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.
Watch the full house tour here - • $45,000 HOUSE MADE OUT...
★SUBSCRIBE HERE TO SEE MORE - kzread.info?...
★ Vanessa Kanbi Instagram - / vanessakanbi
CONTACT FOR OPHELIA -
○ Ophelia Akiwumi's instagram - / orangeryghana
○ Ophelia's Watsapp - +233277326690
WATCH MORE:
○ • LIVING IN GHANA | LEFT...
SUPPORT MY CHANNEL:
○ Patreon - / vanessakanbi
○ PayPal - www.paypal.me/vanessakanbi
CAMERA GEAR:
○ Camera gear used - kit.co/VanessaKanbi/youtube-f...
MUSIC:
○ Where I find my music - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
CONTACT:
○ For business & sponsorship enquires : vanessakanbiyt@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: Some links above are affiliate links. This means If you click the link and purchase something I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me to continue creating these videos - Thank you for supporting my channel!
This video was not sponsored.
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?
Пікірлер: 1 000
WATCH THE FULL HOUSE TOUR HERE - kzread.info/dash/bejne/iZuF2LGBqqrYldY.html
@sugarsugar8127
3 жыл бұрын
is she related to augustus molade akiwumi,the second speaker of parliament of gh?
@motivateme1836
3 жыл бұрын
I think you should bring her back to talk about what she does to keep her soo gorgeous at 78.
@subuolathompson6662
3 жыл бұрын
@@sugarsugar8127and
@TheButta85
3 жыл бұрын
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
78 years old, is unbelievable. She's sophisticated, brilliant, beautiful and incredibly stylish. Wow, thanks for sharing. She is a Legend! 🙏 🌹
@1ladymari
3 жыл бұрын
I'd also love to look that good at 78 yrs young!
@brendajohnson1
3 жыл бұрын
@@1ladymari You and I both! 💕🌹
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
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
Same here!
@MeMe-ht2hd
3 жыл бұрын
Same. We are the only group who didn't want to be here in America. To this bias experiment called America.
@MeMe-ht2hd
3 жыл бұрын
Not going to lie if Africa had the accommodations of America i wouldn't be here.
@DaaTwah
3 жыл бұрын
Exactly, Ghana is a magical place of acceptance.
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
3 жыл бұрын
@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!]
She’s got some fire and wisdom and she is smart. I like that
@tzunammi
3 жыл бұрын
You just described the African woman in a nutshell...
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
3 жыл бұрын
True
This home is amazingly beautiful. She is so creative and insightful. In other words, she is so Afrikan.
@everyroseenterprises2226
3 жыл бұрын
💯
@camellabazemore1034
3 жыл бұрын
Lol 💯
@Inga912
3 жыл бұрын
Once again this content is of HIGHEST quality! The music, the editing, its just perfect. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 cant wait for part 2
@Maybelater444
3 жыл бұрын
I agree! It’s perfect!
I can never understand anyone who dislikes such content, it is perfect and timely for me. Thank you Vanessa and Ophelia xx
@Perfeccionista89
3 жыл бұрын
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. 👍🏾
This lady is a huge inspiration, yes she's special.
Beautiful house. Classy and artistic queen.
She is so right about what she saying. I wishe her all the best with her Training school..
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!!!
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.
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
3 жыл бұрын
You know
@pamelan.6210
3 жыл бұрын
Absolute beautiful. I'm extremely interested in possibly building in Ghana. Please email me at pnevels67@gmail.com or on Facebook Pam nevels.
@anjanaokwuma9128
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, and furniture. No limit to the imagination. AMAZING. I would consider
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
3 жыл бұрын
good questions. Website is listed. :-)
"I have an excellent foreman" THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!!
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.
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
Very interesting life story of this amazing woman. Her house looks soooo nice and very unique.
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
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
Please ask her where people can connect with her to also build similar homes made of raffia.
@VanessaKanbi
3 жыл бұрын
@@livingfinance in regards to your last message all her details are in the description. Thanks for all the other questions :)
@livingfinance
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
@@VanessaKanbiThanks overzealous lol!! Can't wait for part 2.
