LIVING IN GHANA | 78 YEAR OLD BUILDS A $45,000 HOUSE IN GHANA OUT OF RAFFIA PALM

Ophelia Akiwumi* was born in Ghana but has lived in many places throughout her life including the UK, Nigeria, Geneva and more! She has now settled back in Ghana and discusses what she loves most about Ghana. Ophelia has build an experimental home in Accra using Raffia Palm. We find out what made her decide to build this house and the cost aswell as seeing the beautiful interiors using furniture from her company Art Deco. Ophelia also has a Cafe called the Orangery in Accra.
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Filmed by Cobbie Brent
Edited by Vanessa Kanbi & Cobbie Brent
🕰 Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Opheila’s life story
5:54 - Why Ophelia built with Raffia palm
7:40 -The building process
9:47 - The price
11:15 - Why do you enjoy living in Ghana?

[@VanessaKanbi]

WATCH THE FULL HOUSE TOUR HERE - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZi0p4J-r6ylm9U

[@sugarsugar8127]

is she related to augustus molade akiwumi,the second speaker of parliament of gh?

[@motivateme1836]

I think you should bring her back to talk about what she does to keep her soo gorgeous at 78.

[@subuolathompson6662]

@@sugarsugar8127and

[@TheButta85]

Please! Is there a way i can get the young lady's details. Ive just recently purchased land in Sierra Leone and i want to creat a home completely different from the norm and ive research this for past 2 years but cant find anyone here in SL to assist or understands my vision

[@brendajohnson1]

78 years old, is unbelievable. She's sophisticated, brilliant, beautiful and incredibly stylish. Wow, thanks for sharing. She is a Legend! 🙏 🌹

[@1ladymari]

I'd also love to look that good at 78 yrs young!

[@brendajohnson1]

@@1ladymari You and I both! 💕🌹

[@jacquelinescott2659]

This home is absolutely gorgeous and the owner has impeccable taste. I can’t believe such a structure can be erected for 45k and using all local materials. Hopefully, this will serve as a demonstration model for future development of housing sub-divisions. Seems so eco-friendly and a great generator of local craft and employment. As the owner said “ it’s a win, win.

[@estherstrategicadvisor749]

@Dancing Diva How much would it cost in US Dollars to build a simple structure of the same SIZE in Ghana🇬🇭? [Obviously the beauty would not be comparable though!]

[@dmac93065]

When she said, I’d rather live here rather than go somewhere else where everyone will look down on me and see me as a piece of trash. That resonated with me as an African American.

[@ijeonu2405]

No day passes without me feeling bad about leadership in africa. The look down on us Africans and African Americans is because of this.

[@erikamoss9266]

Same here!

[@MeMe-ht2hd]

Same. We are the only group who didn't want to be here in America. To this bias experiment called America.

[@MeMe-ht2hd]

Not going to lie if Africa had the accommodations of America i wouldn't be here.

[@DaaTwah]

Exactly, Ghana is a magical place of acceptance.

[@mmengistu]

This home is amazingly beautiful. She is so creative and insightful. In other words, she is so Afrikan.

[@everyroseenterprises2226]

💯

[@camellabazemore1034]

Lol 💯

[@Inga912]

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

She’s got some fire and wisdom and she is smart. I like that

[@tzunammi]

You just described the African woman in a nutshell...

[@indriadrayton1132]

I like this because some documentaries on Africa give the same backward, poverty, racist points of view. This beautiful Black woman is off the chain!

[@AriaPringle9053]

True

[@kimoykalinago4154]

Once again this content is of HIGHEST quality! The music, the editing, its just perfect. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 cant wait for part 2

[@Maybelater444]

I agree! It’s perfect!

[@lindaj7167]

This lady is a huge inspiration, yes she's special.

[@julievogel2490]

She is so right about what she saying. I wishe her all the best with her Training school..

[@lindaofori3914]

I can never understand anyone who dislikes such content, it is perfect and timely for me. Thank you Vanessa and Ophelia xx

[@Perfeccionista89]

You are not born to understand everyone. Everyone's likes and dislikes are based on each others upbringing and experience. Don't mind them sis. 👍🏾

[@Bianca.Nceeee]

Absolutely stunning just perfection her home is a work of art. I love how warm it is. I wish I had 10% of this queens creativity. She's a true diamond. And yes I would totally build a house with this gorgeous meterial. I wonder if its long lasting though and fire safety. But otherwise my god its just perfect

[@omifunkemccloud3362]

good questions. Website is listed. :-)

[@7thSonProductions]

I'd love to learn how to build with Raffia. I'd never heard nor seen it before. I'm building a small house now. It's with timber, but Raffia would be nice to experiment. Great Video!!!

