Profile
Donald Gwira: Martial arts legend, corporate communications giant
Mr. Donald Gwira might not need much introduction in corporate circles. He is an astute professional with solid background in Corporate Communication, Development, Advocacy and Project Management.
But this is not all that he is made of. He is a force to reckon with and cannot be underestimated in the art of self-defence as he holds fifth degree black belt in African Goju.
The Spectator recently interacted with the legend who has earned the title “Great Warrior” for his exceptional tactics and contribution to the sport in Ghana and abroad.
Exposure
Highlighting his progression through various forms of martial art, Mr. Gwira acknowledged the influence of his three siblings who were all well-versed in the sport.
According to him, the interest grew at age 12 following his exposure to Kunfu movies and had to study under his elder brother, Danny Gwira, in the early 70s at Adisadel College.
“When my brother left, I took over and started teaching [martial arts] in form two at Adisadel College. We organised martial art competitions, did a lot of demonstrations and started spreading martial arts in schools in Cape Coast,” he recalled.
After secondary school, he continued his education at American College in France (now American University of Paris) where he started a martial art institute before proceeding to Howard University in the United States of America (USA) for his Master’s Degree.
At Howard University, he again formed clubs and continued teaching and sharpening his skills until he returned to Ghana.
“I started with Taekwondo, moved on to Shotokan (Japanese form of martial art), and then to Chinese Goju and later migrated to African Goju, which was started by my brother,” he noted.
In 1979, young Donald obtained his first degree black belt and kept training until he secured his fifth degree black belt in 1995. He stopped teaching martial art in 1998 but continued to maintain regular exercise and fitness regime at home to enhance his health and physique.
“The more I trained, the better I became. At my age, I still keep fit; I do a lot of walks every day and I sometimes do sit ups and push ups at home or at the gym to stay active,” he said.
Achievement
The flying kick specialist set an unbeaten record in 1979 after jumping over 12 people to break a two-inch-thick tile at the Burma Camp when the Martial Art Institute did a demonstration for the Ghana Army.
That same year, he was crowned ‘Martial Artist of the Year’ and went ahead to be adjudged the ‘Best Kata’ and ‘Best Breaking’ in 1980 and 1981 respectively. ‘Kata’, he explained, “are a series of leg and hand movements that help one defend him or herself from more than one attacker.”
In 2010, he was named Life Patron and inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Martial Arts Institute for his ‘’outstanding and appreciable’’ contribution to African Goju in France, the USA and Ghana.
He and his three brothers, on separate occasions, were responsible for training the personal body guards of former Head of State, General Kutu Acheampong.
With over 40 years experience in the art, Mr. Gwira continues to attend karate and martial arts tournaments organised locally and looks forward to training more young people to accomplish more than he has achieved.
Corporate Experience
The fighter holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from American University in Paris, and a Master’s in Political Science from Howard University, USA.
Currently an Independent Communications Consultant, he worked at Airtel Ghana, Guinness Ghana Breweries, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IABP), among other organisations and served also on boards of some public institutions, including New Times Corporation, publishers of Ghanaian Times and The Spectator.
In 2017, he was named one of the ‘Most Impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Leader’ while at Afriwave Telecom as Corporate Affairs Director.
He said the philosophies of martial art which became useful in aspects of his career, could be applied to personal and business endeavours, stressing that discipline, timeliness and preparation should guide young people in the corporate world.
“In martial art, you have to get your timing right; if you miss a split second, you get hit. When you transfer this into real life, it helps you to be more productive,” he said.
The powerhouse of martial arts, therefore, advocates that Martial Arts should be taught in basic schools while efforts be made to develop other forms of sport, apart from football.
Other Engagements
Mr. Gwira, from Elmina in the Central Region, is married to Mrs. Frances Gwira with four children. He is a member of the Agape Church at East Legon, Accra.
All his children, he said, had taken up one form of sport or the other with the youngest, a promising swimmer, aiming to win Gold for the Black Dolphins at future Olympics.
Admitting the rewards of martial art, he noted that those willing to take up the art should be ready to train everyday adding that progress depended on how fast one was able to learn the techniques.
Asked how long one must study martial art, he said: “There is no stopping; the only ingredient is to keep practising everyday.”
All things being equal, the 61-year-old would want to attain a Ninth Degree Black Belt in Martial Art.
By Ernest Nutsugah
Profile
Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana’s first deaf Lawyer
In a landmark moment for Ghana’s legal landscape, Juventus Duorinaah Esq., has etched his name in history as the country’s first lawyer with a hearing impairment.
His journey from a humble background to breaking barriers in the legal profession serves as a powerful inspiration for countless individuals in the disability community, proving that determination and resilience can defy societal expectations and create pathways to success.
For Juventus, the recognition as Ghana’s first deaf lawyer feels surreal.
“It feels like a dream,” he reflects, acknowledging the stereotypes surrounding deafness and the humble background from which he hails.
Juventus’ passion for law sparked in 2008 while seeking admission to the University of Ghana (UG). Although he initially faced challenges due to the nature of the application process, the help of his older brother and his determined spirit led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012, followed by a Master of Laws at Cardiff University in 2014.
His passion for the study of law became highly intense when he had to study alongside qualified lawyers from several jurisdictions, even though he did not have a legal background. Here, he faced the unique challenge of studying without sign language interpreters, relying instead on a palantypist to transcribe lectures.
Juventus’ role model was his professor and mentor, Professor Luke Clement, who profoundly inspired him in shaping his understanding of law and human rights.
He remembers Prof. Thomas Stephens from the University of Ghana School Of Law, who inspired him with his way of dressing, in-depth knowledge of the law and engagement with students.
He recounts the enormous challenges he encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when lectures moved online, and Dr Stephen’s tremendous support to ensure things moved quickly and smoothly for him.