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
3 жыл бұрын
Does not take a genius to know
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
3 жыл бұрын
will you like to visit mama Africa?
Ghanians!!!! Listen to this wise lady!☀️ 👏🏾
Whoever thumb down this amazing testimony and astonishing work must be from another planet.
Massive....spoke to her and she was really interesting...proud of my Ga lineage.
What a gorgeous house! And what a fabulous woman! Just love our older African women; they age with grace and dignity!❤️
You are doing a great job Vanessa, giving exposure to great businesses in Ghana.
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.
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.
57 years of married to tha SAME MAN!.. lmbo on the emphasis
@Sparkle-ey7iw
3 жыл бұрын
It should be emphasized...this is very rare nowadays!
@oluwaseyeakinbola7602
3 жыл бұрын
@@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
3 жыл бұрын
Goals😍
Loved hearing her story! And what a gorgeous house! Looking forward to seeing more videos! ❤️
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
What an amazing adaptation of local product.
Hi Vans , Akiwome is beautiful . Love how she is still a PanAfricanist in all her ways . Her place is gorgeous ❤
@chasingthesun90
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
@@ophini Akiwumi sounds familiar like the Yoruba "Akinwunmi". I can see how her exposure played out on the design. Simply beautiful!!!
@LisaLisa-wu9rl
3 жыл бұрын
@@FERESE Yes Yoruba, she must be Nigerian, born and raised in Ghana.
Wow.. I can sit and sip tea and listen to her all day and her home is beautiful! 💜
We can build so many homes to house the population with this material! More must think outside the box💯💯
@livingfinance
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
@@livingfinance I agree 100%!!
@SiaLi-
3 жыл бұрын
@@livingfinance yes yes!!
@mpalmer7800
3 жыл бұрын
True!! I always said that African ppl can build efficient homes with all the natural resources
@stacika
3 жыл бұрын
@@mpalmer7800 factsss🙌🏼
I think the home is beautiful. I would definitely consider having one built. Thanks for presenting Ophelia Akiwome to us.
@veronicakoppelman3325
3 жыл бұрын
Me too. Building and buying a home has become unaffordable anywhere close to Accra. This is a good option. Thanks 💞
Wow! She’s lived such an exciting and eventful life. I could listen to her talk all day.
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
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
100
@marilynmillien-harris3702
3 жыл бұрын
Actually, I like the new format as well with the background jazz music setting the mood!
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.
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.
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
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
@@kz-xv1ou very intuitive you are...exactly. would you like some tea?
@kz-xv1ou
3 жыл бұрын
@@tspcocktail i wouldn't mind. thanks.
@tspcocktail
3 жыл бұрын
@@kz-xv1ou then breakfast can wait. Ttfn
It’s never too late to do anything!!🙏🏾
This home is absolutely gorgeous!! I think that it is the best that I've seen in Ghana so far.
this woman is absolutely fabulous and that house - uh-mazing!
I'm already in love with Ophelia 💕
You’re growth and work rate in the last year since I’ve followed you has been amazing to see 🙌🏾
Bless Her Heart, What a Beautiful woman, I can't Believe She's 78 unbelievable, Nice woman and very nice decor and Peaceful home.
I absolutely love this!! I’ve never been a fan of „concrete jungles“. This is beautiful and eco-friendly. Love it! 💕
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.
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
2 жыл бұрын
Wow, thanks so much!
Architectural Digest needs to profile this house, beyond beautiful. I am impressed, bravo Madam 👏 💝💝💝
Great visionary, this ecofriendly housing project is trending and common in Bali, smart concept ✊🏾
@PatriciaAbijah
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, that’s why what has put Bali on the map
@EstherAivinhenyi
3 жыл бұрын
@@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
3 жыл бұрын
@@EstherAivinhenyi ✌🏾
@gigiheritage5813
3 жыл бұрын
@@EstherAivinhenyi Smart wits and unity will keep outsiders from profiting off of such beautiful ecofriendly resources, right their own back yard! What a venture!!
