Akatsi, (V/R) October 20 2026
The race for the coveted Mama Hogbe crown has officially begun, with 14 ladies from across the Volta Region auditioning for the 2026 edition of the pageant, which has expanded to embrace the wider Ewe community.
The five-hour audition, held at Tonynan Hotels in Akatsi over the weekend, marked the start of an exciting three-week journey in which contestants will showcase their beauty, intelligence, confidence, cultural knowledge, and commitment to community development as they compete for a place in the grand finale.
Beyond physical appearance, the candidates were challenged at the audition to demonstrate the qualities expected of modern cultural ambassadors, with the judging panel assessing their stage presence, communication and eloquence, knowledge of Ewe culture and heritage, general knowledge, personality, grooming, discipline and commitment to community service.
The three-member panel comprised Mr Liberty Ativor, a teacher with extensive knowledge and experience on Ewe culture; Madam Laura Ledzi Ami Attatsi, a teacher, cultural enthusiast, former first runner-up of Mama Hogbe 2019 and former Miss GNATLAS Queen who is also a Quality Assurance Manager of the program; and Queen Newlove Kekeli Ahiatrogah, the reigning second runner-up of the 2025 Mama Hogbe Pageant.
At the end of the assessment, most candidates demonstrated exceptional and strong performances, while others recorded satisfactory results. Although the selection criteria required only 10 candidates to qualify for the competition, the Executive Board, after careful consideration, decided to admit all 14 ladies into the contest, purposely to allow each of them to prove her talent, celebrate her cultural heritage and compete for the coveted Mama Hogbe 2026 crown.
Madam Attatsi, who announced the audition results, urged the candidates to approach the competition with discipline, dedication and a strong sense of purpose.
She reminded them that the journey to the crown required commitment and consistency, encouraging them to take every stage of the competition seriously and make the most of the opportunity to grow into confident young women and cultural ambassadors.
The contestants are drawn from communities like Anloga, Keta, Kpeve, Woe, Wusuta, Afife, Dzita, and other towns
Online Voting, Semi-Finals Set the Pace
With the auditions concluded, the contestants are now stepping into the next phase of the competition, where public engagement and individual performances will play a crucial role in determining who advances.
Mr Benard “Rhussia” Worlali Awumee, Executive Director in charge of Operations, said the 14 contestants would begin their online voting campaigns on Tuesday night, alongside social media engagements, as part of the build-up to the semi-finals.
He explained that the semi-final stage, scheduled for the following week, would feature additional performances, with between four and five contestants expected to be eliminated.
Those who survive the cut will advance to the grand finale, scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, at Anloga, where the contestants will make their final push for the coveted crown.
The contestants are also expected to be officially unveiled on Tuesday, October 20, with the event to be broadcast across various television and media platforms, giving audiences a closer look at the ladies representing different communities across the region.
Mr Awumee also announced exciting additions to this year’s programme, including cooking competitions, beach fun games, excursion trips and other engaging indoor and outdoor activities designed to make the contestants’ experience more memorable while fostering teamwork, creativity and cultural appreciation.
Mama Hogbe Goes Regional
One of the defining features of the 2026 edition is its regional expansion, opening the competition to eligible ladies from across the Volta Region and creating a broader platform for cultural exchange and unity.
Mr Awumee said the decision was inspired by the wider cultural significance of the Hogbetsotso Festival, which celebrates the history and heritage of all Ewe people while providing an opportunity to strengthen the bonds shared by Ewe communities.
“The festival should not only serve as a commemorative event for the Anlo people but also as an opportunity to unite the wider Ewe community. As organisers of the pageant, we have taken the initiative to welcome our sisters from other parts of the Volta Region to participate and share their cultures, experiences and talents,” he said.
Sponsors Power the Journey
Mr Awumee acknowledged the support of the pageant’s sponsors and partners, including Nkulenu Industries Limited, Havilah Plains, Pluto Net, Tonynan Hotels and the National Petroleum Authority, among others.
Their support is expected to contribute to the successful organisation of the programme as the contestants progress through the various stages towards the grand finale.
As the countdown to November 6 begins, attention will turn to the contestants’ performances, public support and ability to embody the values of the Mama Hogbe crown.
