Raquel returns as Elia-Naa after eight years

After eight years away from the spotlight, Ghanaian singer Raquel, best known for her hit song Sweetio, is returning to music with a new name, a new mindset and a renewed sense of purpose.

Now known as Elia-Naa, the singer said the name marks a clean slate and a bold new chapter in her personal and musical journey.

In an exclusive interview, Elia-Naa reflected on her years away from the industry, revealing how she traded the stage for the classroom while living in the UK.

“For the past eight years, I have been working as a full-time supply teacher in primary schools across the UK. I also taught music occasionally and worked as a teaching assistant for children with special needs. I absolutely love it, I love children,” she shared.

During her time away, Elia-Naa said she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

“I have spent a lot of time getting to know myself. Many people do not really know who they are or what they stand for. Taking time to reflect, isolate, restart and reload has refreshed my life in ways I never imagined,” she said.

Faith, she added, played a defining role in her transformation.

“I have been studying the Bible more deeply. It is not just a religious book, it is full of history and self-help. It has worked for me and guided me through this journey of rediscovery,” she noted.

Now stepping back into the music scene, Elia-Naa admits the transition will take time, but she is embracing the process with patience and trust.

“I am leaving it all to God. I have been away for a long time, so yes, it is going to take a while to get the hang of things again. But every artist makes their mark in their own way and in God’s time. I choose to be a winner. Even if my music only touches ten people, that is still purpose fulfilled. Right now, I do not have a label; it is just me, myself and I. Let us see where God takes me,” she said.

For Raquel, the change to Elia-Naa is far more than rebranding; it reflects who she has become.

“I no longer connected with Raquel. In Spanish, it means ‘female sheep’, and that was not me anymore. I wanted a name that mirrors my journey, my faith and the fact that God has always answered my prayers,” the artiste explained.

The name Elia-Naa carries both biblical and cultural significance. “Naa” comes from her Ga name, Naa Ayorkor, meaning “princess” or “queen”, while “Elia” was inspired by a biblical reference she discovered with her cousin, Ezekiel

Although she stepped back from the limelight, Elia-Naa never fully left music. Over the years, she quietly released a few songs on YouTube and social media.

Now, Elia-Naa is preparing to officially relaunch her career with a new EP and a sophomore album, following her 2012 debut album @25.

Her comeback, she insists, is more than a musical return; it is a rebirth.

 “This time, it is all about purpose, growth and faith,” the artiste stressed.