[@anitadaniels189]

Wow, what a beautiful surprise to see my parents friend being Interviewed. She designed furniture for my parents home in the 70's. She's definitely very creative and an amazing cook. Thank you for featuring her. Last time I saw her was about 10 years ago when I was visiting Ghana.

[@shfin8329]

Beautiful house. Classy and artistic queen.

[@ttbrew47]

I would definitely live in a home like this. Its so beautiful and made from natural resources. I love her creativity and style. I would trust her to design and build my home.

[@VanessaKanbi]

Please subscribe and press the bell to be notified for part 2 where I will do a full house tour of Ophelia's experimental house. Feel free to write any questions you have under this comment and I will ask as many as possible. Thanks again for all your support!

[@livingfinance]

Awesome!! Please ask her questions about architecture/ design in Ghana and West Africa. Ask her what she thinks of the current state, if there are any improvements that need to be made and how to fill that talent gap. Also ask her about sustainable residential buildings and cost/affordability. She also mentioned opening a trades school...that’s amazing ask her what the challenges are and how she is intending to convince Ghanians that working with your hands can be just as lucrative as a desk job. Also being a Creative and designer, what does she thinks is the final frontier in African/Ghanaian designers and what can be done to gain more respect an for Africans to develop their own eye for design that isn’t just imitation of Western design.

[@livingfinance]

Please ask her where people can connect with her to also build similar homes made of raffia.

[@VanessaKanbi]

@@livingfinance in regards to your last message all her details are in the description. Thanks for all the other questions :)

[@livingfinance]

Also curious to know more about her and her journey and how Ghana has changed from then to now and what she thinks of young people of diaspora and local youth wanting to stay in Africa particularly in her field of design and how can design contribute to Ghana’s/west Africa’s development.

[@livingfinance]

@@VanessaKanbiThanks overzealous lol!! Can't wait for part 2.

[@DA-qz5rh]

Very interesting life story of this amazing woman. Her house looks soooo nice and very unique.

[@futureshocked]

"I have an excellent foreman" THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!!

[@Crob100]

This is NOT your typical 'grandmother's ' house. Beautifully designed, and chic. She built an entire home out of this material when I only envisioned an accent wall and ceilings. 😁

[@PatriciaAbijah]

You know

[@pamelan.6210]

Absolute beautiful. I'm extremely interested in possibly building in Ghana. Please email me at [e-mail] or on Facebook Pam nevels.

[@anjanaokwuma9128]

Yes, and furniture. No limit to the imagination. AMAZING. I would consider

[@priscamolotsi]

What a gorgeous house! And what a fabulous woman! Just love our older African women; they age with grace and dignity!❤️

[@MoorishBrooklyn]

Goodness gracious!!! This is melanated genius. Would love to see a tour, also hearing about the sturdiness, repair ability, sealing and protection from elements, etc of the local material.

[@nasto4u850]

will you like to visit mama Africa?

[@TwistedOnyx369]

57 years married to the same man. Good for her and him. Hopefully, it's a healthy and supportive union for both of them.

[@lilylily8711]

Does not take a genius to know

[@olubunmioluwaleye2160]

Whoever thumb down this amazing testimony and astonishing work must be from another planet.

[@faithhealingandself-care8972]

This home is beautiful! My former business partner is Ghanian and has land and plans to return to Ghana at retirement. I am sharing this with her.

[@MrBeenheredonethat]

Massive....spoke to her and she was really interesting...proud of my Ga lineage.

[@shevahmorris9132]

57 years of married to tha SAME MAN!.. lmbo on the emphasis

[@Sparkle-ey7iw]

It should be emphasized...this is very rare nowadays!

[@oluwaseyeakinbola7602]

@@Sparkle-ey7iw it’s rare because people get divorced for everything instead of working things out. I am pretty sure she had some tough roads in her relationship.

[@nothingisimpossibleyes5396]

Goals😍

[@leggyReid4c]

You are doing a great job Vanessa, giving exposure to great businesses in Ghana.

[@yeboahosei-kwabena5632]

She is very beautiful, she doesn't look her age at all. I think we need to consider alternatives materials for building such as this

[@grozdinapetrowic4323]

Ghanians!!!! Listen to this wise lady!☀️ 👏🏾

[@edmund6392]

This is the direction home building should follow in Africa! Gorgeous! Can not wait to see the whole home tour! And btw I love that you switched up the interview format ( deleting the questions and just leaving in the answers ). The music sets the mood, great production Vanessa!

