An international relations student at Cumbria University, Rumzia Sule, has been officially crowned Miss Ghana 2026, emerging victorious over 12 other contestants to claim the coveted national title.
The grand finale of the 69th edition, held under the theme “Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy,” saw the University of Ghana graduate Fatimatu Zara Ishacu finish as the first runner-up and Whitney Opoku Nketia was adjudged the second runner-up. Anita Dankwa and Nedlyn Appiah won 3rd and 4th runners-up respectively.
Other awards, such as Miss Fitness, Miss Talent, Miss Eloquent, Most Beautiful Skin, Miss Congeniality, Most Disciplined, and Miss Photogenic, went to Nedlyn Appiah, Lucille Akua Oputa-Otutu, Davinia Owusu Kuffuor, Lawrencia Serwaa Amankwa, Fatimatu Zara Ishacu, Anita Appiah, and Whitney Opoku Nketia, in that order. Rumzia also won the Beauty with The Purpose award.
Unlike previous editions, this year’s pageant adopted a strategic, scaled-down format. Shifting away from traditional pomp and pageantry, to a more personal and community skills development theme. The final selection was held at the Oak Plaza Hotel in Accra before an elite panel of judges, relatives of contestants amongst others present to witness the historic occasion.
According to the organisers, Exclusive Events Ghana and the Miss Ghana Foundation, the format change was a deliberate choice, as part of preparations towards the upcoming milestone for the brand both nationally and internationally ie next year’s landmark 70th, in Ghana and this year’s 75th Anniversaries, internationally.
“We made a deliberate choice this year,” stated the organisers. “We did not want to be only entertainment focused but more of the personal and corporate development skills. This platform has always been, and will always be, about beauty with a purpose, tangible impact, and an enduring legacy. This crown is not simply an honour; it is a profound responsibility.”
Despite the cozy setting of the coronation, the finalists underwent the full, rigorous pageant journey following nationwide auditions on June 27, 2026. The young women participated in intensive, weeks-long mentorship, leadership, and entrepreneurship program designed to test their resilience, empathy, discipline, and professionalism.
The comprehensive training curriculum included: Financial Literacy & Sustainability: Facilitated by Fidelity Bank, Identity, Poise, and Leadership: Coached by Ivana Annan, Chief Executive Officer of Ivana Couture, Personal Branding & Media Excellence: Led by Dr Ike Tandoh (Founder & CEO of 1PR Communications and Dean of Students at UniMAC-GIJ) at the Honeysuckle Restaurant in Labone, Movement & Flexibility: Taught by Dr Terry Bright Kweku Ofosu, Head of the Department of Dance Studies at the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts and the 1989 Ghana National Dance Champion, Fitness & Mental Well-being: By Philippa Pepera, the Director at Pippa’s Health Centre, Etiquette, and Personal Development with topics like Balance in Life, The importance of soft skills (communication, time management), Resilience, Emotions Financial Literacy and Discipline with Jennifer Agyemang, Founder of Amazing U.
To further inspire the contestants, the cohort toured the Despite Automobile Museum in East Legon, learning from the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of businessman Dr Osei Kwame Despite to reinforce resilience in the face of challenges.
True to the pageant’s core mission, these lessons were translated into nationwide social intervention projects. Through the Miss Ghana Foundation’s Beauty with a Purpose initiative, the contestants led a youth mentorship program at Martey Tsuru Presbyterian JHS in Accra, impacting over 300 pupils with sessions on patriotism, civic responsibility, and resilience.
Furthermore, the contestants demonstrated their commitment to national development by rolling up their sleeves for the National Clean-Up Exercise, supporting President John Dramani Mahama’s call to restore cleanliness across Ghana by desilting choked gutters in parts of Accra. The Foundation emphasised that these outreach programs were vital evaluation tools used to identify a queen who genuinely embodies compassion and a willingness to serve society beyond the glamour of the stage.
The outcome was determined by a combination of the preliminary journey, which accounted for a massive 80% of the total score, and the public vote, which made up the remaining 20%. However, organisers indicated that a key turning point was the final presentations, where each finalist took the stage one last time to pitch her 12-month vision for driving social impact through the Miss Ghana Foundation. Rumzia’s exceptional public speaking and commanding vision ultimately separated her from the field.
As the newly minted Miss Ghana 2026, Rumzia will now begin preparations to represent the nation on the international stage at the upcoming Miss World pageant in Vietnam.