Mary Adjoa Owusu

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“I am Mary Adjoa Owusu. I was born in 1961 in the central region of Ghana. I am focused and resilient. Growing up, I have always loved causes that save the earth from pollution.

“Having worked in the mainstream corporate environment as a human resources professional for almost 30 years, I quit my job to work full-time as a handicraft artisan, specifically in wood crafts. Initially, I faced challenges trying to find my foothold in the industry. Two-and-a-half years later, I am glad that I made that move, because with each challenge I moved closer to fulfilling my personal goal.

“I learned some of this craft during a vacation in Johannesburg. I am self-taught, and also did a lot of research on the internet. I also sourced information from experienced people.

“Having to deal with a number of clients, one day I experienced a funny situation where I had scheduled a meeting with a client and I only realized I had half of a pair of shoes in the car when I got to the client's carport. I had put my shoes in the car the night before, because I needed to leave quite early in the morning. I walked to the car in my flip-flops the next morning, not realizing that my dog had taken the other shoe. I had to attend this high-profile meeting in my flip-flops! I shared my story with the attendees of the meeting, and they thought it was funny.

“My plan is to increasingly use reusable and recycled materials, creating more pieces and educating people about the creation and sale of my handicrafts. I also want to impact the livelihoods of needy youths by involving them in my craft.

“I use materials like wood, glue, and glass to create mirrors, tables, and other items. I once attended the Ghana Flower and Garden Show in 2016, where I sold my crafts for the first time. The feedback that I received inspired me to create more handicrafts. My dream is to make the world a better place with my art. I hope to have a wonderful relationship with NOVICA.”