Designer and educator, Constance Elizabeth Swaniker was born on August 30th, 1973, in Accra, Ghana.  She spent her primary years in Zimbabwe and The Gambia and for A levels she went to Accra Academy before enrolling at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sculpture in 1999.   Whilst still in university she apprenticed at Art Deco Ltd in the carpentry department, and upon completion, set up her own company Accents and Art Ltd.

Partnering with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ashesi University, Ho Technical University and Takoradi Technical University, her company has provided opportunities, internships and apprenticeships to over 500 youths.

Swaniker founded the Design and Technical Institute in March 2016 and the institute’s focus was to bridge the gap between industry and academia.  Doing a job that is predominantly undertaken by men, Swaniker hopes to encourage more women to take up roles that are traditionally male dominated.

Her works have been exhibited locally and globally, in Nigeria and the UNESCO Head office in Paris, France.  She has also been the recipient of numerous awards including The Network Journal Africa 40 under 40 Achievement Award (2010), Best Entrepreneur (2010), Metal Product of the Year Award, (2013) and was the regional country winner of Africa’s Most Influential Women in Leadership and Governance Award,(2013)  Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government, (2017) Ghana Manufacturing Award, (2018)

Reference: Wikipedia