Benkadi Kurubi Festival 2025: Hajia Adiza Baba Issah Installed as Wangara Benkadi Queenmother of Ghana
Friday, 28th November 2025, will remain a defining moment in the history of the Wangara people of Ghana as Hajia Adiza Baba Issah was formally approved and installed as the Wangara Benkadi Queenmother of Ghana.
The historic ceremony took place at the Kintampo Wangara Palace during the highly revered Benkadi Kurubi Festival 2025, a celebration that symbolizes peace, unity and cultural identity among the Wangara people.
The colourful event brought together traditional rulers, Islamic clerics, queenmothers, community leaders, women’s groups and invited dignitaries from across the country, all witnessing a significant transition in traditional leadership.
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 customary rites, conferred the revered title on Hajia Adiza Baba Issah. The ceremony officially ushered her into office as a custodian of Wangara culture and a symbol of peace and unity.
In his address, HRM Amb. Nana Yussif Coulibaly Fanyinamah III described the installation as a carefully considered decision based on merit, competence and long-standing service to society.
He explained that the Benkadi institution represents peacebuilding, social cohesion and moral leadership, stressing that Hajia Adiza Baba Issah’s extensive background in leadership, education and women advocacy makes her well suited to advance these values within the Wangara community and beyond.
Hajia Adiza Baba Issah brings to the throne a distinguished record of academic achievement 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 reflect her strong foundation in leadership, management and development planning.
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), where she supports national efforts to preserve and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
At the international and national advocacy level, Hajia Adiza Baba Issah is the National Head of Islamic Queen Mothers under the United Nations Peace Ambassadors Foundation (UN-PAF), championing peacebuilding, dialogue and women’s empowerment.
She is 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), advocating for the welfare, leadership and socio-economic advancement of Muslim women nationwide. 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 installed Wangara Benkadi Queenmother expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Overlord, the Wangara Traditional Council and all stakeholders for the confidence reposed in her. She pledged to use her new role 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 evolving role of accomplished women in traditional leadership.
Many observers believe her reign will further strengthen the Benkadi institution as a bridge between tradition, peacebuilding and modern development, while inspiring a new generation of women leaders across Ghana.
