PR TIMES AFRICA PRTimesAfrica (March 2016) | Page 23

quite naturally and she has since carved or
“sculpted” a niche for herself.
Swaniker rose from small beginnings, start-
ing out in a small shed, making garden foun-
tains and ornaments, to receiving interna-
tional recognition for her works using a blend
of wrought iron, cane, wood and glass in her
pieces. Accents & Art Ltd which she found-
ed and grew to a staff strength of about 40
fulltime employees, creates iron balustrades,
furniture and lifelike sculptures. Her work can
be found in a wide range of upscale homes,
offices and diplomatic missions around the
world.
Her works have been recognized in reputa-
ble awards such as “Outstanding Industrial
Metal Furniture Firm” in Ghana Award by wAi
Africa, The Network Journal Africa 40-under
Forty 2010 Achievement Award, Best Entre-
preneur SME Innovation Award 2010, VLISCO
Be Your Dream Award -2013, Metal Product
of the Year 2013 and Regional & Country Win-
ner, Africa’s Most Influential Women in Lead-
ership and Governance-2014.
She participated in the UNESCO International
Women’s Day, 2015, which was also a com-
memoration of the 20th anniversary of the
World Conference on Women held in Beijing,
in 1995. The UNESCO event, where she repre-
sented the Sub- Saharan African region, was
aimed at celebrating the economic, political
and social achievements of women across
the globe. She showcased eight thought pro-
voking pieces highlighting issues that have
had an impact
on her life, environment and community.
She has also established an Art and Design
Institute, closely working with the Universities
and Polytechnics, in Ghana, to aid in bridging
the gap between archaic school curriculum
and ever evolving industrial environment by
providing students a platform to gain prac-
tical experience. Constance’s atelier is situ-
ated in a deprived area of Accra and in 2013
she was presented with a community service
award from its traditional ruler for bringing
economic regeneration to the area and giving
new skills and jobs to the unemployed youth.
Constance is dedicated single mother of
two boys, whom she aims to teach “respect
for women, as they experience firsthand the
challenges a single mother faces to balance
family life and business.”
She is also an unapologetic pan-Africanist
who aspires to leaving a positive mark on so-
ciety and inspire the youth to live their dreams
regardless of the challenges. Speaking to the
Standard Bank Group blog recently she de-
scribed the continent as “a virgin territory”
stating further that “there are so many oppor-
tunities staring at our faces, so it’s great time
to be an African. Africa is the last frontier and
we are roaring lion now. This is our time.”
23 | PRTIMES AFRICA MARCH 2016