New Wangara Benkadi Queenmother, Hajia Adiza Baba Issah, Pledges to Promote Peace, Unity and Women Empowerment
Friday, 28th November 2025, marked a historic milestone for the Wangara people of Ghana as Hajia Adiza Baba Issah was formally approved and installed as the Wangara Benkadi Queenmother of Ghana. The grand ceremony was held at the Kintampo Wangara Palace during the highly revered Benkadi Kurubi Festival 2025, attracting traditional rulers, Islamic clerics, queenmothers, opinion leaders, women’s groups and invited dignitaries from across the country.
The installation was officiated by the Overlord of the Wangara People in Ghana, His Royal Majesty Amb. Nana Yussif Coulibaly Fanyinamah III, who, through solemn traditional rites, conferred the revered title on Hajia Adiza Baba Issah, officially ushering her into office as a custodian of Wangara culture, peace and unity.
Addressing the gathering, HRM Amb. Nana Yussif Coulibaly Fanyinamah III described the enstoolment as a carefully considered decision anchored in merit, competence and dedicated service. He explained that the Benkadi institution represents peacebuilding, social cohesion and moral leadership, adding that Hajia Adiza Baba Issah’s extensive experience in leadership, education and women advocacy makes her uniquely positioned to advance these ideals among the Wangara people and the wider Ghanaian society.
Hajia Adiza Baba Issah brings to the throne a rich blend of academic excellence and public service. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Supply Chain Management, a Degree in Entrepreneurship, and a Diploma in Marketing, qualifications that underscore her strong background in leadership, management and development planning.
She currently serves as Deputy Director of Muslim Family Counselling Services, where she contributes to strengthening family structures and promoting social harmony. She is also a Member of the Governing Board of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), where she actively supports efforts to promote and preserve Ghana’s rich cultural heritage at the national level.
On the international front, Hajia Adiza Baba Issah is the National Head of Islamic Queen Mothers under the United Nations Peace Ambassadors Foundation (UN-PAF), a role through which she champions peacebuilding, dialogue and women’s empowerment. She is an Ex-officio Member of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Ghana (FOMWAG) and serves as Second Vice President of the Ghana Muslim Ladies Association (GMLA), advocating for the welfare, leadership and socio-economic advancement of Muslim women across the country. In addition, she is a Part-Time Lecturer at Accra Technical University, where she contributes to academic development and mentors young professionals.
In her acceptance speech, the newly crowned Wangara Benkadi Queenmother expressed profound gratitude to the Overlord, the Wangara Traditional Council and all stakeholders for the confidence reposed in her. She pledged to use her position to promote peace, strengthen unity among the Wangara people, empower women and youth, and support initiatives that advance education, cultural preservation and sustainable development.
The installation of Hajia Adiza Baba Issah has been widely hailed as a powerful affirmation of the growing role of accomplished women in traditional leadership. Many believe her reign will further strengthen the Benkadi institution as a vital bridge between tradition, peacebuilding and modern development, while inspiring a new generation of women leaders across Ghana.
