Betty Ansabah Ako: Redefining Architecture in a Male-Dominated Industry

Betty Ansabah Ako: The Woman Shaping Ghana’s Built Environment For nearly two decades, Mrs Betty Ansabah Sawyerr Ako has navigated the demanding world of architecture, moving between drawing boards and construction sites to transform ideas into structures that serve communities across Ghana. As Managing Director and Creative Lead of Ebbet Consult Ltd, she has built a career defined by resilience, technical expertise and a commitment to creating spaces that improve lives. Her professional footprint extends across several notable public and private developments. Among them is the Court of Appeal Judges’ Residential Complex, recognised by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, alongside the Accra Regional Coordinating Council building, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure and other projects for government agencies and private institutions. Speaking during an interview with The Mirror in Accra last Tuesday, Mrs Ako explained that architecture goes far beyond constructing beautiful buildings. For her, it is about shaping environments where people can live comfortably, communities can flourish and Ghana’s cultural identity can be preserved. It is a philosophy that has guided her journey from an aspiring medical student to an accomplished architect with a strong interest in sustainable design, responsible development and better urban planning. Her portfolio also includes commercial shops for traders and contributions to the Ashaiman Slum Upgrading Project. During her time as an assembly representative, she participated in supervising the E-block school project at Community 22 in Tema. Since transitioning into private consultancy, Mrs Ako has continued to expand her professional portfolio. Her work includes projects at the Human Resource Centre in Akumadan, developments for the Jospong Group of Companies, including recycling facilities and transfer stations, and contributions to the Accra Regional Coordinating Council headquarters. “I undertook the interior setup for Synlab Ghana’s new head office at South Legon, Accra, and developed proposals for the interior rehabilitation of Nyaho Medical Centre’s Paediatric Unit and Korle Bu Children’s Hospital. In addition, I have undertaken more than 30 private residential projects across the country,” she said. From Medicine to Architecture Mrs Ako’s journey into architecture began with a change of heart. As a science student at Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, she initially envisioned a future in medicine. However, learning about some of the practical demands of medical training, particularly the dissection of human bodies, caused her to reconsider that ambition. A career seminar subsequently introduced her to architecture, a discipline that combined her scientific background with the opportunity to explore creativity and design. “They told me medical students sometimes have to dissect ‘dead bodies’ and examine them; carry them to me. So, a career seminar introduced me to architecture, a profession that blended science with creativity, and I picked it,” she recalled. That decision set her on a path that would eventually establish her in Ghana’s built-environment sector. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture in 2006 and her Master of Architecture degree in 2008 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The journey through architecture school, however, demanded considerable sacrifice. Days filled with lectures often extended into long nights in the design studios, leaving students with little time for rest. “It was one of the toughest periods of my life. But I had already decided that whatever the profession demanded of me, I was ready,” she said. She was also among the few women in a class of more than 80 students, an experience that offered an early glimpse into the challenges of pursuing a profession largely dominated by men. Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Profession Following graduation, Mrs Ako began her professional journey through national service at the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly. At the time, the assembly had no architect, and what began as a national service placement eventually developed into a decade-long career in local government. Yet, establishing herself in the workplace required more than academic qualifications. She recalled instances when she reported to work only to find that no assignments had been given to her. Rather than remain on the sidelines, she took the initiative to seek opportunities to contribute. “I had to remind people that I was there and capable of doing the work. I wanted to do more than sit in the office, so I requested opportunities to visit construction sites and supervise projects,” she recounted. The challenges extended beyond the office. On construction sites, some male artisans and contractors were reluctant to accept instructions from a woman, forcing her to navigate questions about her authority and professional competence. Her response was to rely on knowledge, communication and professionalism rather than confrontation. “I will just approach them and tell them we are all here to share ideas. Once they realise you know your work and can explain every decision technically, the respect comes naturally,” she explained. Her experience reflects a broader challenge for women in the construction industry, where professional competence can sometimes be overshadowed by longstanding gender stereotypes. For Mrs Ako, however, consistency