Profile
Business Leaders Award a motivation to do more — Mrs Bella Ahu
Mrs Bella Ahu is the Chief Executive Officer of Trafix Catering Services with decades of experience in the hospitality and catering industry.
Her outfit aims to promote local and continental dishes and create employment for the youth.
She was honoured at the 3rd Business Leaders Awards held in Accra recently for the significant impact she continued to make towards the growth of the industry while delivering excellent services to her numerous clients.
Apart from serving the public with tasty meals, she had over the years instituted cooking competition among students and practitioners to help promote consumption of local dishes.
Hundreds of traditional caterers and hospitality students have also benefited from the smart culinary training programmes she offered nationwide.
Speaking to The Spectator on her latest achievement, Mrs Ahu, dedicated the honours to her hardworking staff and loyal customers, adding that the recognition would spur her on to “do more.”
She said although the global pandemic had affected many businesses, the hospitality industry, just like other businesses, was regaining momentum, and that little did she knew that such an honour would be bestowed on her.
“I believe the Grace of God and other proactive measures have sustained us and we will continue to give off our best to the general public like we have always done,” she noted.
Challenges
Mrs Ahu did not disclose how much she had lost due to the impact of COVID-19 but said, she was compelled to realign her staff and operations so she could remain in business.
“We lost some clients and staff but as the situations are beginning to normalise, we will get back on our feet. I had 69 workers but had to lay off 60 and work with only nine staff.”
“The disruptions caused by the disease had also caused some restaurants to rely on delivery services,” she said.
Mrs Ahu was impressed by the steps taken by government to support small and medium scale businesses that have been worse hit by the COVID-19.
Education
Mrs Ahu attended Takoradi and Ho Polytechnics from 1976 to 1980 where she trained to become a caterer.
She subsequently embarked on other entrepreneurial training programmes before she obtained post graduate Diploma in Business Management from the Oxford University in the United Kingdom (UK).
She established Trafix Catering Limited at the National Theatre, Accra in 1983 having served in other capacities as the Assistant Matron.
In 2001, she set up Cook Ghana, a non-governmental organisation to champion the course of traditional caterers and to create awareness on standard hygienic food preparation and the national value of Ghanaian dishes.
Mrs Ahu holds executive advisory positions in some institutions including the Ghana Toursim Federation (GHATOT). She was the past President of the Institute of Hospitality, Ghana, and also been executive member of Ghana Association of Women Entrepreneurs (GAWE).
She continues to be an inspiration and a role model to the young girl children and encourages them to live decent lives and pursue their dreams.
She had been adjudged the Ghana Business Chamber ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2017 and regularly publishes articles on indigenous food in Ghana. One of her prominent recent articles is titled “Is Ghana losing Her food culture?
She served on various tourism related committees such as world Tourism Day Planning Committee (2009) and had been a member of the National Tourism Policy Committee in 2006.
Mrs Ahu said she was open for partnerships at her Hospitality Centre of Excellence at Prampram where she trains individuals and corporate bodies in cake decoration, pastry and cuisine making.
Trafix Catering Services which began 35 years ago with the aim of producing quality meal has trained a lot of people in the hospitality sector.
Hobbies
Mrs Bella Ahu likes reading .
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Profile
Prisca Abah: Ghana’s modelling powerhouse
Ghanaian model, philanthropist and advocate, Prisca Abah, who is known for her contributions to the fashion industry, is strutting her stuff on higher levels.
She was recently selected as one of the models for the Big8 Girls Project, an initiative by Clinton Samuel to celebrate influential African models.
The project consisted of three episodes: the Bio Shoot which highlighted Abah’s professionalism through a corporate-themed photoshoot; Afrodeity which focused on showcasing her confidence and artistry, celebrating the African divine feminine and royalty which presented Abah as a symbol of African cultural pride, embodying strength and elegance.
The Big8 concept, produced by Clinton Samuel, intentionally highlights and celebrates the strongest and most influential models on the African continent, congratulating their steadfastness and contributions to the African fashion industry, even as they grind and win in other aspects of life.
The Big8 sets hierarchy and high standards in the African fashion and modelling industry, crowning eight of them with the ‘Top Model’ status as the leading female models in Ghana at the moment.
“Working with these fiery women will surely ignite more creative minds and stir the pot of positive competition,” said Clinton.
Abah’s early life and career
Prisca Abah began her modelling career in 2013, achieving her first notable milestone in 2014 with an editorial shoot for 5-Star International Modelling Agency. In 2015, she made her runway debut at the Ghana Fashion Awards.
From 2016 to 2018, Abah participated in major African fashion events such as Glitz Africa Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Johannesburg, and Rhythms on the Runway.
During this period, she received accolades, including the “Best Female Model of the Year” and spoke as a UN Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 12 at the Sustainable Rice Platform Conference.
International recognition and pageantry
In 2022, Abah expanded her reach by entering the pageantry world. She placed as the first runner- up at the Beauty of Africa International Pageant and represented Ghana at the Miss Globe World Finals, where she earned the title of Miss Globe Africa 2022.
Philanthropy
Abah founded the Palins Foundation, a non-profit organisation, aimed at empowering women and youth through initiatives in education, skills training, and personal development.
Awards and collaborations
In 2023, Abah received the Best Model of the Year award at the Time Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards. She has collaborated with leading designers such as Charlotte Prive and Ejiro Amos Tafiri, further solidifying her influence in African fashion.
Legacy
Prisca Abah is recognised not only for her contributions to the fashion industry but also for her philanthropic efforts. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young Africans, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while giving back to society.
By Edem Mensah Tsortorme
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.
