Ghanaian-Canadian businesswoman
Menaye Donkor (born 20 March 1981) is a Canadian-born Ghanaian businesswoman, entrepreneur, model and philanthropist. She was Miss Universe Ghana in 2004[1] and represented Ghana in Miss Universe 2004. Donkor is married to Ghanaian professional footballer Sulley Muntari.[3]
Early life and education
Menaye Donkor was raised in Accra, Ghana, and is the youngest of seven siblings with four brothers and two sisters.[4] At the age of seven, she inherited the job title of "Royal Stool Bearer" from her paternal grandmother, who is the queen mother of Agona Asafo.[4] Donkor received her childhood education in Ghana, at Morning Star School. She lived and studied in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, during her high school years, and moved back to her birthplace in Toronto to study marketing and business marketing at York University, where she graduated with honors. In the summer of 2011, she studied film at The Studio (formerly The Sally Johnson Studio) in New York City and then completed a film course with Brian Deacon at the London Academy of Film, Media and Television.[5]
Career
In her early twenties, Donkor won the title Miss Universe Ghana,[6] and spent a few years working as a model. She appeared on the covers of many magazines in Ghana, South Africa, and Italy such as New African Woman, Pompey Life, SportsWeek (La Gazetta dello sport), Canoe Magazine, and Maxim Italy. She represented Chopard at The Cannes Films Festival in 2012 and 2013. She co-managed and marketed her then-boyfriend Sulley Muntari brand from 2006 until 2009. In 2012, she became the face of Printex,[7] a fabric and textiles company in Ghana.
SHE-Y by Menaye
Menaye created and launched the Italian label SHE-Y. Early in 2016, the company released its first all-natural goods, which were made using ethically sourced Shea butter from Ghana.[8]
Personal life
Menaye is married to Sulley Muntari and they have two children.[9] She is the cousin of Ama K. Abebrese.[10] She is a Christian.[11]
Philanthropy
Menaye started the Menaye Charity Organization in 2004 to help children in Ghana by offering free education.[12]
In 2021, her firm Sincerëly Ghana Limited, partnered with project BRAVE to provide sanitary pads to young women in Keta in the Volta region. The company launched the Sister-2-Sister initiative to provide sanitary pads to ladies in underprivileged communities in Ghana.[13]
Honours and recognition
In September 2012, Menaye was honored and chosen by the chief and elders of Agona Asafo in the Central Region of Ghana to be the ‘Nkosuohemaa’ or ‘Development Queen’ of Agona Asafo.[14] Her official title is Nanahemaa Menaye Afumade Afrakoma I. In 2015, Menaye was given a special mention at the Infant Charity Awards in Milan for being "Female Friend of the Children."[15]
References
External links