Hajia Adiza Baba Issah Installed as Wangara Benkadi Queenmother of Ghana

On Friday, 28th November 2025, history was made at the Kintampo Wangara Palace when Hajia Adiza Baba Issah was officially approved and installed as the new Wangara Benkadi Queenmother of Ghana. The colourful and culturally rich ceremony took place during the Benkadi Kurubi Festival 2025, a revered festival of the Wangara people that celebrates unity, peace, and heritage.

The installation was performed by the Overlord of the Wangara People in Ghana, His Royal Majesty Amb. Nana Yussif Coulibaly Fanyinamah III, in the presence of traditional authorities, Islamic leaders, queenmothers, youth groups, women’s associations, and invited dignitaries from across the country. The event marked a significant milestone in the leadership history of the Wangara people, as Hajia Adiza Baba Issah formally assumed her role as a key custodian of culture, peace, and women’s leadership.

In his address, HRM Amb. Nana Yussif Coulibaly Fanyinamah III described the installation as timely and strategic, noting that Hajia Adiza Baba Issah’s background in leadership, education, and community service makes her well suited to champion the ideals of Benkadi, which emphasize peacebuilding, unity, and social cohesion among the Wangara people and the wider Ghanaian society.

Hajia Adiza Baba Issah brings to the throne an impressive blend of academic excellence and practical leadership experience. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Supply Chain Management, a Degree in Entrepreneurship, and a Diploma in Marketing, credentials that reflect her strong grounding in management, innovation, and strategic planning.

Professionally, she serves as Deputy Director of Muslim Family Counselling Services, where she contributes to strengthening family systems and promoting social harmony. She is also a Member of the Governing Board of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), having been sworn in to help advance Ghana’s cultural preservation agenda through her experience and advocacy.

Her influence extends to national and international peacebuilding platforms. She is the National Head of Islamic Queen Mothers under the United Nations Peace Ambassadors Foundation (UN-PAF), where she plays a leading role in promoting peace, dialogue, and women’s empowerment. Additionally, she serves as an Ex-officio Member of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Ghana (FOMWAG) and the Second Vice President of the Ghana Muslim Ladies Association (GMLA), positions through which she continues to champion the rights, welfare, and leadership of Muslim women.

Beyond her advocacy and traditional responsibilities, Hajia Adiza Baba Issah is also a Part-Time Lecturer at Accra Technical University, contributing to academic development and mentoring the next generation of professionals.

In her acceptance speech, the newly installed Queenmother expressed gratitude to the Overlord of the Wangara People, the traditional council, and all stakeholders for the confidence reposed in her. She pledged to use her position to promote peace, strengthen cultural values, empower women and youth, and support development initiatives within the Wangara communities and beyond.

The installation of Hajia Adiza Baba Issah as Wangara Benkadi Queenmother of Ghana is widely seen as a powerful symbol of the growing role of educated and accomplished women in traditional leadership, reinforcing the bridge between culture, development, and modern governance.