Motherhood is a beautiful experience and for most women its a role they love to play for the rest of their lives.
(Take your mum for instance, aren't you amazed at how much she loves you and takes care of you even at your age??) Some of the world's greatest women are mothers including your mum, Queen Elizabeth, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Christine Amanpour and many more
Being a mother whiles juggling it with other roles can be tough for any woman especially the 21st-century African woman.
Traditional gender roles alone have boxed most women into perceived stereotypes which has affected their potential and contribution to society. Mothers in most economies hold the biggest purchasing power yet are sidelined economically through several factors including corruption, government policies and patriarchal systems
As we bring Women’s Month 2020 (this year was under the theme “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights” #EachForEqual) to a close and usher in the new month of April, we shine the light on 14 Ghanaian women who are revolutionising what it means to be a mother in Today’s world. Often breaking the rules, shaping their world and charting a path no one has ever walked; this can be very scary yet they brave the odds and do the motherhood thing in their own style.
These women are not allowing society to dictate how high they can fly or the sacrifices they make for their children to live in a better world and for that we celebrate them.
Meet our 14 iconic Ghanaian mothers who inspire us
Nisirine Naa Ashorkor Mensa Doku
Naa Ashorkor, 31, is a young mother of two boys and as a broadcaster/activist, she’s not only combined her role so well but also used her platforms to initiate a conversation on maternal health, postpartum issues, feeding and many others.
Naa is a passionate mother and we see how she tries to hide them from the public eye as well as partner with brands that cater to new mums.
From Naa, we learn that motherhood isn’t perfect or a race. Her advice to mums is simple: “Moms get tired too! Take a break when your body and mind tells you that you’re stressed.”
She holds a Law Degree from the University of Ghana and is an alumnae of the Ghana Institute of Journalism
Velma Owusu-Bempah
Velma Owusu-Bempah is a mother of two beautiful daughters: Alethea and Aislyn. She juggles the role of mother with her full time job as Creative director of a women’s accessory brand, Velma’s Millinery and Accessory.
According to Velma, it’s not an easy role but she manages to pull through because she’s found the right balance as bot roles bring her joy.
In her own words, she couldn’t achieve her career goals and be a successful mum without the help of her husband who has been very supportive and cheers on.
Velma holds a B.SC in marketing from the University of Ghana and a product of the renowned Central St. Martin’s College where she studied millinery.
Ophelia Crossland
Ophelia Okyere-Darko is a Ghanaian fashion designer and the Creative Director of Ophelia Crossland Designs Ltd and Ohemaa Kids, a kid’s clothing line inspired by her first daughter, Ohemaa Okyere-Darko.
Ophelia Crossland was named as one of the 74 most inspiring Ghanaians by “Those Who inspire Co”
She has made clothes for prominent personalities including the former Speaker of Parliament, Joyce Bamford-Addo, the First Female Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Woods, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Gifty Anti, and Joselyn Dumas.
As a mother, she prides herself in teaching her daughters to be bold, assertive, creative and kind. She calls them her ‘two angels’. For her, she’s learnt to be a great mother because she learnt from the best, her mum, Mrs Sarah Crossland of Sarah’s Fabrics.
Ophelia Crossland is a graduate of one of the Prestigious fashion schools in Ghana, Vogue Style School of Fashion and Design and completed with an Award of being the Most Outstanding student in the year 2004.
Lucy Quist
Lucy Quist, née Afriyie, 46, is a Ghanaian-British business and technology executive and a proud mother of 3 children; two boys and a girl. Lucy Quist was the first Ghanaian woman CEO of a telecommunication company, Airtel Tigo.
She trained as an electrical and electronic engineer and transitioned into other fields. Quist is the receiver of several awards and honours for her roles that brought growth into the Telecommunications industry. She is also the author of a best-selling book, The Bold New Normal and is currently a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley in its London office.
Quist does all this whiles maintaining a firm role as a mother, ensuring to their health, educational and emotional needs of her 3 kids. It might not be easy but she does such a stellar job.
About her successes, she says: “My family means everything to me. They are always right there behind me egging me on and always there to catch me when I need to be caught.
#TheBoldNewNormal book could not have happened without them. I thank God for sending me the right family just for me!”
She has also been engaged on the public speaking circuit at events such as the Mobile World Congress, Hogan Lovells African Forum 2017, Pan African Women Forum, TEDxEuston, Wharton Africa Business Forum, the Sanford C. Bernstein Center for Leadership and Ethics Conference at Columbia Business School and the African Development Investment Convention.
Nana Ama Mcbrown
Felicity Ama Agyemang known in showbiz circles as Nana Ama McBrown is a Ghanaian actress, TV presenter and comedian.
She shot into the limelight for her role in the Tentacles TV series in the early 2000s. Later, she found mainstream success following her role in the Twi-language movie Asoreba.
Nana Ama Mcbrown who got married in 2016 to her long time fiancee, Maxwell Mensah was constantly under a barrage of attacks for her inability to give birth, a situation she said affected her greatly.
In 2019, she finally gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in Canada and she’s stepping into her role pretty well despite criticisms and attacks on her parenting style.
Nana Ama Mcbrown is also a Humanitarian pursuing so many activities through her Nana Ama Mcbrown Foundation.
