I wouldn’t change a thing: The Mz Dru story

For some Ghanaians born and raised abroad, relocating to Ghana can be quite an experience that leaves them disillusioned. While some give up and return, others stay and fight to make a success of their story.

Media personality, Mz Dru is one who falls in the latter category; she was born and raised in the UK and relocated to Ghana in 2018 after the death of her father. And while her nearly three-year stay in Ghana has had its challenges, she tells Graphic Showbiz that she wouldn’t change a thing about her experience.

“ It’s been a journey, a rollercoaster and quite challenging but I wouldn’t change a thing about moving back because it’s shaped me and made me stronger. I am a very determined person and whenever I set my mind to do something, I make sure I see it through. There is a sense of peace I feel being here and also the opportunities I have had make it all worthwhile.

“When I look at where I am now with my career, I know I wouldn’t have gotten there if I had still been in the UK. It was difficult to get an opportunity to get to where I wanted to be in the UK.

“I tried for so many years to get an opportunity but it was hard because there were so many other people looking for the same opportunities. But being here has been good even with the challenges. if it comes to the money, the UK is better but working is about being content and I am in Ghana. I believe that my purpose is here,” she said.

The decision to relocate was not a planned one for Mz Dru but after the death of her father, she needed a break and decided to come to Ghana. “I was working a lot, doing about four to five jobs at a point. When my dad, who was my best friend died, I came to Ghana to clear my mind but being the workaholic that I am, I ended up finding opportunities,” she explained.

Those opportunities started with the EIB Network where she worked at Live FM hosting the morning show, Live Breakfast Club and also hosting Rhythmz and Countdown on GHOne. She left EIB last year and has now found herself working with MX 24 (she joined to do more fulfilling stuff) where she hosts quite a number of programmes.

She hosts Moments, a show which focuses on what to do in Ghana, highlighting some of the best spots to hang out and also the beauty of the country; then there is MX Beatz, which gives young people the platform to showcase their talents; MX Breaks is basically entertainment news in the mornings and on Roots, Mz Dru speaks to people like her, who lived in the diaspora and have returned home, shining the light on what they are doing here, their challenges and their triumphs.

Talking about MX 24, Mz Dru said she feels like she fits in more there. “MX is new and it has so much potential. I love that what they’re doing is not just for Ghana, they’re trying to show content from across the continent. They are trying to do things differently from what we’re used to and that for me is great,” she stated.

Mz Dru loves working in the media

When she is not busy working, the bubbly and beautiful presenter focuses on one of her other passions, youth empowerment. She told Graphic Showbiz that her heart is for the youth and she wants to provide them a safe haven where they are free to express themselves. “As a young person myself, I know that young people have underlying issues and they’re looking for people to talk to and I want to be that sister that they can open up to,” she added.

She has a number of initiatiaves targeted at the youth inclduing Heart To Heart, a campus activation for young ladies to talk about their journey, what they’re going through and how they’re overcoming their challenges as well as This Lady, which is a mentorship programme.

“I have a lot of young ladies who send me messages telling me they want to be like me and want to do what I do so I set up This Lady to provide them with mentorship and help them on their journey,” she stated.

Mz Dru, real name Drusilla Lartey is quite the busy bee who has her hands in different things and explains that she likes being very active and that is why even with her busy schedule, she still finds time to run a YouTube channel. With the channel, she tries to show what normal Ghanaian life is like. “I show how people are trying to survive and make money. I show spaces in Ghana including where to go. I like to show the typical Ghanaian life.”

Then there is her plantain chips business which she launched last year. Known as Ayeko (a play on the Twi word Ayekoo which means well done) Plantain Chips, Mz Dru said she set it up to congratulate herself for living and surviving in Ghana.

“Honestly plantain is the way to my heart, I can have it any form so when I was thinking of the business I thought why not do something around it. We launched in September and we have already sold over 10,000 packets and partnered with Mensdo Bissap. I’m really thinking of going worldwide with it, we’re already in the UK but I’m looking at expanding to more countries,” she explained.

Having been in Ghana for nearly three years, one would have expected Mz Dru, because of her bubbly nature to have a lo of friends but she explains that she is more of a lone ranger. “It’s been difficult trying to make friends because you don’t know who has your best interests.” She however indicated that she would love to be friends with media personality, Anita Erksine because she loves her journey and believe she can pick some takeaways from her.

Mz Dru studied Media and Communications at Leicester University in the UK and did some work there before moving here. She loves travelling, connecting with nature and loves going to the Western Region.

Mz Dru says she is not rushing into a relationship

On relationships, Mz Dru revealed that she is single although she has so many men inboxing her expressing their interest.
“The pressure is a lot but I am a strong woman and I know what I want. I don’t a man whose spiritual life is weak because I have a strong relationship with my God. I believe that my life is one orchestrated by God and I will trust Him to steer me right. I am not in a rush at all,” she disclosed.

On her ambitions for the future Mz Dru stated it simply. I want to be a better Oprah, I want to be the voice for the people, the big sister that people can talk to. I want to teach people to live their best lives while chasing their dreams. I want them to be content and love the life they live.”