and the ability to defend her decisions with technical knowledge have remained central to earning respect. Beyond Beautiful Buildings: Changing Perceptions of Architecture One of Mrs Ako’s priorities is to reshape public understanding of what architects actually do. She believes that many Ghanaians associate architecture primarily with drawing building plans and producing visually appealing designs, overlooking the technical, environmental and financial considerations that inform every project. “Beauty actually comes last,” she said. “The first things we consider are functionality, sustainability and cost.” From ventilation and natural lighting to safety, comfort and affordability, she explained that architectural decisions must serve practical purposes and respond to the needs of the people who will use the spaces. She is particularly passionate about sustainable architecture that responds to Ghana’s climate and environmental conditions rather than simply replicating foreign design trends. Her approach also emphasises the use of locally manufactured materials, which can support domestic industries while helping projects respond more appropriately to local conditions. Mrs Ako also challenges the perception that engaging an architect is an unnecessary expense. She argues that involving a qualified professional from the beginning of a project can help clients avoid costly design errors, poor planning and expensive modifications during construction. For her, good architecture is not merely about what a building looks like when completed; it is about how effectively it performs throughout its lifetime. Ghana’s Cities Need Better Planning Beyond individual buildings, Mrs Ako believes architects have a much greater role to play in shaping Ghana’s urban development. She argues that architects should be integral to the planning and development processes of metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, working alongside urban planners, engineers and other professionals to create well-organised, functional and sustainable communities. “Ideally, every metropolitan, municipal and district assembly should have architects. Architects are visionaries and should work alongside planners and other professionals to ensure our communities are well planned and sustainable,” she noted. She identifies persistent traffic congestion, recurrent flooding, shrinking green spaces and inefficient land use as some of the consequences of development that takes place without adequate coordination and long-term planning. In her view, addressing these challenges requires a broader understanding of architecture—one that extends beyond individual properties to consider entire neighbourhoods, public spaces, infrastructure networks and the quality of life of residents. Her position is that architects must be given a stronger voice in national development conversations if Ghana is to build cities that are not only expanding but also liveable, resilient and sustainable. Balancing Professional Ambition and Family Life Away from the demands of architectural practice, construction supervision and project meetings, Mrs Ako places great value on family. She is married to Mr Ernest Papa Kwesi Ako and has three daughters: Akosua Ohenewaa Ako, Nana Akua Nkunim Ako and Ewurabena Nyamepe Ako. Like many professionals balancing demanding careers with family responsibilities, she has had to learn how to manage competing priorities. Earlier in her career, the combination of tight deadlines, late-night work and family commitments eventually led to burnout. The experience prompted her to reconsider how she approached work and personal time. Today, she maintains clearer boundaries, dedicating weekdays to professional responsibilities while reserving evenings and weekends for her family. She also avoids taking work calls outside agreed working hours, recognising that effective time management and personal well-being are essential to sustaining long-term professional excellence. Her experience highlights an important lesson for ambitious professionals: success is not measured solely by the number of projects completed but also by the ability to maintain a healthy and fulfilling life beyond work. Designing Spaces That Transform Lives Despite the obstacles she has encountered, Mrs Ako has no regrets about choosing architecture over medicine. Her greatest satisfaction comes from seeing people occupy and benefit from the spaces she helps create. For her, the real value of a completed project lies not simply in its appearance or scale but in its ability to support everyday life, strengthen communities and create lasting value. She views architects as extensions of God’s creative work, entrusted with the responsibility of shaping environments that enhance human experience. That sense of purpose continues to drive her professional ambitions, including her optimism about an upcoming international project associated with ECOWAS. From her early days as one of the few women in an architecture classroom to leading her own consultancy and contributing to projects across Ghana, Mrs Ako’s journey demonstrates the importance of determination, technical competence and a clear vision. Her story is not simply about a woman who found her way into a male-dominated profession. It is about an architect who has steadily carved out a place for herself in the built environment, while advocating a broader vision of architecture—one in which buildings are designed not merely to stand, but to serve people, preserve identity and shape a better future for Ghana.