“I also had the chance to have a few classes with the Dean himself, Prof. Raymond Atuguba. He taught the course such that some of us never felt scared as other lecturers made the course,’ he recalled.
Juventu’s academic journey was fraught with challenges, particularly in communication.
The year 2007 was the last time he studied with deaf peers. He was often the only deaf person in his classes throughout the following years of his education, which made interaction with peers difficult.
Despite these hurdles, he remained high-spirited, studying late into the night and seeking help from kind classmates when necessary.
Reflecting on his academic experience at UG, he connected his affection for the university to his older brother, who is also an alumnus. He felt inspired to be a student of the premier university, saying he would choose the University of Ghana any time, any day, if given the chance to further his studies or work.
The University Of Ghana School Of Law, along with its Dean, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the Director of Legal Education of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Bramiah Oppong, and his capable team, including the Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the Ghana School of Law and the Office for Students with Special Needs (UG), made significant contributions to his journey.
Prof. Atuguba acknowledged Juventus’ achievement as evidence of the university’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Commenting on how the school accommodated his special needs, Prof. Atugugba explained that ‘In the case of Juventus, we worked closely with him to understand and address his special needs, ensuring he had access to the teaching and learning resources in the appropriate formats that would support his academic journey.
Professor Atuguba noted that Juventus’s journey is just beginning, and the future holds promise for him and the many lives he aims to touch along the way.
Juventus’s close friend, Ida Esi McOwusu Esq., described her first encounter with Juventus as ‘intriguing.’ “My first meeting with Juventus was in class, where he sat right in front of me in first year,” Ida reveals. She was intrigued and wanted to find out more about him, especially how Juventus navigated his way to this level. “I got closer and we became friends from there,” she remarked.
Mr Francis Kweku Essel, Juventus’ interpreter, shed light on the primary challenges he faced in carrying out his job, particularly the complex nature of legal terminology and concepts. This validates Ida’s comment on the interpreters’ lack of legal background as a challenge Lawyer Duorinaah encountred.
Juventus dreams of becoming a judge and aims to enhance justice delivery while serving as a role model for young people with disabilities.
He is currently mentoring a group of young deaf students interested in pursuing law, hoping to pave the way for future generations. What’s next for Lawyer Juventus? His next step is to complete his pupilage, after which he can decide further his legal career.
Profile
Dr. Christopher Baasongti Beyere …A visionary leader who triumphs through adversity
DR. Christopher Baasongti Beyere, the Member of Parliament-elect for Techiman South Constituency, is a trailblazing leader whose journey to political prominence is as inspiring as his contributions to health and education.
A man of resilience, intellect, and service, Dr. Beyere’s story exemplifies the triumph of determination and commitment over adversity.
A Multifaceted Leader with Transformative Achievements
Dr. Beyere’s professional and academic accomplishments are vast and impactful. He is a PhD holder in Global Health from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, where his research on motivation policies for Ghanaian health workers reshaped staff development strategies.
A man of interdisciplinary expertise, he also holds an MSc in International Health from Brandeis University, an MA in International Human Resource Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, and a BSc in Information Technology from Methodist University.
His academic journey culminated with an LLB from the University College of Science, Arts, and Education, the Gambia Law School, Banjul, making him a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of The Gambia, called to the Bar in November 2024.
Dr. Beyere’s work in the health sector has transformed Ghana’s healthcare landscape.
As Executive Secretary of the Health Training Institutions Secretariat, he spearheaded numerous initiatives, including upgrading post-basic programs to degree and master’s levels, introducing male midwifery training, and establishing the “Best Health Tutor Award” to motivate educators.
His efforts also led to the construction of a 75-bedroom guesthouse for principals of nursing training schools, showcasing his dedication to improving infrastructure and capacity for education.
In his role as Vice President of the University College of Science, Arts, and Education in Sunyani, Dr. Beyere has continued to champion educational innovation, ensuring that academic and non-academic functions align with the institution’s mission to nurture future leaders.
The Political Journey: Resilience and Triumph
Dr. Beyere’s political career has been marked by both challenges and victories. In the 2020 parliamentary election, his initial bid to represent Techiman South faced fierce resistance.
The election was fraught with controversy, culminating in a narrow defeat to Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who polled 49,682 votes against Dr. Beyere’s 49,205. The results were contested, leading to a protracted court case that added to the emotional toll of the loss.
However, Dr. Beyere’s resilience never wavered. With renewed vigor, he returned to the political arena in 2024, determined to serve his people. This time, he secured a decisive victory, polling 44,986 votes across 282 polling stations, surpassing his perennial opponent, Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, who garnered 43,730 votes.
His triumph was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the people of Techiman South, who recognized his vision and trusted his leadership.
A Leader of Compassion and Vision
Dr. Beyere’s political success is rooted in his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. During his time at the Gambia Law School in Banjul, he was beloved by his colleagues for his humility and sense of camaraderie. These qualities have endeared him to his constituents, who see in him a leader committed to their welfare.
Beyond his political and professional achievements, Dr. Beyere has consistently demonstrated a passion for empowering others. His initiatives in education and healthcare, coupled with his international collaborations, underscore his dedication to creating opportunities and driving sustainable development.
A Future of Hope and Progress
As he takes his place in Parliament, Dr. Beyere is poised to bring transformative leadership to Techiman South. His vision for the constituency includes advancing healthcare, education, and infrastructural development while fostering a sense of unity and purpose among his people.
Dr. Christopher Baasongti Beyere’s journey—from overcoming electoral challenges to becoming a symbol of hope and progress—is a shining example of what perseverance and dedication can achieve. With his wealth of experience, both locally and internationally, he stands ready to champion the aspirations of his constituents and contribute to Ghana’s growth.
