Nana Yaa Brefo is one of Ghana’s most celebrated and outspoken broadcast journalists and television personalities.
Known popularly as “The Iron Lady” and “Nana Yaa plain plain,” she has built a formidable reputation across Ghana’s competitive media landscape through decades of fearless, fact-driven reporting.
Whether anchoring hard-hitting morning shows or reporting on political developments, Nana Yaa Brefo has consistently proven herself as a frontline voice in Ghanaian media.
Profile Details
| Full Name | Deborah Nana Yaa Brefo Danso |
| Born | December 31, 1977 |
| Age | 47 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Sekondi-Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana |
| State of Origin | Ashanti Region (Ancestral); Western Region (Birth) |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Occupation | Broadcast Journalist, Radio/TV Presenter, Entrepreneur |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Parents | Late Mr. Rexford Kwaku Brefo (Father); Madam Dorothy Addei Brefo (Mother) |
| Siblings | 4 siblings (2 brothers, 2 sisters) – she is the last born |
| Spouse | Married (Husband resides in the United States) |
| Children | 1 son |
| Net Worth | Estimated $400,000 |
Early Life
Deborah Nana Yaa Brefo was born on December 31, 1977, in Sekondi-Takoradi, in Ghana’s Western Region. She is a full-blooded Asante; her mother hails from Ejuratia and her father from Nsuta, both towns in the Ashanti region. She is the last born among five children of the late Mr. Rexford Kwaku Brefo and Madam Dorothy Addei Brefo. According to Nana Yaa, her father chose to drop the name “Deborah” from her name during her childhood, and she never used it in school. Growing up in Takoradi, she was surrounded by a large and vibrant family. Her father’s Asante roots gave her a strong connection to Kumasi and its culture, though she would later move to Accra to pursue higher education and her professional dreams. As a child, she had a fascination for public speaking, a trait that would eventually steer her towards journalism.
Education
Nana Yaa Brefo completed her Junior High School education at Ridge International School in Sekondi-Takoradi. She later moved to Accra and pursued a course in Journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), which she attended from 2000 to 2002. During her final year at GIJ, she was required to complete a six-month compulsory internship attachment, which gave her hands-on exposure at media houses including the Statesman newspaper, TV3, and Peace FM. These early experiences shaped her journalistic instincts and love for broadcasting. She later furthered her studies at the University of Media Arts and Communications (UniMac), formerly known as the Ghana Institute of Journalism, continuing to deepen her professional knowledge.
Career
Nana Yaa Brefo began her media career even before she completed her studies at GIJ. She secured a position with the Despite Media Group, where she worked at Peace FM as a producer. In her early days, she produced shows for top journalists including Kwame Sefa Kayi and Afia Konadu. Though she was primarily a behind-the-scenes producer and editor, a pivotal moment came when she was asked to read the Twi news, a task that was initially outside her comfort zone. She fumbled during her first live radio report and famously hung up the phone mid-broadcast, but that experience taught her resilience.
She gradually transitioned from production to on-air presenting, becoming a prominent voice on Peace FM before joining the Multimedia Group’s Adom FM/TV, where she co-hosted morning programs and carved out a niche as a tough, unrelenting political commentator. One of her most notable programs at Multimedia was the BADWAM show on Adom TV, where she was known as the “speak your mind lady.”
In 2023, Nana Yaa Brefo joined the Angel Broadcasting Network (ABN), where she served as co-host of the popular morning show “Anopa Bofuo” on Angel FM 102.9 and also hosted Ghana Apaawa on Angel TV. She additionally served as Head of News TV at Angel FM/TV. However, she later disclosed that she felt underutilized at Angel FM she was not given regular programmes to host and was briefly placed on the evening shift, contrary to her identity as a morning show presenter. She subsequently resigned from ABN in December 2023.
On February 1, 2024, Nana Yaa Brefo officially joined Media General Ghana, where she became the host of the “Yen Nsempa” morning show on Onua 95.1 FM. The move was celebrated across the Ghanaian media space. In 2018, she was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate in Journalism and Humanity by Riches Theological University. Beyond journalism, she is also an entrepreneur, owning Nana’s Pizza & Food, Nana’s Delivery, and Nana’s Chop Bar in Accra.
In early 2026, Nana Yaa Brefo made headlines when she announced she had relocated to the United States and taken up work as an Uber driver to be close to her son, who required parental supervision. The revelation sparked widespread public debate about the state of journalism in Ghana. Social commentator Kevin Taylor reacted by offering her a car as a gift. She clarified that the move was family-driven, not financial.
Awards & Nominations
- Female TV Presenter of the Year – GN Bank Awards (2015)
- Most Popular Television Host of the Year – Television Ghana Awards (2014)
- Honorary Doctorate in Journalism and Humanity – Riches Theological University (2018)
Social Media
Nana Yaa Brefo is active on social media where she engages her large following with commentary on national issues, personal updates, and professional content.
- Facebook: Nana Yaa Brefo
- Instagram: @nanayaabrefo
- TikTok: Nana Yaa Brefo
Personal Life
Nana Yaa Brefo is a married woman whose husband resides in the United States of America, specifically in Maryland. The couple has one son who was attending a Senior High School in Kumasi. Nana Yaa has been very open about the challenges of raising a child while managing a high-profile media career. In 2026, she made the selfless decision to relocate to the US to be closer to her son during a critical period of his life, temporarily stepping away from her broadcasting career. She has previously spoken publicly about receiving threatening phone calls targeting her son due to her outspoken journalism. Despite these challenges, she has consistently maintained that she will not be silenced. Her mentor is Afia Konadu of the Multimedia Group, who helped her improve her fluency in the Twi language. She has also cited Oprah Winfrey as a global inspiration.
Net Worth
Nana Yaa Brefo’s estimated net worth is approximately $400,000. Her primary sources of income include her salary as a broadcast journalist, her entrepreneurial ventures Nana’s Pizza & Food, Nana’s Delivery, and Nana’s Chop Bar and other media engagements. While rumours placed her monthly salary at GH₵50,000, she categorically dismissed such claims as false, stating her actual earnings were far less. Her diverse income streams have however allowed her to build a solid financial base over the years.
FAQs
What is Nana Yaa Brefo’s real name?
Her full birth name is Deborah Nana Yaa Brefo Danso, though her father dropped “Deborah” from her name during childhood.
Where does Nana Yaa Brefo work now?
She most recently worked at Onua 95.1 FM under Media General Ghana before relocating to the United States in early 2026.
Is Nana Yaa Brefo married?
Yes, she is married. Her husband lives in the United States of America.
Does Nana Yaa Brefo have children?
Yes, she has one son.
What is Nana Yaa Brefo’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is approximately $400,000.
Conclusion
Nana Yaa Brefo stands as one of the most impactful female voices in Ghanaian media.
Her journey from a young girl in Takoradi to one of the country’s most recognized broadcast journalists is a story of grit, resilience, and unwavering commitment to speaking the truth.
Through stints at Despite Media Group, Multimedia’s Adom FM/TV, Angel Broadcasting Network, and Media General’s Onua FM, she has continuously reinvented herself while staying true to her identity as a fearless journalist.
Her decision to relocate to the United States to care for her son is a testament to the human side behind the “Iron Lady” persona. Whether on the airwaves or in entrepreneurship, Nana Yaa Brefo remains a formidable figure in Ghana’s public life.