Who is Nana Konadu? Meet the 20-year-old who made GMB history for the Bono Region

Nana Konadu Nhyiraba Obeng is the first contestant from the Bono Region to win the Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) crown in the pageant’s 20-year history. The 20-year-old from Dormaa Ahenkro made history on October 18, 2026, ending the region’s long wait for the coveted title.

A former student of Wesley Girls’ High School, popularly known as Wey Gey Hey, Konadu is currently a Level 400 student of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

Away from the spotlight, she is calm and composed. However, on stage, she transforms into a confident and expressive performer, sometimes referring to herself as the “beast”—a reflection of the boldness and determination she brings to her performances.

Deeply rooted in culture, Konadu believes in discipline, hard work, and integrity. These values have shaped her journey through the competition, where she consistently sought to use her performances to educate, entertain, and celebrate Ghanaian heritage.

Her ability to connect history, food, cocoa, and tourism became one of the defining features of her campaign. She presented culture as more than tradition, showing how it connects communities to their history, livelihoods, and identity.

Konadu’s determination earned her recognition as Best Model of the Night during Fashion Night before she went on to win the Star Performer award on Week 10’s One Africa Night, strengthening her position as one of the competition’s leading contenders.

During One Africa Night, she represented Côte d’Ivoire, exploring its shared Akan roots with Ghana. Her performance featured the story of Queen Abla Pokou, alongside the country’s football culture and the energetic dance rhythms of Coupé-Décalé.

At the grand finale, she delivered a powerful opening performance celebrating the Bono Region’s history, achievements, language, and cultural identity. She challenged the ridicule directed at the Bono accent, insisting that the way people speak should never be used to judge their intelligence or worth.

Her message resonated with the audience, particularly her call for young people to embrace their identity and never allow mockery to silence them. The performance drew loud cheers and reinforced her reputation as a contestant who could combine confidence with meaningful storytelling.

Beyond pageantry, Konadu has interests in business, influencing, and television presenting and hosting.

Her project, Rising Phoenix, aims to create platforms and opportunities for single mothers and their children through skills development, vocational training, and mentorship programs, empowering them to build better and more sustainable futures.

She received a GH₵200,000 cash prize, an MG ZS Deluxe Edition vehicle, and other benefits. More importantly, she made history as the first contestant from the Bono Region to win the Ghana’s Most Beautiful crown, giving her people a moment of immense pride and earning her the title of GMB @ 20 Legacy Queen.