[@ededdie2741]

I beg to differ concerning the interview format: it was quite monotonous (she spoke non-stop ) I would alternate with Vanessa's voice with the answers of the interviewee, lettering, or the classic Q/A. Apart from that, great content, top editing.

[@teddypoisebelle6]

100

[@marilynmillien-harris3702]

Actually, I like the new format as well with the background jazz music setting the mood!

[@bismarkadu8799]

Hi Vans , Akiwome is beautiful . Love how she is still a PanAfricanist in all her ways . Her place is gorgeous ❤

[@chasingthesun90]

Hi Vanessa could you do a video on someone whose traveling to Ghana over the new year for 2 weeks and wants to explore the city without night life being on the itinerary? Not much of a clubber here thanks

[@livingfinance]

She came from a generation where they went to West to acquire knowledge to return home and make it great, not to live abroad indefinitely, perhaps thats why.

[@ophini]

First it’s Akiwumi and not Akiwome! Yes she has lived and traveled across the globe not just in the west but as far away as Papua New Guniea and South America, the Caribbean and beyond.

[@FERESE]

@@ophini Akiwumi sounds familiar like the Yoruba "Akinwunmi". I can see how her exposure played out on the design. Simply beautiful!!!

[@LisaLisa-wu9rl]

@@FERESE Yes Yoruba, she must be Nigerian, born and raised in Ghana.

[@onibioh]

In a time when we are trying to protect the environment, she inspires me. I hope building with raffia palm provides an alternative to building homes sustainably. Great interview. Thanks.

[@AfricanEmpress01]

Lovely lady. Very creative home. We turn our hand to so many thinks, that's a blessing. 57years married, that is beautiful. My grand-parents were the same. It's a rarety to hear these days. Can wait to get married, pray God blesses me with someone very decent and we last a lifetime. It is ordained by the Most High. God Bless you Ophelia. Peace

[@gwendolynnoble5837]

I think the home is beautiful. I would definitely consider having one built. Thanks for presenting Ophelia Akiwome to us.

[@veronicakoppelman3325]

Me too. Building and buying a home has become unaffordable anywhere close to Accra. This is a good option. Thanks 💞

[@SamsJourney]

Loved hearing her story! And what a gorgeous house! Looking forward to seeing more videos! ❤️

[@mauriceedwardj8707]

Wow! She’s lived such an exciting and eventful life. I could listen to her talk all day.

[@stacika]

We can build so many homes to house the population with this material! More must think outside the box💯💯

[@livingfinance]

Would like to see more sustainably and tastefully designed and architectural homes that are affordable and that doesn’t look like concrete or poor imitations of villas in Europe/America. It would be nice.

[@stacika]

@@livingfinance I agree 100%!!

[@SiaLi-]

@@livingfinance yes yes!!

[@mpalmer7800]

True!! I always said that African ppl can build efficient homes with all the natural resources

[@stacika]

@@mpalmer7800 factsss🙌🏼

[@livingfinance]

Vanessa I can say that you are listening to your subscribers. I can't believe how quickly you came up with this video after my complaints about lack of architecturally designed/sustainable homes in Ghana/West Africa. That's amazing and that is why I like your content, you seem to take the constructive criticism, I can't wait to indulge in this video. At this rate, you will be at 100K in no time.

[@livingadopelife]

It’s never too late to do anything!!🙏🏾

[@reginaboateng-bonnah6388]

Wow.. I can sit and sip tea and listen to her all day and her home is beautiful! 💜

[@tspcocktail]

Absolutely delightful. This is sophisticated and timeless. I would definitely consider a raffia home. Help the community, source the material naturally in Ghana, cost effective and sturdy. Yes. Really enjoyed this presentation Vanessa.

[@kz-xv1ou]

Is it not the other way round? The community helps you source the material. The community knows and has been sourcing the material for a very long time.

[@tspcocktail]

@@kz-xv1ou very intuitive you are...exactly. would you like some tea?

[@kz-xv1ou]

@@tspcocktail i wouldn't mind. thanks.

[@tspcocktail]

@@kz-xv1ou then breakfast can wait. Ttfn

[@cyelgreen4655]

What an amazing adaptation of local product.

[@Nubianette]

Finally, a truly beautiful interior! What a beautiful lady! I would prefer a raffia home than the concrete blocks. I would wonder how well they hold up, and the maintenance.

[@godspromisesamuel5886]

Bless Her Heart, What a Beautiful woman, I can't Believe She's 78 unbelievable, Nice woman and very nice decor and Peaceful home.

[@kimkanor4414]

this woman is absolutely fabulous and that house - uh-mazing!

