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Resilience, versatility and service: The story of Ohemea Odiasempa Abena Ayeba Okani I
Ohemea Odiasempa Abena Ayeba Okani I, known in private life as Mrs Susan Essilfie, is a woman of many parts-a royal, a mother, an entrepreneur, a sports enthusiast, and above all, a symbol of resilience. Her life story weaves together the threads of tradition, business, service, and personal strength, making her one of the most dynamic figures within her community and beyond.
Her roots in royalty run deep. Born into royal household, her late father served as one of the chiefs, and by lineage, her destiny was tied to leadership and service.
Yet, her elevation to the stool was not just about tradition-it was about her willingness to serve.
Speaking to The Spectator at her residence at Spintex in Accra, Ohemea Okani I of Adukrom Akuapim, recalled one of the uncles in her royal family emphasised the importance of sustaining their heritage and supporting their people.
For her, stepping into that responsibility was considered an honourable calling.
She stated that the role of a Queen mother was not ceremonial but rather carries a lot of weight: the discipline to uphold values, the responsibility to guide the youth, and the obligation to contribute to development.
She believes that Queen mothers were meant to safeguard livelihoods, encourage progress, and serve as role models in their communities.
“The main aim is to support the township, especially in youth development,” she notes.
She however admitted that the role comes with challenges, particularly financial, as many traditional leaders were not on formal payrolls.
Ohemea Okani I said without an independent source of income, it can be difficult to fulfill these duties effectively.
That is where her entrepreneurial skills and strength shines. Over the years, Mrs Essilfie has built a diversified business portfolio spanning construction, cleaning services, textiles, detergents, and food and drinks production.
Previously, she was active in the fisheries trade, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was a fishmonger.
Although she eventually left the trade due to market challenges and losses, the lessons she carried forward about resilience, bargaining, and perseverance continue to shape her entrepreneurial approach.
Her versatility is perhaps most visible in sports. For years, she owned and managed Sutick Gym at Tema Community 1, Site 15, a commercial gym that attracted footballers, musicians, and fitness enthusiasts.
Her passion for sports grew naturally—she was always active, loved physical activity, and found joy in encouraging others to train.
From that base, she was drawn to boxing, a sport she considers both tough and inspiring.
To her, boxing was more than entertainment; it is business, discipline, and a powerful tool for channeling youthful energy into productive outcomes.
“Boxing is a big-time business,” she says with conviction.
She dreams of seeing Ghana reclaim her reputation as a boxing powerhouse, putting more young athletes on the global stage.
She also advocates for women to take up the sport, not only for fitness but also as a pathway to empowerment and financial independence.
Her vision is already inspiring the next generation—her son recently completed a course in boxing promotion and is now awaiting his license to officially step into the business side of the sport.
Beyond her businesses and sports initiatives, Ohemea Okani I has also carved strong niche in philanthropy.
She is the founder of Royals of Valour International, a non-profit organisation that supports and trains women for free in soap making, baking and other vocational skills.
So far, about 200 women have benefited from this initiative, gaining practical skills that enable them to earn an income and support their families.
For her, empowering women with skills is one of the surest ways of breaking cycles of poverty and dependency.
Balancing tradition, business, and family has not been easy, particularly after she lost her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Left to raise two children on her own, she leaned on faith and determination. Her daughter is now pursuing music, while her son is preparing to make his mark as a boxing promoter.
Though the journey has been tough, she sees her children’s progress as one of her greatest achievements.
As a devout Christian, she attributes her strength to God and also acknowledges the values of discipline, compassion and resilience instilled by her parents.
She recalls how her mother’s work as a fishmonger required long hours, frequent travel, and unwavering determination. Those lessons taught her never to rely solely on others and to take pride in hard work.
Ohemea Okani I urged young women to work hard, learn a trade and not rely on anyone else for survival.
She stressed that in today’s world, self-reliance is not optional, it is essential.
She cautions against the modern tendency of young people to seek shortcuts or instant wealth, encouraging them instead to focus on skills, discipline, and perseverance.
She also challenges traditional gender roles, pointing out that no field should be seen as exclusively for men or women.
Whether in construction, trucking, or sports management, she believes women can thrive if they were determined and prepared. “The most important thing is to do it right, make your money, and plan for the future,” she emphasised.
- By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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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