured day programme serving about 25 learners daily. The centre provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children with autism are guided to develop essential life, social, and functional skills.
Programmes at the centre focus on independent living skills, vocational and pre-vocational training, functional academic skills, and therapeutic interventions. These activities are tailored to the individual needs of each learner, recognising that children on the autism spectrum learn and develop at different paces.
According to Abeiku Grant, Head of Programmes at AACT, the centre’s philosophy is centred on ability rather than limitation.
“Every autistic child is different,” he said. “Our work is to support them at their own pace and help them discover what they can do, not to focus on what they cannot do.”
Beyond centre-based services, AACT places strong emphasis on autism awareness and advocacy, particularly within schools and communities. Many children with autism in Ghana continue to face rejection and exclusion due to stigma, misinformation, and the lack of trained personnel in educational institutions.
In 2025, AACT reached over 20 schools across the country, providing autism education to teachers, students, and school administrators.
The organisation also runs free teacher training programmes, equipping educators with practical knowledge and basic tools to support autistic learners in inclusive classroom settings.
“Many schools tell us they are not resourced or trained to handle autistic learners,” Mr Grant explained. “Instead of waiting for change, we decided to go to them and train teachers for free.”
AACT also engages learners directly, addressing widespread misconceptions about autism, including the false belief that autism is contagious or caused by bad parenting. These outreach programmes aim to build empathy among students and promote peer support for autistic learners in mainstream schools.
Another major challenge confronting families is limited access to autism services, especially outside Accra. With most autism centres concentrated in the capital, many families from other regions are forced to travel long distances or keep their children at home due to cost, stigma, or lack of support.
“Education is not meant only for typical children,” Mr Grant stressed. “Children with autism also have the right to education and care. No child should be hidden because of lack of understanding or opportunity.”
As part of its outreach work, AACT supports parents to overcome stigma and encourages social interaction for children with autism, believing that community engagement is essential for development and confidence building.
In December 2025, the centre received what it described as its largest donation of the year, raised by children from the Unmasked Mentoring initiative. According to the organisation, the donation was particularly significant as it demonstrated empathy and social responsibility among young people.
As a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, AACT depends largely on donations, partnerships, and goodwill to sustain and expand its work. Current needs include a minibus for community-based social activities, expansion of its facility to accommodate more learners, sponsorship support for children from financially challenged families, and funding to scale autism awareness programmes nationwide.
Looking ahead, AACT envisions a Ghanaian society that is inclusive, informed, and supportive of persons with autism.
“Our goal is a Ghana where children with autism are accepted and supported,” Mr Grant said. “Every child has potential. All they need is understanding, opportunity, and care.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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