Nana Konadu Nhyiraba Obeng has become the first contestant from the Bono Region to win Ghana’s Most Beautiful, ending a 20-year wait with a powerful opening performance about identity, heritage and the prejudice faced by people because of their accent.
The 20-year-old from Dormaa Ahenkro claimed the title at the grand final on Sunday, October 18, 2026, after defeating Sessinam, Ampomaa, Tiwaa, Lamiley and Ayinbomaa.
Her performance challenged the mockery of the Bono accent and argued that the way people speak should never be used to judge their intelligence or worth.
“You have heard our songs and laughed, and sung along. But have you ever sat to wonder how the people feel when our accent and language are constantly the subject of mockery and ridicule?” she asked.
“Our voice and accent should not be used to mock us and serve as a means of entertainment,” Konadu said, before asking: “You have heard how we speak, but have you ever listened to what we have to say?”
She highlighted the experience of young girls who know the answers in class but stay silent because they fear being laughed at. She said some are mocked for their pronunciation, including expressions such as “bɛɛbɛ”, and urged them not to allow laughter to silence them.
Konadu called on the people of Bono to take pride in their language, culture, history and heritage. She referred to the ancient Bono Kingdom and Bono Manso, as well as the region’s historic links with trading centres including Djenne, Gao and Timbuktu.
She also mentioned Wenchi, the home town of Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, Ghana’s Prime Minister during the Second Republic, and Berekum-born footballer Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, whose decisive penalty helped Ghana win the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“Is this a region you should judge because of how we sound?” she asked.
Referring to a top-performing student from Notre Dame Senior High School, she added: “Maybe history will not be enough, so let me let the facts speak.”
“You cannot in any way use our accent to define our intellectual capacity or our mental acuity.”
Agriculture formed another important part of her message. Bono is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s food baskets, with farmers helping feed households across the country.
“That farmer you are laughing at is probably the one who puts food on your table. Why should you be ashamed of the hands that put food on your table?” she said.
She also invoked the Adinkra symbols associated with Ghana’s cultural heritage and the tradition linked to Nana Adinkra.
“I came here to change a narrative. I came here to tell you that we are proud of the accent we carry because it in no way defines who we are as a people,” Konadu said.
“Behind every accent is a human being, behind every language and voice is a heritage, and behind every stereotype is a story waiting to be told.”
Her delivery drew loud cheers from the audience. Linda Ampah, GMB’s longest-serving judge, praised her confidence, control, stage presence and gracious appearance.
A former student of Wesley Girls’ High School, Konadu is a Level 400 Communication and Media Studies student at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The opening act helped establish the tone for her final-night campaign, but her victory also depended on securing enough votes and producing a strong overall performance.
Sssinam was the first runner-up and received GHC100,000. Ampomaa finished third, winning GHC50,000 and sponsors’ souvenirs.
Konadu received a GH₵200,000 cash prize, an MG ZS Deluxe Edition vehicle, the bragging right and other benefits accompanying the ultimate prize.
Her victory gave Bono Region its first Ghana’s Most Beautiful queen and turned her personal ambition into a moment of collective pride.
