I was a market woman before acting – Adwoa Smart

Adwoa Smart and Maame Dokono

Veteran actress, Belinda Naa Ode Oku, popularly known as Adwoa Smart, has opened up about her humble beginnings and how her life transformed through the support of Ghanaian screen legend Grace Omaboe, widely known as Maame Dokono.

Speaking in an interview with Adom FM, Adwoa Smart revealed that long before she became a household name in Ghana's film industry, she was a market trader at Kaneshie. Having dropped out of school at a young age, she worked tirelessly to support herself and her family.

“I didn't want to depend on anyone, so I was hustling at the market. I sold anything and everything, and I had a steady flow of customers,” she recalled.

Her life took a remarkable turn when a woman who admired her introduced her to Maame Dokono. Though skeptical at first, Maame Dokono asked Adwoa Smart to dance for her as a kind of audition. Impressed by her performance, she gave the young actress a chance to step into the world of performing arts.

Beyond that, Maame Dokono also offered her a job at her drinking spot, where she worked as a waitress at night after joining acting shoots during the day.

From there, Adwoa Smart's career blossomed. She went on to feature in some of Ghana's most celebrated productions, including Obra, Efiewura, and Bongo Bar, which solidified her place in the entertainment industry.