[@EmpressT5]

I would liv one of her designs i just bought a lot in Ghana and I definitely want her to design a home for me im in the US now

[@nasto4u850]

when are you coming

[@dorissmith6800]

My family owns some property in Louisiana I hope I can figure out some kind of great way I getting a house built on their property for all my family members all the tribe my family member so the property of my father left us we all could enjoy how can I find out $45,000 house would fit perfectly in all budget

[@nickyb5827]

This home is absolutely gorgeous!! I think that it is the best that I've seen in Ghana so far.

[@user-et8ek8im9s]

You’re growth and work rate in the last year since I’ve followed you has been amazing to see 🙌🏾

[@newyorknewart]

EXCELLENT PRODUCTION VALUES ON THIS ONE! SOFT LIGHTING, SMOOTH TRANSITIONS, CLEAR SOUND. A PROFESSIONAL GRADE INTERVIEW.

[@blackgirlsonfleek9598]

Yes, I totally agree. Very high quality this one!

[@saed-sq1kw]

AMAZING!!! I enjoyed her sincerity and wisdom. Do for self and not build up someone else's country, I totally agree with. Thank you for sharing.

[@riasammy1969]

Architectural Digest needs to profile this house, beyond beautiful. I am impressed, bravo Madam 👏 💝💝💝

[@georgesearcy9257]

This is one of the most beautiful natural homes I have ever seen. I have never saw another video anywhere else about using this type of material to build a home. Thank you for exposing us to such beauty and imagination.

[@VanessaKanbi]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@AnnaAcheampong]

Waauw this is a whole documentary ! 😍 beautiful video, great story and a lovely lady

[@edolanguageinstitute]

I absolutely love this!! I’ve never been a fan of „concrete jungles“. This is beautiful and eco-friendly. Love it! 💕

[@denisethompson1960]

Her talent and wisdom is an asset to Ghana. Traveled, Seasoned, Educated and willing to share and train. A blessed life for sure.

[@kukuaekuban997]

Why do you enjoy living in Ghana? That answer was just 👌🏻

[@EstherAivinhenyi]

Great visionary, this ecofriendly housing project is trending and common in Bali, smart concept ✊🏾

[@PatriciaAbijah]

Yes, that’s why what has put Bali on the map

[@EstherAivinhenyi]

@@PatriciaAbijah hence going forward, the new breed of Africans should be innovative in creating inspirational homes in AFRICA by sourcing ecofriendly and sustainable natural building materials like Bamboo and Raffia which are available in abundance in our Motherland, we need to step out of conventional building practices, a tip for African Architects with entrepreneurial spirit.✊🏾

[@PatriciaAbijah]

@@EstherAivinhenyi ✌🏾

[@gigiheritage5813]

@@EstherAivinhenyi Smart wits and unity will keep outsiders from profiting off of such beautiful ecofriendly resources, right their own back yard! What a venture!!

[@MenaEsy]

Let me leave here to go manifest such a house for myself😁😁🤣

[@fay8717]

Me too !

[@jmarieflowers]

Oh for real

[@lafete6863]

Love the energy 💯💯💯

[@Pennedhaus]

same here :)

[@ttbrew47]

I'm with you

[@umiiyabode]

I absolutely, ADORE this! My only trip to the Motherland was to Ghana in 2007, and I loved it. Thank you for sharing!

[@BrowncoatBlue]

Thank you, Vanessa! Always bringing us the goods! Another video I'll be saving. This material is beautiful! She seems like such a lovely person! I'd love a house like that 👍🏾

[@nyammodernvintage5367]

That is amazingly beautiful. WOW. I love the esthetic and everything about it!

[@verybrown1]

This is amazing. The design and the concept are ingenious.

[@GoddessBB]

So much in love with her home, she is so inspiring. Thanks for this video.

[@rk2258]

Vanessa that is Amazing! Great interview, calm and informative. Continue the good work and I can't wait for the house tour video..

[@MrOGDomino]

She is an AMAZING Spirit!! Thank you to the Universe for cresting such a breath-taking inspiration..🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@let_uslunch8884]

The house is simply stunning and I enjoyed her story. Thank you.

[@tobiokusanya5352]

Inspiring. She's still a hard worker at her age.

[@nubiacairo8835]

Wow. An absolutely beautiful home. What an amazing woman. Educated. Well traveled, articulate, creative and talented. I hope others will really follow her example since the raffia is readily available and cheap.

[@justnicci]

I would love to just meet and learn from her wisdom.

[@hum-a-hymnministry217]

God bless you! You are blessed with an incredible gift of creativity. You know who you are and Ghana is blessed to have you! Thank you for sharing your wisdom! This house is amazing!!!

