Nigeria: Maame Esi Kodie crowned Miss Natural Beauty Ghana 2026
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
A 25-year-old Science Laboratory Technology student from Accra Technical University has been crowned Miss Natural Beauty Ghana 2026, with a message centered on self-acceptance, culture, and mental health for young women.
Maame Esi Kodie, a native of Prampram in the Greater Accra Region, beat eight other finalists to win the title at the grand finale held on Sunday, August 30, at the ETS Drama Studio, University of Ghana.
She was joined on the podium by 18-year-old Abena Oforiwa, an Information Technology student at Ghana Communication Technology University and native of Agbozume Klikor in the Volta Region, who placed first runner-up. Dede Kabukie, also 18 and from Ningo in the Greater Accra Region, emerged second runner-up.
Now in its third year since its maiden edition in August 2023, Miss Natural Beauty Ghana was created to celebrate African women’s natural features, culture, fashion, craftsmanship, and locally made beauty and wellness products.
“It’s really a mentoring process,” said Grace Ayishetu Hamidu-Musah, Director of Miss Natural Beauty Ghana and Miss Natural Beauty Africa. “We spend six to eight months with the contestants. We meet every week, and that gives us room to pour into their lives, inspire them and help them carry the message and brand of natural beauty forward.”
According to Hamidu-Musah, the pageant was born out of a need to restore the self-esteem of African women and push back against beauty standards, especially those amplified on social media, that pressure women to alter their appearance.
The platform also serves as a space for contestants to speak on issues affecting women. This year, finalists were required to present on topics ranging from skin bleaching to mental health, education, and entrepreneurship.
She had already won the Cultural Challenge and Social Media Challenge Cycle 2 earlier in the competition. Her final presentation focused on bleaching and the pressure many Ghanaian women face to lighten their skin tone to fit a certain ideal.
In her speech, she spoke about the health risks of bleaching and the emotional toll of feeling “not beautiful enough” in one’s natural skin. Judges said her delivery was confident, informed, and rooted in personal conviction.
“I want young girls to know that your melanin is enough,” she said after being crowned. “You don’t need to change who you are to be accepted or to be beautiful.”
Abena Oforiwa won the Public Speaking Challenge earlier in the pageant and impressed judges with her poise and advocacy for digital literacy among young women. Dede Kabukie stood out for her cultural presentation and community engagement project.
Another finalist, Awedana Nawuriyare, won Social Media Challenge Cycle 4 for her campaign promoting locally made skincare products.
For her win, Maame Esi Kodie receives a $1,500 cash prize, a feature as the next cover face of _Miss Natural Beauty Africa Magazine_, and an ambassadorial role with the brand for the next year.
As ambassador, she will lead outreach programs in schools and communities, focusing on body positivity, natural skincare, and entrepreneurship for young women.
First runner-up Abena Oforiwa receives $800, while second runner-up Dede Kabukie takes home $400. Both will also receive products and services from sponsors, and will work with the organization on mentorship and advocacy projects.
“A very big thank you to everyone who voted for me and supported me throughout this journey,” she said. “Your love and belief in me brought me this far, and I’m truly grateful. I promise to make you proud.”
The timing of the pageant comes as conversations around beauty standards in Ghana continue to grow. Dermatologists and health experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of skin bleaching, including skin cancer, kidney damage, and severe reactions.
Social media has added another layer, with filters and edited images creating what many young women describe as unattainable standards.
Miss Natural Beauty Ghana positions itself as a counterweight to that. By featuring contestants in their natural hair, minimal makeup, and traditional attire during parts of the competition, the pageant aims to normalize and celebrate African features.
Organizers also partner with local businesses that produce natural beauty and wellness products, giving finalists a chance to learn about entrepreneurship while promoting “Made in Ghana” brands.
With her new title, Maame Esi Kodie will represent Ghana at the Miss Natural Beauty Africa pageant later this year. She says she plans to use her platform to visit senior high schools and technical universities to talk to girls about confidence and career choices in STEM.
“I’m a science student,” she noted. “I want girls to see that you can be in the lab, you can be natural, and you can still be celebrated.”
Director Hamidu-Musah said the organization will continue to expand its mentorship model. “We are not just crowning a queen for one night. We are building women who will go out and lead in their communities,” she said.
The 2026 edition drew a full house at ETS Drama Studio, with parents, students, and beauty industry stakeholders in attendance. Organizers say interest in the pageant has grown each year, with more applications and more sponsors coming on board.
For many in the audience, the message was clear: beauty in Ghana is being redefined, not by filters or imported standards, but by confidence, culture, and authenticity.
