Lexy-Sharon Ofori thrives as a translator, entrepreneur

Lexy-Sharon Ofori is a 32-year-old French and Portuguese language translator. She is also an entrepreneur and describes herself as an advocate for the less privileged. 

Born Lexy-Sharon Ammah, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL), Accra where she studied translation. 

                                     The family of Mrs Lexy-Sharon Ofori

She has a diploma in French from the Université D’ahomey, Calavi (Benin), and another in Business Administration from the Institute of Commercial Management (UK).

Mrs Ofori is currently the owner of the Bureau of Translation and Interpretation (BTI), a freelance translation, transcription, rapporteur and conference logistics planning firm in Accra. 

“I have been in this field for over four years and have worked with the ECOWAS Energy and Mines, Ghana Maritime Authority, Kantar Ghana Limited and NTU International. 

Referring to herself as a ‘dbee with hard labour’, she says she always tries to find ways to double her income and, therefore, also runs a clothing, shoes and bags business called ‘Lexy’s Collection’.

                           Mrs Lexy-Sharon Ofori (Middle) with some staff 

Coupled with that, Lexy-Sharon runs a peer-to-peer network called ‘zealous ladies in business’ and volunteers as an advisor to a non-profit organisation called ‘Naa oo Naa Foundation’. 

She also serves as a Director on the board of Africa Business Trade checks, a business management consultancy firm.  
In an interview with The Mirror last Tuesday, she spoke about  her life, goals, challenges and the future. 

Background
Mrs Ofori, who was born and raised at Odorkor, Accra, revealed that her mother, Mrs Rebecca Allotey, and her father, Emmanuel Shubert Ammah, a fashion designer, divorced when her mother was pregnant with her. 

She said as a result, she was primarily raised by her mother who made great sacrifices, showed ambition, strength and perseverance.

She added that she had her primary school education at the St Anthony’s School at Sakaman, Accra and attended Ghanata Senior High School at Dodowa, Accra.

                    Mrs Ofori with her husband, Mr Gabriel Yeboah Ofori

When asked if the absence of a father might have affected her, she recounted the financial burden it had on her mother, although she was then working with the Electoral Commission .

“I missed all the fatherly love and advice my siblings had and also having a father attend school functions even though my mother and siblings did. Psychologically, it made me more reserved and, in fact, my heart and emotions were virtually locked up to men, until I met my husband”, she said. 

She added that she had to channel all her energy into studying and finding petty ways of making money such as beaded wrist watch in order to escape the occasional thoughts of her father.

Time in GIL
According to Mrs Ofori her first love has also been translation and the work of a diplomat. “I remember, as a child, when a friend read a newspaper in English, I would always playfully read it back in Ga. 

When I got to senior high, the interest in becoming a diplomat developed and since that field cuts across countries, being able to communicate in different languages was important.

She added that when she got admitted to GIL, she chose French and Portuguese because those languages were more useful in her immediate environment, Africa. “I also studied international relations and economics and law as part of my courses”, she added.

         Mrs Ofori with her mother, Mrs Rebecca Allotey at her GIL graduation

Birth of BTI

“My firm, BTI was officially formalised last year because it was necessary that I got a stamp to certify my work.  Currently, I have a permanent staff of five and seven other freelancers” she said. 

When our reporter asked how she was able to fund the establishment, the owner of ‘Lexy’s collection’ attributed it to her sense of financial discipline which she had developed early in life.

“As early as junior high school, I had to draw budgets and accounts to  present to my mom whenever I needed even GH¢20.

This skill helped me save up income as a national service person,  when I made and sold clothing, beaded wrist watches, a freelance translator and the support from my husband and family”, she said.

     Mrs Lexy-Sharon Ofori (first from right) with staff of her firm, Bureau of Translations and Interpretation at a conference

According to Mrs Ofori, her business was quite profitable as she charged from GH¢ 3,000 depending on the job requirement.

“Basic all day rapporteur services such as taking detailed minutes at an all-day conference could cost GH¢2,500 with an additional charge if translation was required”, she said.

Challenges as an entrepreneur

Regarding her work as a translator in the country , she said she faced challenges with pricing.

“Local clients always ask for reduction but often do not take into consideration the efforts the work itself entails. 

To mitigate this, being firm is important as I believe when you know your worth, you should not succumb to pressure.

“Although I sometimes give discounts, clients who value and understand the work pay without hassle”, she said.

The translator lamented about  government taxes on start-up businesses, saying they were high adding that such small-scale businesses should be given a grace period of more than the stipulated one year.

                                    Mrs Ofori loves to help the less privileged

Plans
Touching on the future, Lexy-Sharon said she had plans to expand her empire. 

“I am a creative person so I am never short of ideas on making money. I remember when I made the ‘Ewe’ style beads watch, I sold one for GH¢20 back at GIL level 200.

I plan to further my education whether home or abroad towards my dream of being a diplomat, expand BTI to a wider audience and maybe go more into already sewn dresses since I can sew”, she said .

Mrs Ofori encouraged all young executives never to give up, pray and not be afraid to take risks.

“Also to entrepreneurs, I advise that you pay attention to social media, product placement, call cards, establishing connections and being confident are essential”, she added. 

Mrs Ofori is a native of the people of Asene of Ga-Mashie in Accra and the last of three children. She is married to Mr Gabriel Yeboah Ofori, a business and policy analyst who she described as; “kind, loving and supportive”.                                        
                                                                                             Writer’s email: appreygloria@gmail.com