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 Having long discovered that foundation of building a successful business rests on fortitude, sincerity and a sense of community ownership, she neither subtracted from nor added anything to that insight.
Constance Swaniker now looks back with pride on the fact that her company, Accents and Arts, started from a humble compound at the family home in Bubuashie, a suburb of Accra in Ghana, has matured into accessorising homes of those who have acquired a taste for fine furniture.
Items including balustrades, gates, burglar-proofs and garden chairs are some of the products the company has specialised in manufacturing, employing a combination of both metals and wood for the finishing. Constance recently opened the company’s doors for the public to share in her joy as part of activities celebrating a decade of success.
In a speech filled with emotion and humility, Constance walked the audience through the life of Accents and Arts, the rationale behind establishment of the company, the challenges, and where their products can be found.
“We looked with pride at the achievements of our culture; items like kente, gold jewellery, Aggrey beads, Ashanti stools and the domestic architecture of the Dagomba, Sisala and Mamprusi people. We were angry at the extent to which we have abandoned our creativity for mass-produced articles from abroad.”
The anger in her provided the needed motivation as she was confident of designing and producing “tastefully manufactured things for our homes” by looking within the borders of Ghana to her own “natural roots for inspiration”.
One of the challenges the company faced, apart from the usual difficulties with organisational structure, was to see the little income made from selling “ornaments and fountains” fly away.
Constance’s saving grace was her mother, whom she said was on hand to give the company essential financial stability for them to stay on their feet.
“She is my most steadfast support and has never denied us help whenever we needed it. I take this opportunity to thank her publicly for the miracle of giving me life twice,” she said with tears in her eyes, “The first time as a baby, and the second time as an entrepreneur. I have vowed never to betray her faith in me.”
Constance revealed another aspect of the promise she made to her mother, who unfortunately could not make it to the event but was represented her brother.
“I try to honour this faith by being a role-model for other young people, especially young females. I believe that our success shows them never to give up on their dreams.”
From its beginnings in a wooden shed, Accents and Arts now sits on an expanded plot of land including offices, showrooms and workshops fitted with modern equipment.
The company has also created for itself a very reputable clientele, with their products seen not only in diplomatic homes but also in Ghana’s Parliament House, African Regent Hotel, Mahogany Lodge, Labadi Beach Hotel, Buka Restaurant, Melting Moments and construction company Taysec, all in the nation’s capital, Accra
Touching on the items designed by the company, Constance said a lot of thinking and creativity go into each piece to meet the expectations of clients.
“We design each piece to be viewed as a work of art as well as a utilitarian item. We believe that our products represent the best that this nation’s artistic and artisanal tradition can produce.”
The company has a workforce of 40 including carpenters, electricians, sprayers, creative artists and administrative staff.
“I want to express my unlimited gratitude to our staff who have been so loyal to Accents and Arts and whose immense creativity has led to us to be Ghana’s premier purveyor of metal art,” she said in a glowing tribute to her workers.
Constance told Business Times that the company’s vision is to ensure expansion of their frontiers beyond the shores of Ghana by looking at other important and exciting markets in both Africa and Europe.
A former student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she studied Arts, Constance got hands-on experience working at a furniture company during holidays. She comes from a family of artists.
Her aunty Korkor Amartiefio is a well-known Ghanaian artist and has had managerial experience with the National Theatre. Uncle Nick Amarteifio, the former Mayor of Accra, is a respected architect with an international taste for fine works.
It is therefore not surprising that Constance Swaniker’s talent and business interests are firmly embedded in the family’s artistic heritage.
PULL-QUOTE
The company has also created for itself a very reputable clientele, with their products seen not only in diplomatic homes but also in Ghana’s Parliament House, African Regent Hotel, Mahogany Lodge, Labadi Beach Hotel, Buka Restaurant, Melting Moments and construction company Taysec, all in the nation’s capital, Accra
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