Profile
Celebrating excellence …some female African doctors making impact
It is said that we should believe in our dreams because they have been given to us for a reason and that if we have a heartbeat, there is still time for our dreams.
In this edition, we highlight the stories of some female African medical practitioners who have worked hard to achieve their dreams and continue to leave a trail in their respective fields.
Dr Elizabeth Itotia
The 29-year-old is Kenya’s first female Radiopharmacist also referred to as Nuclear Pharmacist, a pharmacy professional speciality mainly tasked with preparing radioactive drugs in a safe and quality way. These drugs are used for the diagnosis of various diseases, mainly cancer.
Her position came after years of excelling in a demanding male-dominated field.
Dr Itotia obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Nairobi (UoN), which took her five years to complete. She graduated as the valedictorian (best overall student in the entire university) in the class of 2017.
Being a valedictorian, she secured a fully-sponsored scholarship by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to study Radiopharmacy at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in South Africa, which she recently completed.
“My journey in the radiopharmacy world has been interesting as it completes my world. Growing up, I wanted to be in the medical field, mainly to make difference for people with cancer,” Dr Itotia said.
She is a Radiopharmacist/Nuclear Pharmacist at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital.
Dr Mumtaaz Emeran
The 27-year-old is a South African born Medical Doctor and Philanthropist.
At a young age, she befriended a bad crowd. At age 16, she was pregnant and gave birth prematurely.
“My son was born prematurely and spent two months in the neonatal intensive-care unit. It made me realise I had to take care of him. From that very moment I decided to turn my life around,” Dr Emeran said.
She relocated from Cape Town to Joburg to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, despite the disapproval in her community.
Dr Emeran worked part-time jobs so she could pay her medical school fees at Wits University.
In 2020, few weeks before her graduation, she received an email from the University notifying her that she would not graduate until she had paid off all her outstanding fees.
She shared the devastating news with her Instagram followers in a five-minute video where she explained that she was in desperate need of assistance. The video went viral, South Africans were touched by her story and helped to fundraise the full amount in 24hours.
Dr Emeran is currently doing her internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Dr Helena Ndume
She is a Namibian born award-winning Ophthalmologist and Humanitarian, notable for her charitable work among sufferers of eye-related illnesses in Africa. To date, she has performed sight-restoring surgeries on 35,000 Namibians, completely free of charge.
“There’s no money in this world that can pay the joy of someone who was blind for so many years and then suddenly they regain their vision,” Dr. Ndume said.
Her motivation to serve those less fortunate than her stems from the civil unrest that she witnessed as a child. She was forced to flee her homeland at the age of 15, and lived in Zambia, Gambia (where she completed secondary school), and Angola, before attending medical school in Germany and returned to Namibia after obtaining her Medical degree.
Dr. Ndume is currently the Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia’s largest hospital.
In 2009, she was honoured with a humanitarian award by the NRCS for her work in restoring sight to those blinded by cataracts. In 2015, she became one of the first recipients of the United Nations Nelson Mandela Prize. In 2018, she was listed as one of BBC’s 100 WOMEN.
Dr Qinisile Diale
She is the Founder and Medical Director of Family Matters, the first female-owned Fertility Clinic in South Africa, Centurion, Pretoria.
The South African born Gynaecologist, Obstetrician and Fertility Specialist, affectionately called Dr Q by her patients, enjoys interacting with other women and is immensely excited by the thought of alleviating other women’s pain and struggles in conceiving.
She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Kwazulu-Natal. She completed her internship at Witbank Hospital, rotating in the various medical departments.
She then went on to complete her community service year in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department. It was during this time that she felt drawn to the field of women’s health and went on to obtain her Postgraduate Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
She then worked at Pretoria West Hospital as a Medical Officer and trained as an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at the University of Pretoria and obtained her qualification as a specialist in 2015, through the Colleges of Medicine South Africa.
Dr Veronica Moshokgo
The Botswana born Medical Doctor, Public Health Clinician, is the Founder and Medical Director at Health Express Clinic – a private medical clinic that focuses on disease prevention and wellness.
She holds a Master of Public Health – MPH, MSc from Imperial College London, Fellowship in Public Management from The Ohio State University, Post-graduate Diploma in HIV/AIDS Management and Social Sciences from Stellenbosch University, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) from the University of the West Indies and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Botswana.
Dr Moshokgo practises as a Medical Officer at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital. She is a co-founder and vice-chairperson of Bound by Love, a charity organisation which provides mentorship and academic essentials to underprivileged students.
By Spectator Reporter
Additional files – Women Power Africa
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.
