There is more to it than meets the eye. Until you get close to that person and zoom into his or her life, you will not know the circumstances surrounding the success story of the person, thinking, “All has been rosy.”
Today, we zoom into the life of Miss Mary Ansah, a student midwife and entrepreneur who owns a four arces of citrus farm, over 250 livestocks and some other business.
Zoom in: Mary! Tell us about yourself and who you are?
Mary : I’m Mary Ansah, the last born among my siblings of 9, 6 girls and 3 boys. I was born at Adobewura,Nkawie in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. I am an entrepreneur and a student midwife who just passed out from Nursing and Midwifery Training School.
Mary and some of her year mates
I started my basic education school at Gentle Dove at Nyankyerenease and my upper primary education at Supreme Savior-Tanoso.
Growing up, I was very stubborn and so, I kept changing schools and this affected my academics and my educational journey. At some point, I even stopped schooling…haha.
Education was very important to my dad. He was always on me about my education. It meant a lot to him but I wasn’t interested then, and before I completed Junior High school, I had been to more than three Junior High Schools. In 2005, I completed Junior High School at Adobewura J.H.S.in Nkawie.
After JHS, my dad suggested I learn a train because he didnot see any seriousness in me when it came to schooling.
Already, from age 8, I had always wanted to be a medical doctor, worked to save lives but I wonder why I was not serious with schooling. Perhaps, my understanding of things was shallow then.
On Rotation 
Mary’s Graduation
I started Senior High School at Angel Educational Complex and completed at Serwaa Nyarko Girls.
Zoom in : Mary from the conversation you said you are an entrepreneur and a student midwife. If I may ask.;What changed Mary?
Mary: The demise of my father changed everything.He was the breadwinner of the family and he left us when I had just started Senior High School. It was in that moment I also realized the importance of schooling. Life became very difficult then, so I took upon myself to rear the few farm animals my dad left behind whiles schooling and that was where I found myself in entrepreneurship.
Another thing that helped me to get back to school again was when I met my childhood friend in town. She looked very schooled and more ahead of me in formal education. I was impressed and I challenged myself to get back to the classroom and even if I can’t be the medical doctor I always dreamt of, I have to still be in the heath sector.
Zoom in : Which mentor/role model you always look up to in your country?
Mary: Yes..! Growing up, I always wanted to be people’s person. Nana Ama MacBrown is my role model though I have other people too. I watched an exclusive interview of Nana Ama and I was really touched, her story was almost in line with mine and that was when I became her number one fan. I also like Emelia Brobbey too.
Zoom in : What is your biggest challenge in life so far?
Mary: Going back to classroom, I left business and the stock rearing for someone to takeover, and getting a trusted person to hand over the business and the stock rearing became a challenge.
Another challenge I faced was divided attention when I was in school especially when I was in tertiary. It affected my results in some semesters.
Mary and her friend 
Zoom in : What are some of the mistakes you could have avoided?
Mary: If I were to turn the clock backwards, skipping of school would not be something I would indulge in.
Again, doing an investment or business partnership withouta relative or someone close to me’s knowledge about it.
These mistakes I did in life have not only cost me but have also caused my delayance. Nevertheless, I am happy today because I have learnt my lessons the hard way and that has got me where I am today and I am looking up to the best in the years to come.
Zoom in : Do you have any advice for the Youth?
Mary: So to any young person reading this, I’d like to say now is the time to start consciously investing in yourself and building yourself into that person you want to become. Don’t only focus on the business or the money, thus if you’re into entrepreneurship. If there’s the need to further yourself, do it! If you have also gained yourself a certificate, it’s not enough, find yourself self skills and pursue. It can even be a family business or a skill within the family. Don’t say tomorrow! Get up! And get to it!
Zoom in : Any future plans?
Mary: As our world has moved to digitization, I have to also be boundaryless. I am planning of doing inter continental businesses while still working as a midwife. I have again thought of adding other businesses to the existing ones, thus wholesale businesses in my area. I also plan of going into Agribusiness (farming) thus if I get any initiative and of which I am praying for.
Wow! This is Mary Ansah’s story and we believe you have learnt something from her journey.
The School of Life 