Deborah Owusu-Bonsu

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Deborah Owusu-Bonsu
Born
Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu

(1984-08-25) 25 August 1984 (age 39)
Other namesSister Derby, Sister Deborah, Deborah Vanessa
EducationWesley Girls' High School
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Bachelor's Degree)
University of the Arts London (Master Degree)
OccupationTelevision presenter, model, academic
Years active1994–present

Deborah Owusu-Bonsu (born 25 August 1984) better known by her stage name as Sister Derby[1] is a Ghanaian television presenter, musician and model of Akan origin and a former presenter at e.tv Ghana.[1]

Early life and education

Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu was born on 25 August 1984, to an Ashanti father and a Romanian mother. Both of her parents were collectors of world music and art. She is a television show host, model, musician, academic and graphic artist.[2] Owusu-Bonsu is the sister of popular hip life musician Wanlov the Kubolor who starred in the film Coz Ov Moni.[2] Owusu-Bonsu attended Christ the King International School, then Wesley Girls' High School.[2] Owusu-Bonsu graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Publishing Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology followed by a Master Degree in Book/Journal Publishing from the University of the Arts London.[2]

Professional career

Ms. Owusu-Bonsu has shown her professionalism and passion for her chosen field by working successfully for both small enterprises as well as big corporations in Ghana, the United States and the United Kingdom.[2] In 2012, Owusu-Bonsu recorded and released a single (music) entitled 'Uncle Obama' referring to Barack Obama in which was covered by United States television network CNN.[3] Since 2012, Owusu-Bonsu was the host of The Late Nite Celebrity Show program broadcast by television network e.tv Ghana.[4] She later moved to GHOne Television where she hosted her show, Gliterrati for a brief period before handing over to Berla Mundi.[5]

Personal life

She dated rapper Medikal for three years, before breaking up in 2018.[6][7]

Activism

Deborah Vanessa has been actively involved in sanitation and recycling campaigns using her music. In 2018, she made a call on the government of Ghana to use of plastic bags [8] In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her brother (Wanlov the Kubolor) made nosemasks from recycled secondhand clothing to help reduce clothing waste from dumpsites and the sea.[9][10]

Deborah Vanessa has also been vocal about the rights of LGBT+ individuals in Ghana. In 2021, she spoke against the Ghanaian anti-LGBT bill and the shutting down of the LGBT+ Rights Ghana office.[11][12][13] She also featured on Angel Maxine's Kill The Bill and Wo Fie, which used music to advocate for the rights of LGBT+ individuals in Ghana [14][15][16]

Discography

Singles

Year Title Artist
2012 Uncle Obama Sister Deborah ft (FOKN Bois)
2015 Kikoliki Sister Deborah ft (Joey B)
2017 Sampanana Sister Deborah ft (Medikal)
2018 Pure Water Sister Deborah ft (Efya)
2018 Kakalika Love Sister Deborah ft (Efo Chameleon)
2019 Libilibi Sister Deborah ft (Yaa Pono)

References

  1. ^ Mensah, Jeffrey (11 October 2019). "Meet Sister Derby and Wanlov's beautiful 65-year-old 'obroni' mother". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu Uncovered!". atghana. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Deborah Vanessa Drops Single 'Uncle Obama'". Viasat 1. 15 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Deborah Vanessa wins Fashion 101 top prize". etvghana.com. E.tv Ghana. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Confirmed: Deborah Vanessa and Medikal are dating". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2 August 2019.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Medikal finally confirms breakup with Sister Debbie". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 23 March 2019.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Deborah Vanessa confirms break-up with Medikal". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Sister Derby calls on government to ban plastic bags". GhanaWeb. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Wanlov, Sister Derby make face masks from recycled second-hand clothes - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  10. ^ Adu, Dennis (26 March 2020). "Wanlov, Sister Derby make face masks from recycled second-hand clothes [Video]". Adomonline.com. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  11. ^ "'LGBTQ members must be protected from bloodclarts like you' – Sister Derby attacks critics". GhanaWeb. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  12. ^ Arthur, Erica Nana (23 July 2021). "Your fight against LGBTQ rights shameful, backward - Sister Derby to Sam George — Starr Fm". Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Pappy Kojo, Sam George Fight On Twitter". DailyGuide Network. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  14. ^ moshood (28 October 2021). "Becoming Angel Maxine, Ghana's first openly transgender musician". African Arguments. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Ghanaians condemn my hit song because it rebukes their 'hate' for gays – Transgender artiste, Angel Maxine - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  16. ^ "Ghana's first openly trans musician fights homophobia with song". Reuters. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
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