ounder of the Zango Women Livelihood and Empowerment Programme, Adiza Ibrahim well known in the Zango Communities as KUBURAH DIAMONDS says she feels very encouraged by the honour given to her at the recently held, first-ever Islamic Personality Awards where she was recognised as the Most Influential Female Personality of The Year and Ideal Muslimah - Becoming.

Adiza, who is also Head of Marketing & Media Relations at Electroland Ghana Limited, says the honour reinforces her philosophy that it pays to be intentional and purposeful regardless where we are coming from, our gender or the religion we are identified with. Also in the choices we make of the opportunities life throws at us.

In an interview with Myjoyonline, the women empowerment social activist said her primary aim has been to help uplift the underprivileged in society, particularly those in the Zangos, and to help the teens recognise that they do not need to stick by the stereotypes of identity, gender, religion, poverty and underdevelopment.

“In most cases we are underprivileged and we have come really far that now the narrative about the Zango is changing. From where I am sitting as a social activist, I started using my social media platforms years ago to speak about the toxic narratives, to change the stereotypes, to teach girls and women the things they can unlearn, relearn, and learn about personal development, upbringing, career development, education, skills development, capacity building and financial empowerment.

“So the recognition means a lot to me just as the title rightly states, the most influential female personality, it gives me the sense that a good number of Muslim teens, adolescents, teenagers and women look to me as an inspiration and take the intentional path I have chosen.

“If I, a woman that will, first before anything be pointed as that muslim girl or even suggest I come from the Zango (which I don’t anyway because I haven’t lived in the Zango before) is able to reach this decent stage it means that if we all become intentional to have a purpose, work at it with determination, resilience, and eyes on becoming women of substance, the world will not only celebrate us but it will make a great impact.

“I'm not on the empowerment journey expecting to be rewarded but then it makes the girl child also have self belief in living a purposeful life…, will see that oh, if you strive to become an agent of positive change, people who watch are there to recognise you blaze the trail.

The 2023 Islamic Personality Awards ceremony was held at the National Theatre in Accra, and sought to recognise, honour and celebrate the exceptional efforts of the Muslim community.

Adiza Ibrahim was recently awarded as Ghana Outstanding Woman of the Year at the 6th GOWA 2023..

On that occasion, she was honoured for her outstanding achievements in the realms of marketing and media relations, and her significant social contributions to teen, adolescent and women empowerment.