{{Short description|Ghanaian TV personality and musician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Deborah Owusu-Bonsu | image = | caption = | birth_name = Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1984}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | education = Wesley Girls' High School<br />Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology <small>(Bachelor's Degree)</small><br />University of the Arts London <small>(Master Degree)</small> | occupation = Television presenter, model, musician | years_active = 1994–present | other_names = Sister Derby, Sister Deborah, Deborah Vanessa | title = | family = | spouse = | partner = | children = | relatives = | credits = | website = }}
'''Deborah Owusu-Bonsu''' (born 1984) better known by her stage name as '''Sister Derby''' or '''Sister Deborah'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Sister Deborah was shocked when I called to ask for a feature – Medikal |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Sister-Deborah-was-shocked-when-I-called-to-ask-for-a-feature-Medikal-1733282 |website=GhanaWeb |access-date=22 March 2023 |language=en |date=19 March 2023}}</ref> is a Ghanaian television presenter, musician and model of Akan origin and a former presenter at e.tv Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mensah |first=Jeffrey |date=2019-10-11 |title=Meet '''Sister Derby''' and Wanlov's beautiful 65-year-old 'obroni' mother |url=https://yen.com.gh/134921-meet-sister-derby-wanlovs-beautiful-romanian-mother-photos.html |access-date=2020-09-25 |website=Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu was born in 1984 to an Ashanti father and a Romanian mother. Both of her parents were collectors of world music and art. She is a television show host, model, musician, and graphic artist.<ref name="Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu Uncovered">{{cite web|url=http://atghana.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/deborah-vanessa-owusu-bonsu-uncovered/ |title=Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu Uncovered! |work=atghana|date=1 December 2011 |accessdate=26 February 2014}}</ref> Owusu-Bonsu is the sister of popular hip life musician Wanlov the Kubolor who starred in the film Coz Ov MDeborah oni.<ref name="Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu Uncovered"/> Owusu-Bonsu attended Christ the King International School, then Wesley Girls' High School.<ref name="Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu Uncovered"/> She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Publishing Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology followed by a Master Degree in Book/Journal Publishing from the University of the Arts London.<ref name="Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu Uncovered"/>
== Professional career == In 2012, Owusu-Bonsu recorded and released a single (music) entitled 'Uncle Obama' referring to Barack Obama in which was covered by United States television network CNN.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viasat1.com.gh/v1/vnews/entertainment.php?postId=221 |title=Deborah Vanessa Drops Single 'Uncle Obama' |publisher=Viasat 1 |date=15 July 2012 |accessdate=26 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302111437/http://www.viasat1.com.gh/v1/vnews/entertainment.php?postId=221 |archive-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Owusu-Bonsu began hosting ''The Late Nite Celebrity Show'' program broadcast by television network e.tv Ghana that same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etvghana.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1643:deborah-vanessa-wins-fashion-101-top-prize&catid=96:etvgh-blog-news&Itemid=484 |title=Deborah Vanessa wins Fashion 101 top prize |work=etvghana.com |publisher=E.tv Ghana |date=2 April 2012 |accessdate=26 February 2014 |archive-date=8 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808074427/http://etvghana.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1643:deborah-vanessa-wins-fashion-101-top-prize&catid=96:etvgh-blog-news&Itemid=484 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She later moved to GHOne Television where she hosted ''Gliterrati'' for a brief period before handing over to Berla Mundi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage//Confirmed-Deborah-Vanessa-and-Medikal-are-dating-455388|title=Confirmed: Deborah Vanessa and Medikal are dating|website=www.ghanaweb.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-02}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
