Wiyaala Crowned Fugu Queen at Wa East Ceremony
The Upper West Regional capital of Funsi came alive with culture, music and celebration as renowned Ghanaian musician Noella Wiyaala was officially unveiled as Fugu Queen and Tourism Ambassador for Ghana during a colourful ceremony attended by government officials, traditional leaders and residents.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described the occasion as a proud moment for the country and Northern Ghana in particular.
“This day has been long in coming. As we celebrate a remarkable artiste, let us take the opportunity to also celebrate our beautiful culture, identity, resilience and the rich heritage of the northern part of Ghana,” she said.
The minister praised Wiyaala for using music, fashion and performance to project Ghanaian culture onto the global stage while remaining connected to her roots. She noted that the artiste had consistently promoted Fugu long before it gained mainstream popularity.
“She has used music, fashion and performance to project the beauty of our traditions to the world. More importantly, she has remained deeply connected to her roots and committed to uplifting her people and especially our children,” Dzifa Gomashie stated.
She further urged Ghanaians to support locally made products, particularly Fugu and other indigenous textiles, stressing their economic and cultural importance.
“Every thread woven into Fugu tells a story, our story, and our resilience as a people,” she added.
Responding to the honour, Wiyaala expressed appreciation to the minister and pledged to uphold the responsibility that comes with the title.
“I have accepted this title, this honour, and I will not disappoint you. I’ll make the whole town proud,” she said.
The District Chief Executive for Wa East, Adamu Shayibu, also highlighted the district’s strong cultural identity and called for greater opportunities for young talents in the area.
The ceremony reinforced Wa East’s reputation as a centre of Ghanaian culture and marked a significant milestone in Wiyaala’s growing role as a cultural ambassador for the nation.
