What comes to mind when you think of a welder? For many people, it might be a man working behind a welding mask, sparks flying as metal takes shape. But for Rita Ohenewaa Asimpah, welding is more than a trade traditionally associated with men. It is a passion, a business and an opportunity to create solutions that make life better.
Founder of Fabri-Tec Impressions Limited, Rita is building her career in welding and metal fabrication while pursuing an MPhil in Intellectual Property at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST).
Her passion for technical craftsmanship began in childhood and shaped her educational journey from Technical Design and Visual Arts to KNUST, where she had her undergraduate education in B.A. Integrated Rural Art and Industry, majoring in welding and metal fabrication.
For Rita, however, the business is about more than producing metalwork. It is about demonstrating what is possible when technical skills meet creativity and determination.
Working in a male-dominated industry has not always been easy. Rita said people sometimes question her abilities simply because she is a woman, with some doubting whether she can deliver the same quality of work as her male counterparts.
“Immediately I tell people that I'm a welder, they kind of doubt my ability,” she said.
Rather than allow these perceptions to discourage her, she remains focused on the quality of her work and the practical problems she can solve through her skills.
For Rita, success also means helping others acquire the skills to create opportunities for themselves. In 2025, she started a skills-training initiative for young people, with particular attention to increasing female participation in welding and metal fabrication.
“I've always wanted to be part of people's success stories by way of giving back to society,” she explained. ‘‘This initiative has provided practical training for young people, including junior and senior high school students, and even University students serving as interns and I will continue to welcome learners interested in developing technical skills.’’
Her goal, she said, is to help them become more self-reliant, pursue employment or establish their own businesses.
Balancing postgraduate studies alongside a business that requires considerable time, energy and attention has tested her ability to manage competing responsibilities.
‘‘I have learnt that careful time management, particularly when academic commitments coincide with client deadlines are essential to keeping both my studies and business moving forward.
Despite the demands, Rita continues to pursue both ambitions. Her experience has shaped her advice to students who aspire to become entrepreneurs.
“If you are a student and you have an entrepreneurial mindset, do not wait until graduation to begin, I think the time starts now,” she advises.
She encourages students to acquire practical skills alongside their academic qualifications, arguing that these can help them become self-sufficient and create opportunities even when formal employment is not readily available.
“Even if you want to work for someone, at least you should get something doing with your hands,” she said.
Although Rita began taking on client projects in her first year at the University, she formally registered her company in 2023 during her final year. Today, Fabri-Tec Impressions offers custom and industrial fabrication, automotive metalwork, agricultural machinery, furniture, signage and CNC routing services. Its work ranges from tables, chairs, dining sets, shelves and wardrobes to gates, containers, agricultural equipment and customised signage.
