Linda Dede Nyanya Godji | April 18, 2022
News Brief
Doris Deku is a 29-year-old junior high school graduate who lives in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. She is one of the few women who install tiles in Ghana. But her journey from food vendor to professional tile installer has been tough. Along the way, Ms. Deku received a lot of discouraging words from her friends, the community, and even some family members. But none of them distracted her from pursuing her dream. Ms. Deku says that the secret of her success is ignoring these kinds of comments. She enjoys her current profession, which she says is enviable. Ms. Deku advises youth, and especially young women, that the construction sector offers many opportunities that could change their lives. She says that working in the construction industry should not be left to men because women can do just as well, if not better.
This story is part of a series called Stars in the Field, produced as part of the Young Women in TVET project. Through this series, we will profile women working in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Ghana. While not a typical “Farmer story,” we think these profiles can inspire your listeners and start a conversation about traditional and non-traditional jobs for men and women in your community.
Doris Deku holds her shovel firmly and bends over to mix tile paste. She takes the paste to a room where she is fitting floor tiles in a client’s house. Ms. Deku says she is 100 per cent convinced that choosing a career in tile installation is the best decision she ever made in her life.
She explains, “I wanted to be a lawyer, but my parents died early and so I couldn’t even pursue senior high school education. But I am very proud of what I do now.”
Ms. Deku is a 29-year-old junior high school graduate who lives in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. She is one of the few women who install tiles in Ghana. But her journey from food vendor to professional tile installer has been tough.
Along the way, Ms. Deku received a lot of discouraging words from her friends, the community, and even some family members. But none of them distracted her from pursuing her dream.
Ms. Deku says: “Others told me that tile installation is not for ladies and that it is too difficult for a woman to do. Many said that I would not be able to stand the pressure and the hard work that comes with it.”
She adds: “They cited examples where male colleagues gave up this kind of work after three to four years of training. So they questioned how I would make it in this profession where even men quit.”
Ms. Deku says that the secret of her success is ignoring these kind of comments. She enjoys her current profession, which she says is enviable.
She explains: “I was first introduced to tile installation by a non-governmental organization called Youth Inclusive Entrepreneurial Development Initiative for Employment, or YIEDIE, in 2016 when it organized a series of training sessions for youth in all aspects of construction.”
Ms. Deku’s determination to excel in tile installation was so strong that, when she was undergoing her training, she registered her company—which is called Ansadee Ventures—with the Registrar General’s Department of Ghana.
She explains, “I had a strong conviction that soon after training, I would secure contracts for tile installation.”
Ms. Deku successfully completed her training three years ago and has been working as a professional tile installer ever since.
And she is already making strides. She says that, at the beginning, getting male clients was difficult. Men didn’t believe that she could excel at installing tiles until they saw her work.
She has now secured contracts with an estate development company, and gets many referrals from her previous work.
Thanks to tile installation, Ms. Deku’s dream of becoming successful in life despite not being able to complete her education has become a reality.
She says, “I have saved a lot of money. Currently I have my personal account and another for my company. I am proud of myself. My job now has a positive impact on my life.”
She adds, “I am so happy because now I can afford the best school for my daughter. I am able to support my family and I see myself as a mentor to many young ladies who look up to me.”
Ms. Deku advises youth, and especially young women, that the construction sector offers many opportunities that could change their lives. She says that working in the construction industry should not be left to men because women can do just as well, if not better.
Ms. Deku has received several awards for her work, including the Ghana Chamber of Construction’s Most Distinguished and Inspiring Artisan of the Year for 2020-2021.
She is also the current ambassador for the Artisan Association of Ghana and has had many opportunities to share her experience with women’s entrepreneurial groups in Ghana and Rwanda.
Ms. Deku says: “I am determined to continue working hard. I am ready to train a lot more women in this sector if they avail themselves. Currently, I employ seven male workers who are working under me, and I am training about sixteen others. Eleven of the trainees are young girls.”
This resource was produced as part of the Innovation in Non-traditional Vocational Education and Skills Training Project, INVEST, implemented by WUSC with funding from Global Affairs Canada.
Photo: Doris Deku and her trainees. Photo courtesy of Doris Deku.