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Ms Prinsca Godoh, adding professional touch to auto spraying

The limited job opportunities in the world is fast eroding the notion that some professions are the preserve of men.
It is interesting to note that, women have ventured into more daring professions to prove a point that what men can do, women are capable of doing.
By dint of hard work and perseverance, women have turned engineers, medical doctors, painters, exquisite artists, renowned academicians, bus drivers, pilots and top-notch professionals among others.
Following the example of such women, 28-year-old Ms Prinsca Akorfa Godoh, a native of Ve Gbordome in the Volta Region who had developed a passion for auto spraying, enrolled at the Xorlali Spraying Shop at Adentan, Accra to learn the trade.
Ms Godoh said her mother readily gave her blessings when she sought her consent to learn the trade. “If that is what you intend to do, then l have no objection,” she said.
According to Ms Godoh, the man from whom she learnt the trade encouraged her to remain focused on the job because there was a lady apprentice who had enrolled and was doing pretty well before she joined.
She admitted that, though the trade looked very simple and attractive, learning it was not as easy as one would have thought. The task to sandpaper a car was one of the most difficult aspects of the trade which nearly put her off.
Ms Godoh described how an automobile sprayer has to apply filler paste on the rugged surfaces of a car, sandpaper it after which putty was applied.
She said the application of putty at this stage of the work was basically to help fill the minor holes which were left on the car.
She explained that different sizes of sandpaper were used at different stages of the preparation process to make the final spraying look smooth and nice.
Having finished this stage, the car would be washed to clean dust that might have percolated on it. The sprayer would then go ahead to cover parts of the car, which were made of glass and rubber with paper to make way for the first spraying.
Ms Godoh said the car would be checked again to find out if there were any potholes left and fill them before the final spraying would be carried out.
She said she was surprised about the high commendation she received after the successful completion of her first spraying job. The car owner was exceedingly glad about the professional touch she had applied to her work.
Apprenticeship
The young sprayer intimated that she commenced her apprenticeship in 2008 when she was only 16 years old.
Ms Godoh said she completed her apprenticeship after three- and-a – half years, opened a shop at Frafraha on the Adentan -Dodowa road, and has since trained three people, while two apprentices are under training.
Diversification
“Unlike the sale of food which demands that people should purchase every day, my work does not follow in that line. There are times that the job comes in series and there are times that one becomes idle with no work to be done,” she said.
Being innovative in her approach to work and ever ready to seize any opportunity whenever possible, Ms Prinsca Godoh has opened a shop where she sells paints for spraying cars, but ends up using the paints more for her work.
She said she had added the sale of cooked rice, beans, banku and akple to occupy herself whenever there was no job.
Plans
Ms Godoh said her desire was to own a spraying booth where quality spraying or good work would be done. She said quality product was that which kept many renowned entrepreneurs in business over the years.
Additionally, she would like to train more capable hands to be in charge of the job while she stepped back to assume a supervisory role in the future.
Her advice to the youth especially the girls, is that, they should try their hands on other jobs and work hard to achieve heights their intellect would permit them.
Education
Although Prinsca completed the Vedeme Local Authority Elementary School, she could not continue her education because she lost her father when she was a baby. Unfortunately, her mother, a single parent, could not support her.
Social Life
Prinsca who is the third and last child of her parents, attends the Pentecost Church, Adentan, Ewe Assembly and she is devoted to serving God.
Her hobbies include cooking, doing household chores, dancing and listening to good music. She likes boiled rice with cabbage stew.

By Raymond Kyekye

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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.

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“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.

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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

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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

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Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana’s first deaf Lawyer

• Juventus Duorinaah Esq.
• Juventus Duorinaah Esq.

 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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