=== Ghana Jollof === West Africans often dispute amongst themselves about whose Jollof rice is better in the so-called Jollof Wars, a competition which is especially prominent between Nigeria and Ghana.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-08-25 |title=West Africa steams over jollof rice war |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-41053424 |access-date=2023-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Oderinde |first1=Busayo |date=5 July 2015 |title=Busayo Oderinde: The Nigerian Versus Ghanaian Jollof Rice Debate |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2015/07/busayo-oderinde-the-nigerian-versus-ghanaian-jollof-rice-debate/ |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Bella Naija}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-07-04 |title=Know the Differences Between Nigerian and Ghanaian Jollof Rice |url=https://www.demandafrica.com/food/know-the-differences-between-nigerian-and-ghanaian-jollof-rice/ |access-date=2021-07-11 |website=Demand Africa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adam |first=Hakeem |date=20 January 2017 |title=A Brief History of Jollof Rice, a West African Favourite |url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/ghana/articles/a-brief-history-of-jollof-rice-a-west-african-favourite/ |access-date=2020-01-16 |website=Culture Trip |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920232242/https://theculturetrip.com/africa/ghana/articles/a-brief-history-of-jollof-rice-a-west-african-favourite |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2016 Owusu-Bonsu released "Ghana Jollof", which poked fun at the Nigerian version and at Nigerians for being proud of their version.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Egbejule |first=Eromo |date=2016-08-22 |title=World Jollof Day: Jamie Oliver's #ricegate and other scandals |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/22/world-jollof-day-jamies-oliver-rice-scandals |access-date=2023-09-18 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
== Personal life == She dated rapper Medikal for three years, before breaking up in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/showbiz/news/medikal-finally-confirms-breakup-with-sister-debbie.html#&ts=undefined|location=Accra, Ghana|newspaper=Daily Graphic|access-date=2019-03-23|title=Medikal finally confirms breakup with Sister Debbie}}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Deborah-Vanessa-confirms-break-up-with-Medikal-697420|title=Deborah Vanessa confirms break-up with Medikal|website=www.ghanaweb.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-23}}</ref>
== Activism == Owusu-Bonsu has been actively involved in sanitation and recycling campaigns using her music. In 2018, she made a call on the government of Ghana to ban the use of plastic bags.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-20 |title=Sister Derby calls on government to ban plastic bags |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Sister-Derby-calls-on-government-to-ban-plastic-bags-661807 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her brother (Wanlov the Kubolor) made nosemasks from recycled secondhand clothing to help reduce clothing waste from dumpsites and the sea.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-26 |title=Wanlov, Sister Derby make face masks from recycled second-hand clothes - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/wanlov-sister-derby-make-face-masks-from-recycled-second-hand-clothes/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adu |first=Dennis |date=2020-03-26 |title=Wanlov, Sister Derby make face masks from recycled second-hand clothes [Video] |url=https://www.adomonline.com/wanlov-sister-derby-make-face-masks-from-recycled-second-hand-clothes-video/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Adomonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Owusu-Bonsu has also been vocal about the rights of LGBT+ individuals in Ghana. In 2021, she spoke against the Ghanaian anti-LGBT bill and the shutting down of the LGBT+ Rights Ghana office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-22 |title='LGBTQ members must be protected from bloodclarts like you' – Sister Derby attacks critics |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/LGBTQ-members-must-be-protected-from-bloodclarts-like-you-Sister-Derby-attacks-critics-1186237 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Arthur |first=Erica Nana |date=2021-07-23 |title=Your fight against LGBTQ rights shameful, backward - Sister Derby to Sam George — Starr Fm |url=https://starrfm.com.gh/2021/07/your-lgbtq-fight-just-for-political-points-sister-derby-to-sam-george/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |language=en-US |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921222530/https://starrfm.com.gh/2021/07/your-lgbtq-fight-just-for-political-points-sister-derby-to-sam-george/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title=Pappy Kojo, Sam George Fight On Twitter |url=https://dailyguidenetwork.com/pappy-kojo-sam-george-fight-on-twitter/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=DailyGuide Network |language=en-US}}</ref> She also featured on Angel Maxine's ''Kill The Bill'' and ''Wo Fie,'' which used music to advocate for the rights of LGBT+ individuals in Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web |last=moshood |date=2021-10-28 |title=Becoming Angel Maxine, Ghana's first openly transgender musician |url=https://africanarguments.org/2021/10/becoming-angel-maxine-ghana-first-openly-transgender-musician/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=African Arguments |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-14 |title=Ghanaians condemn my hit song because it rebukes their 'hate' for gays – Transgender artiste, Angel Maxine - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghanaians-condemn-my-hit-song-because-it-rebukes-their-hate-for-gays-transgender-artiste-angel-maxine/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-07-30 |title=Ghana's first openly trans musician fights homophobia with song |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ghana-lgbt-idINL4N2P433Y |access-date=2022-09-17}}</ref>