[@charlenesteward195]

FINALLY! A home in Africa that actually looks warm , cozy and inviting!!! She is spot on! I think this is one of the only ways I would build a home there. It was simply beautiful and organic and it looked like good quality materials that was well built. I didn't think anything like it existed anywhere in Africa. A far cry from everything else that I have seen there. And she is such a beautiful accomplished woman as well.

[@nasto4u850]

will you like to visit mama Africa?

[@WeavedIn]

This is beautiful 😍 Thank for sharing 👏👏👏

[@sundaydinna7649]

Well done Sis, thanks for sharing. I am inspired and i am going to seek her out when I am ready to build my next home. 🙂

[@bismarkadu8799]

I'm already in love with Ophelia 💕

[@Ashybe011]

Thanks for highlighting this it's amazing

[@pamelasena552]

Thank you for showing me another natural way of building a beautiful home!

[@knowme9658]

The home and furniture is absolutely beautiful.

[@withshoeon4288]

Love it... also the awesome artworks. God’s blessings

[@lorettadavis6944]

This is by far one of the MOST beautiful homes I’ve seen whether in America or Ghana.

[@splendidtime1]

Absolutely beautiful. This is creativity at it's best. Thanks Vanessa. You do excellent videos on wonderful topics. Thanks

[@mickymouse2445]

That house is so beautifull! Every piece of furniture and how all the pieces work together. So aesthetically pleaseing... Must be amazing to live there...

[@angiesilvers2589]

This is beautiful. I love 💕 her energy. I’m sold on this. I wonder how the material is near the ocean/beaches? I’m definitely reaching out to get more details. Vanessa you have the best creative content. Thank You 🙏🏾

[@Aku_Mula]

Such an extraordinary woman! I love this, never even heard of raffia. I'm intrigued. Thanks Vanessa!

[@thelmahagin]

OMG!!! I recently considered a raffia home and then this video notification came up on my phone today. This is a dream come through for me. Thanks for sharing this @Vanessa Kanbi 🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@roderiquephoton8299]

Lady ur a true artist & a genius. Ur apart of the living truth to show when ones focus & determined u can make ur thoughts a reality. Blessings

[@sapaspeech2412]

Definitely the way forward: Money stays in the nation and boosts our economy, great use of a natural resource, variety in how resource can be used, gorgeous textures and colours. Can't fault it.

[@chale_didi]

Wow she’s such a breath of fresh air 🤗 awesome video Vanessa!

[@elliebella2710]

Thanks for this amazing, inspirational video, Vanessa. Definitely one of your best.

[@evelyngolden2272]

I would love to build a house from the Rafia Palm in Cote d'Ivoire. Is that possible?

[@maryannmingle1243]

Yes, I would like to own one in Liberia. This is a very good idea. Thank God for wisdom , she is creative.

[@monicalawrence7449]

Definitely! Very informative and interesting video.

[@nogomo19]

Thank you Vanessa for introducing Mrs Ophelia Akiwumi she is truly an artist. I am truly interested in building a home using Raffia Palm. Thanks again for this most excellent production very well put together I will be looking forward for part 2 and other great videos. Peace and blessed

[@stacika]

Wow such an exciting life🙌🏼 and a lovely home❤️ her home is simply art

[@livingfinance]

Art, functional and resolves multiple problems.

[@ophini]

It’s not her home. It is an experimental test house, but I promise you that you’ll love her home which is a lot more special, as well as all the others she has designed.

[@livingfinance]

@@ophini Love to see her house then, any relations given you share the last name.

[@Yahuda8]

Wonderful interview, but very little photos of her whole house.

[@VanessaKanbi]

Ill be doing a full house tour

[@Wills276]

The house brought me here, the beauty of the outside but I am so disappointed cos it was too much of the talking part.

[@edmund6392]

@@VanessaKanbi did she mention any cons regarding building with raffia? Any insight on the durability?

[@VanessaKanbi]

@@edmund6392 I will ask this in part 2 thank you for your question

[@VanessaKanbi]

@@Wills276 stay tuned for part two which will be full house tour

[@saudiaspratt1954]

Beautiful Elder she inspires me! Thanks so much for sharing. Yes

[@dsloyalty7775]

Fully Natural✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 A beautiful home. Looks SOOOOOOOO Peaceful*

[@darlab1076]

Would definitely consider building a home with racial. The home looks so inviting and peaceful.

[@ebonypatterson62]

I would love to have a village of these Rafik homes.

[@faithhealingandself-care8972]

I in love with her artwork.

[@Tu51ndBl4d3]

Your cinematography has improved every single video. I am truly amazed. Improvement, improvement, improvement. And this woman and her house are phenomenal!