EXCELLENT PRODUCTION VALUES ON THIS ONE! SOFT LIGHTING, SMOOTH TRANSITIONS, CLEAR SOUND. A PROFESSIONAL GRADE INTERVIEW.
@blackgirlsonfleek9598
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, I totally agree. Very high quality this one!
Why do you enjoy living in Ghana? That answer was just 👌🏻
Fully Natural✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 A beautiful home. Looks SOOOOOOOO Peaceful*
@darlab1076
3 жыл бұрын
Would definitely consider building a home with racial. The home looks so inviting and peaceful.
She has impeccable taste
@livingfinance
3 жыл бұрын
Doesn’t she? I’d love to know more about her school and the talent that will spring with her direction. This is the sort of brain drain that so many African countries suffer from. It’s great that she went back to Ghana to add value.
Let me leave here to go manifest such a house for myself😁😁🤣
@fay8717
3 жыл бұрын
Me too !
@jmarieflowers
3 жыл бұрын
Oh for real
@lafete6863
3 жыл бұрын
Love the energy 💯💯💯
@Pennedhaus
3 жыл бұрын
same here :)
@ttbrew47
3 жыл бұрын
I'm with you
Such an extraordinary woman! I love this, never even heard of raffia. I'm intrigued. Thanks Vanessa!
I absolutely, ADORE this! My only trip to the Motherland was to Ghana in 2007, and I loved it. Thank you for sharing!
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...
The home and furniture is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for showing me another natural way of building a beautiful home!
Your cinematography has improved every single video. I am truly amazed. Improvement, improvement, improvement. And this woman and her house are phenomenal!
She is an AMAZING Spirit!! Thank you to the Universe for cresting such a breath-taking inspiration..🙏🏽🙏🏽
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!!!
I'm in awe. She's so inspiring and beautiful as is her home 🙌🏾
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 🙏🙏🙏❤️
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
This is amazing. The design and the concept are ingenious.
Her last comments made me so happy inside. Thanks for giving back to the community.
I'm so proud of you, staying and living in Ghana❣ The material, natural is extremely beautiful❣
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
3 жыл бұрын
when are you coming
@dorissmith6800
3 жыл бұрын
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
That is amazingly beautiful. WOW. I love the esthetic and everything about it!
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.
Inspiring. She's still a hard worker at her age.
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. 🙂
Love it... also the awesome artworks. God’s blessings
Wow she’s such a breath of fresh air 🤗 awesome video Vanessa!
This is such a beautiful home ~ I love the organic materials she used for this fabulous home
The house is simply stunning and I enjoyed her story. Thank you.
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 🙏🏾
Her talent and wisdom is an asset to Ghana. Traveled, Seasoned, Educated and willing to share and train. A blessed life for sure.
What an innovator and a visionary! I’m loving the taste, environmental benefits and the emphasis on harnessing local resources & people. I’d definitely live in a raffia palm home!
Yes, I would like to own one in Liberia. This is a very good idea. Thank God for wisdom , she is creative.
I love her explanation as to why she stayed and built her business in Ghana. True and accurate!
Vanessa that is Amazing! Great interview, calm and informative. Continue the good work and I can't wait for the house tour video..
Now THIS is a dope house!
This is BIG! 🔥
This is such a gorgeous and affordable house. Love it!
All I can say is wow, truly amazing.
I would love to have a village of these Rafik homes.
I would love to just meet and learn from her wisdom.
Thank you so much Vanessa for presenting Mrs Akiwome to us. This is heavenly. Will definitely consider a raffia home. Eco- friendly!
This home looks great I love how it fits the vibe of Africa, yet modernize with clean and minimal design. Its pleasing on the eyes 👀
Wow. Spectacular. 🤩
This is by far one of the MOST beautiful homes I’ve seen whether in America or Ghana.
Beautiful Elder she inspires me! Thanks so much for sharing. Yes
I in love with her artwork.