== Discography == ===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Artist |- |2012 |Uncle Obama |Sister Deborah ft <small>(FOKN Bois)</small> |- |2015 |''Kikoliko'' |Sister Deborah ft <small>(Joey B)</small><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dwomoh |first=Bright |date=2015-11-24 |title=Sister Deborah – Kikoliko (ft Joey B) - GhanaSongs.com - Ghana Music Downloads |url=https://www.ghanasong.com/sister-deborah-kikoliko-ft-joey-b/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207064515/https://www.ghanasong.com/sister-deborah-kikoliko-ft-joey-b/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adinkra |first=Fiifi |date=2015-11-23 |title=Sister Deborah – Kikoliko (Feat. Joey B) |url=https://ghanandwom.net/sister-deborah-kikoliko-feat-joey-b/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=GhanaNdwom.net |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mawuli |first=David |date=2015-11-23 |title=Sister Deborah - Kikoliko feat. Joey B |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/music/music-video-sister-deborah-kikoliko-feat-joey-b/ltljjnh |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Pulse Ghana |language=en}}</ref> |- |2016 |Ghana Jollof |Sister Deborah<ref name=":3" /> |- |2017 |''Sampanana'' |Sister Deborah ft <small>(Medikal)</small><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-01 |title=Sister Debora and Medikal release 'Sampanana' |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Sister-Debora-and-Medikal-releases-Sampanana-524450 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-03 |title=They're Back! Sister Deborah Drops 'Sampanana' Music Video Featuring Boyfriend, Medikal {{!}} AmeyawDebrah.com |url=https://ameyawdebrah.com/theyre-back-sister-deborah-drops-sampanana-music-video-featuring-boyfriend-medikal/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2018 |Pure Water |Sister Deborah ft <small>(Efya)</small><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-09 |title=Sister Deborah shares new music video 'Pure Water' featuring Efya |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Sister-Deborah-shares-new-music-video-Pure-Water-featuring-Efya-666935 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranger |first=Lone |date=2018-05-23 |title=Sister Deborah ft Efya - Pure Water (Prod. by Jeri Beatz) |url=https://www.dcleakers.com/sister-deborah-ft-efya-pure-water-prod-by-jeri-beatz/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526185024/http://www.dcleakers.com/sister-deborah-ft-efya-pure-water-prod-by-jeri-beatz |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 May 2018 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=DCLeakers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Music |first=Worla Quist, Ghana |date=2018-05-28 |title=Audio: Pure Water by Sister Deborah feat. Efya |url=https://www.ghanamusic.com/news/top-stories/2018/05/28/audio-pure-water-by-sister-deborah-feat-efya/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Ghana Music}}</ref> |- |2018 |''Kakalika'' Love |Sister Deborah ft (Efo Chameleon)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sister Derby joins top trends with 'Kakalika Love' |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Sister-Derby-joins-top-trends-with-Kakalika-Love-700070?gallery=1 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=CratesHub |first=Alloh |title=Sister Deborah ft Efo Chameleon – Kakalika Love (Prod. by Jeribeatz) |url=https://www.crateshub.com/ghana-music/sister-deborah-ft-efo-chameleon-kakalika-love-prod-by-jeribeatz.html |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=CratesHub.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> |- |2019 |''Libilibi'' |Sister Deborah ft (Yaa Pono)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wonah |first=Israel |title=Sister Deborah - Libilibi ft Yaa Pono Mp3 Download » TrendyBeatz |url=https://trendybeatz.com/download-mp3/5127/sister-deborah-libilibi-ft-yaa-pono |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=trendybeatz.com |language=en}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Owusu-Bonsu, Deborah Vanessa}} Category:1984 births Category:Akan people Category:Living people Category:Ghanaian television presenters Category:Ghanaian female models Category:21st-century Ghanaian musicians Category:Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology alumni Category:Alumni of the University of the Arts London Category:Ghanaian people of Romanian descent Category:Romanian people of Ghanaian descent Category:Ghanaian women academics Category:Ghanaian women television presenters Category:Wesley Girls' Senior High School alumni Category:Romanian LGBTQ rights activists Category:21st-century women academics Category:21st-century Ghanaian women musicians Category:Ghanaian academics Category:21st-century scholars