GLOBAL PHILANTHROPIST DR. CHERYL POLOTE WILLIAMSON MAKES HISTORY AS SHE IS ENSTOOLED AS A QUEEN MOTHER IN GHANA, MAKING HER ONE OF ONLY A FEW AMERICAN WOMEN TO RECEIVE THE TITLE

Now Known as Nana Aba Kwekuwah Somah I, Polote Williamson Was Also Appointed GHATOF Tourism Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs; She Also Led a Business Delegation of 20 Women from the United States to Ghana

ACCRA, GHANA, Sept. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a beautiful cultural celebration, Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson was enstooled this week by the Anona Royal Family as Nana Aba Kwekuwah Somah I, Queen Mother of Development for the Abura Odonase traditional area. In a royal ceremony attended by the entire Abura Odonase community, the Omanhen of Abura State, Emintsinminim Otu XI, sent more than 25 divisional chiefs and queen mothers, led by Nana Tsipo Amanfo of Abura, to perform the coronation.

Dressed in the traditional regalia of Ghana’s Central Coast region, Polote Williamson was lifted and carried into the ceremony, followed by hundreds of people from the village in a parade-style processional. The ceremony included musical and dance performances by the community’s youth, as well as speeches and rituals. Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson’s role as Queen Mother is an active one. During the enstoolment and swearing-in ceremony as Nana Aba Kwekuwah Somah I, she outlined her 12-point strategic plan for her continued work in and support of Ghana, especially her efforts to create opportunities and resources for women, children and youth. Dr. Polote Williamson has already begun implementing the plan, which includes a project to renovate the village school.

“Creating the space and opportunity for our children to dream isn’t just an ideal; it is our shared responsibility. When we widen their horizons and clear the path before them, we allow them to discover the endless possibilities of who they can become,” said Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson. “As our elders say, ‘If you can see it, you can be it.’ Let us give the next generation the vision, confidence and room to rise.”

The coronation marks a significant milestone in the deepening ties between the African diaspora and the Ghanaian homeland and further underscores the strong working relationship between GHATOF and the traditional leadership of Abura Odonase in advancing Ghana's diaspora engagement and heritage tourism agenda.

Just a few days before the enstoolment, Dr. Polote Williamson was appointed the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) Tourism Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs by Seth Ocran, president of GHATOF, in recognition of her commitment to strengthening ties between Ghana and the diaspora. In this role, she is responsible for championing diaspora tourism, investment and cultural exchange initiatives between Ghana and the United States, working closely with the Federation and its network of member associations.

In her first official capacity in this role, she welcomed 20 women from across the United States, representing a diverse range of business experience, as members of the U.S.-Ghana Business Delegation. An integral part of the delegation’s visit was the inaugural Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson Business and Cultural Summit on Monday, September 14. The summit oriented the 20-member delegation and provided opportunities for its members to immerse themselves in Ghana’s business and cultural ethos. Presentations were made by the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Presidency, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Real Estate Agency Council, the National Commission on Culture and the Ghana Tourism Federation.

Nana Kyere Agyermang, Esq from The Diaspora Affairs Office reiterated Ghana’s position as the Center of the World, explaining that “the coordinates confirm it: the exact intersection of the Prime Meridian (Longitude 0°) and the Equator (Latitude 0°) lies in the Atlantic Ocean at coordinates 0.0. Ghana is recognized as the closest habitable landmass to this exact (0,0) intersection.” He further shared the opportunities and requirements for dual citizenship. He also explained how Ghana regularly confers citizenship on members of the historic African diaspora through executive-led naturalization initiatives. The latest ceremony took place in March 2026, when 150 new diaspora citizens were granted Ghanaian citizenship, bringing the total number of people granted citizenship under the program to nearly 1,000 since its inception in 2016.

Cherk Klutse from Ghana Investment and Promotion Authority spoke on the process for business regulation, partnership requirements, and the vetting process.

Emmanuel Jeffrey, acting chief executive officer of the Real Estate Agency Council, outlined the path to ownership and the regulations governing the licensing of real estate agencies and transactions involving leases and property purchases in Ghana. Wakefield Ackuako, acting executive director of the National Commission on Culture, welcomed the delegation with the warmth and hospitality for which Ghanaians are known. “When Ghanaians smile, they mean it. I am sure you have witnessed the phenomenon accepted worldwide as Ghanaian hospitality,” he shared.

Seth Ocran, president of the Ghana Tourism Federation, concluded the Business and Cultural Summit by encouraging continued partnership between Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson’s 20-member U.S. Business Delegation and Ghana. “Together, as we build the tourism and hospitality industry in Ghana, everything is possible,” he stated.

Under Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson’s leadership, and with travel sponsored and directed by YOKS Travel, the 20-member U.S. Business Delegation spent seven days visiting Accra and the Central Region of Ghana. The delegation visited several important local and cultural sites, including the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre and Elmina Castle, and contributed more than $200,000 to the local economy.

The 20-member U.S.-Ghana Business Delegation has already begun partnering with and contributing to the region. Delegation members made contributions to Dr. Polote Williamson’s nonprofit, Soul Reborn, which delivered sanitary napkins and Liberty Cards to children and youth in the Accra community this week. Dr. Polote Williamson will return to Ghana in October to advance plans for the ICT Center in Abura Odonase and foster relationships with students at the Osu Presbyterian Girls’ School. While in Accra, she will also share the purpose and benefits of Liberty Cards with four additional schools.

In her dual roles as Queen Mother of Development for the Abura Odonase traditional area and Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) Tourism Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Polote Williamson will lead another group to Ghana in March 2027 to celebrate Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence. She also welcomes additional partners to join the philanthropic work she is continuing in Ghana. Key areas in need of support and resources include sanitary products, hardware and software for the ICT Center, library books, desks, uniforms and funding for infrastructure throughout Abura Odonase.

To learn more and join this historic, impactful work, please visit www.soulreborn.org.

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Select Photos link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/15lr1ekao3p7gbwvb9ymr/AEAv7VKR6PpjNXQA7qgxMA8?rlkey=8dvwywkmdopwrcqbwquxcemdn&st=b04lx20u&dl=0
Photo credit: YOKS
*B-Roll available upon request

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
 Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson is available for media features and interviews.

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Attachments

• Global philanthropist Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson
• Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson enstooled as Nana Aba Kwekuwah Somah I

Kayla Tucker Adams
KTA Media Group
2144039852
info@kaylatuckeradams.com