Profile
Modelling with purpose: Supermodel Anita Ofori inspires young girls
Women and girls are encouraged to find their purpose in life, muster courage to pursue it, overcome the various hurdles along the line and go out of their way to impact positively on the lives of others.
The ones who are able to defy the odds and make positive strides in the lives of others are worth attention and The Spectator, therefore casts its lens on Ms Anita Ofori; one of such outstanding women.
Having carved a niche for herself in the modelling industry over the last decade, she is embarking on a purposeful journey of training young girls to build their confidence and pursue their goals.
As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Red Vogue Agency, an outfit for Events Management, Model or Talent Management, Pageant Grooming and Mentorship, Anita Ofori; one of Ghana’s finest supermodels is working assiduously to mentor young girls in basic etiquette among others.
Mission
Anita says she is passionate about girls and women empowerment and would do the little she can to “push young girls to achieve their goals in life.”
She said that her mission was “to educate young girls to appreciate their true value and worth as women. To understand their role in society and build their confidence with the objective of facing every challenge associated with achieving their personal goals.”
“I want to see young girls and women empowered in various aspects of their lives such as in education, work, family, reproductive health, human rights and empowered to make their own decisions about their careers, financial independence and freely impact society in their own way.” I envision women uplifted and given equal opportunities in life.
“This aim is achieved through education, empowerment sessions, training, support, mentorship and advocacy. Also, since I work in the beauty industry and have got empowered through beauty, I organise grooming for beauty pageants”, she said.
Foundation
Ms Anita Ofori through her foundation (The Anita_ Foundation) centres on girls empowerment in Senior High Schools, trains them through attitudinal change on determination to focus on their education and vocations.
“I do this through education, empowerment sessions, training, support, mentorship and advocacy” she noted.
The Anita_Foundation envisions embarking on programmes to support street girls, and a project against child prostitution.
Modelling deals
Her recent pageant Miss Supermodel Worldwide, held in India in 2018, has participated also in both national and international modeling specifically, runway, commercial and editorial.
She has participated and won several beauty pageants both nationally and internationally and worked with brands like Samsung, Vlisco among others.
She has won some awards including; Editorial and Commercial Model of the Year 2020, Top Model of the Year 2021, Overall Model of the Year 2021and attended UN Women Empowerment Conference in Geneva.
Projection
With so much talents, beauty, vision and passion in the modelling industry, modelling in Ghana has great potentials and amazing future not just for models alone but for the creative arts industry and Ghanaian economy as a whole if the industry is managed well.
She therefore, hopes for a better government, corporate community engagement to create a conducive environment for the modelling industry to strive.
Again, she is of the view that,” model agents and agencies must also look beyond their own personal gains but work hard to protect and project the image of the models they represent”.
The aforementioned, she says, would pave the way for creative minds inventing great ideas and projects to attract more international collaborations and investments.
“If models unite with a common voice and respect for one another, protect one another’s interest, the modeling industry in Ghana would be a great force to reckon with” Anita Ofori, noted.
Advice
To Anita, beauty goes beyond just a pretty face and holds the view that models must be selective, cautious, hard working, determined, creative and above all dynamic, but they should invest in themselves and take education seriously.
“They must have strong and firm moral values because that is what will take them far.
Some of my core values that I also encourage the youth to take up include patience, humility, honesty, hardwork, courage, determination and perseverance.”
“I see a young, vibrant creative generation taking the modeling industry by storm”. She said.
Background
Anita Ofori is a staunch Christian, an entrepreneur, a gender and social activist and hails from Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana. She has two brothers, two sisters and a beautiful daughter.
She holds Master of Arts Degree in Development Communication from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with Religion from the University of Ghana; she had her secondary education at the University Practice Senior High School in Cape Coast, in the Central Region.
Anita enjoys travelling, dancing, watching movies and loves listening to good or intellectual conversations. She loves fufu with goat soup, and rice dish.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
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.