Aisha Ayensu
Aisha Ayensu née Oboubi is a Ghanaian award-winning fashion designer who is known to have designed outfits and stage costumes for Beyonce, Genevieve Nnaji, Jackie Appiah and Sandra “Alexandrina” Don-Arthur. She is a young mother of 3 adorable kids; Khari, Zico and Yara. Juggling the roles of a mother, designer and wife can be daunting but she does it effortlessly.
Ayensu holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Ghana and a diploma from Joyce Ababio College of Design.
Gifty Anti
Ghanaian journalist and activist, Gifty Anti is a woman who inspires so many in every role she finds herself.
As a public figure and mother, she’s been vocal with her journey as a new mother and the struggles that comes with.
Oheneyere Gifty Anti is the wife of the King of Edumasa and an alumnus of the Ghana Institute of Journalism. She’s also a published author.
Sandra ‘Alexandrina’ Don-Arthur
Sandra Don-Arthur also known as Alexandrina in the showbiz industry is a professional makeup artist, Vlogger and Creative Director from Ghana.
She is the founder and C.E.O of Alexandrina makeup artistry, a Ghanaian makeup and beauty company that provides beauty services to women in Ghana.
She is a proud mother of two teenage kids, Xara and Christian and she’s described as a ‘modern and fun’ mother
She is also the co-founder of SICKLE STRONG WARRIORS FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization which seeks to raise awareness on sickle-cell and foster unity among sickle-cell patients in Ghana.
Alexandrina is the 2017 winner of the Ghana Makeup Awards and the first Ghanaian makeup artist to work at the New York Fashion Week.
Nana Aba Anamoah
Nana Aba Anamoah is TV and social media’s darling girl. An award-winning newscaster, Nana Aba loves to be a mother when she’s not telling crucial stories or questioning politicians.
Her beautiful relationship with her son, Jyotir Anamoah is one that warms the heart. The few times Nana Aba has spoken in an interview or an award platform has seen her dedicate the honours to her teenage son.
As a single mother, she’s braved all the odds to give her son the life he deserves whiles shattering every glass ceiling in her field.
Nana holds a degree from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration where she graduated in banking and finance, an MBA and certificates from the Harvard Business School.
Nana Aba is currently the acting General manager of GHONE television.
Gifty Bingley
Gifty Osei-Boakye Bingley is a mother, wife, brand & external relations strategy executive, PR guru and Senior Communications Officer.
Gifty who is a new mother after giving birth twin boys last year juggles this role with her high ranking role at the African Union as well as mother to her first son. How she does it?? She has a strong support system made up of her young sister, husband and tribe of girlfriends.
Gifty has held several positions at the British High Commission, TV3, Airtel Tigo and the A.U.
Bingley holds double Masters’ Degrees in Political Communication from the University of Leeds, and Development Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Menaye Donkor
Menaye Donkor Muntari is a former beauty queen, entrepreneur, an international model and philanthropist.
She has graced a number of covers with her face including the New African Woman, Pompey Life, SportsWeek (La Gazetta dello sport), Canoe Magazine and Maxim Italy.
She is a mother of two adorable kids, Jamal Krasie Muntari and her daughter, Jamila Bema Muntari who she had in late 2019.
Unlike most SWAG’s, Menaye hasn’t lived up to the stereotypical tag of being a Stepford Wife.
Menaye is also the franchise owner of the Miss Universe pageant in Ghana, founder of SHEY BY MENAYE, and the C.E.O of an Estate Company.
She holds a degree in Business and Marketing from York University.
Claudia Lumor
Claudia Kwarteng Lumor is the editor of Glitz Africa Magazine, Glitz Fashion Week, Style Awards and a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.
Claudia is the mother of 3 kids; a girl and two boys who are her source of pride and joy. She religiously shares her motherhood journey and the life of her kids on social media.
A positive thinker, she’s constantly speaking words of encouragement into their lives. How can we forget the sweet family trips, lunch, school pictures and end year of family pictures she shares on the gram.
Before leaving the U.K to start a family in Ghana, she worked as a banker with Santander Bank UK and Stanbic Bank
A hard worker with focus and determination, she’s the award recipient of British Council’s Young creative entrepreneur of the year and listed as part of Ghana’s 100 Most Influential Women
She is a graduate of Kwame Nkrumah University with a B.A in Economics and Law. She also studied Corporate Finance Law at Westminster Law School in London.
Akosua Vee
Fashion blogger, PR girl and personal/celebrity stylist, Akosua A.V Bannerman welcomed her mini-me in 2018 and its inspired her creativity. Her style, career and life outlook has taken an astronomical lift since she welcomed April Obeng in London. As a creative, she’s used her blog to inspire other pregnant women and mothers to find their style and look stunning.
She’s a product of the Regent University College and as styled the likes of Claudia Lumor, Doreen Andoh, Nana Ama Mcbrown and Kafui Danku
Vanessa Sullivan Gyan
Vanessa Gyan is a media personality, activist, founder of the Sincerely Vee show/foundation and social entrepreneur. Gyan is the daughter of late Osibisa keyboardist, Kiki Gyan.
Shortly after giving birth to her son, Aaron, she started the The Post Pregnancy Boujie Express, a community dedicated to educating & embracing the journey of motherhood.
She is also the C.E.O of Modern-Day Mom and named WaterAid Ghana WASH Ambassador by Water Aid.
She strives to impact society through maternal health awareness initiatives, donations to mothers, conversations around post-partum depression.
She has degrees in Television & Radio Communications and Public Relations from Brooklyn College