If you walk through the busy streets of Agbogbloshie, Kantamanto, Korle Wonko, Amamomo and CMB, you will hear one name spoken with deep respect and affection and that name is Naa Okaitsoo Soyoo I, Queen Mother of Agbogbloshie.
But who is the woman behind the crown? Her story is not just one of royalty, it is a story of hard work, motherhood, and a heart that beats for the common person.
The Ascent to the Stool
On July 15, 2024, an important event occurred in Ga Mashie precisely Gbese Blohum. The woman known in private life as Ridah Naa Yarkai Yartey (affectionately known as Sister Mantee), a proud daughter of the venerable Nae We lineage, ascended the stool. From that moment, she became Naa Okaitsoo Soyoo I, Queen Mother of Agbogbloshie, Kantamanto, Korle Wonko, Amamomo, and CMB, representing the Gbese Stool.
Her installation was more than just a ceremony, it was the arrival of a traditional leader who truly understands the streets. As a mother of three, she did not come from a place of sheltered privilege. Instead, her path was paved with “entrepreneurial grit”, the kind of toughness gained only by building a life from the ground.
A Queen of the Marketplace
What makes Naa Okaitsoo Soyoo I truly special is her unbreakable bond with the marketplace. She is not just a Queen Mother over her people and the traders, she is a market woman herself. Because she has stood in their shoes, she relates to them with a deep sense of humanity and peace.
Traders in Agbogbloshie and CMB often share stories of her kindness. They describe her as a “good mother” or in Ga “Awo Kpakpa” who strives to improve their living conditions. Unlike leaders who might impose heavy burdens, she refuses to introduce any methods that would make life harder for the market people. She knows the sweat and struggle of trade because she lives alongside her people. It is no wonder that the women of the market constantly pray for her long life and prosperity.
Foundations of Leadership
Her journey began years ago in the classrooms of Korle Gonno Methodist JHS and the disciplined walls of Accra Girls Secondary School. These institutions did more than teach her from books, they forged the resilience she needed to become a successful entrepreneur.
Before she wore the crown, she was busy building Rida Men Ventures. This experience of mastering the art of building a business from nothing is her “secret weapon.” It allows her to lead thousands of traders with genuine empathy because she has been where they are and remains among them today.
Empowering the Future
Naa Okaitsoo Soyoo I believes that a Queen’s job is to uplift her people. Through the Naa Soyoo Foundation, she has become a powerful engine for change. She does not just give handouts, she provides “hand skills.”
While she quietly pays school fees and provides supplies for struggling students, her real passion lies in her revolutionary scholarship model. She focuses on vocational training, teaching the chemistry of pastry baking, the artistry of cake design, and the technical mastery of hairdressing, among others. She is ensuring that the youth in Ga are not just looking for a future, but are building one with their own hands.
Continental Recognition
The world is now paying attention to the work being done in the heart of Accra. At the prestigious 2026 Africas Most Influential Women Conference and Awards held at the British Council, Naa Okaitsoo Soyoo I swept two of the continents highest honors:
1. Most Influential Queen Mother in Community Development
2. Most Influential in Peace and Mediation
These awards prove that she is a leader who does not just sit on a throne, rather, she walks the frontlines of peace and growth.
Today, Naa Okaitsoo Soyoo I stands as a beacon of the new African monarchy. She perfectly balances ancient traditions with the fast paced demands of todays economy. She is a living proof that a crown is not made heavy by gold, but by the hopes, dreams, and love of the people it serves.
