The Manya Krobo Traditional Council and the Ngmayem festival planning committee took another significant step toward empowering women and advancing education when the Konor of the Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II, on Monday, October 27, 2025, named two distinguished Krobo women as Yokama 2025.
The ceremony, held at the forecourts of the Konor’s palace as part of the annual Ngmayem Festival, saw the recognition of Dr Edith Narkuor Osei, a U.S.-based nurse practitioner, and Clara Mlano, a seasoned broadcast journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
The title Yokama, meaning a virtuous and accomplished woman, is conferred annually by the Konor to women of Krobo descent who have excelled in their respective fields and serve as role models for the younger generation.
This year’s honourees have not only achieved personal excellence but have also demonstrated strong commitment to community service.
A Scholarship for the Girl Child
In a landmark gesture, Dr Osei announced the establishment of the E.T. & B. Larnor Scholarship Foundation, aimed at supporting girl-child education in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area.
Backed by an initial ₵50,000 seed fund, the foundation seeks to assist girls from deprived backgrounds to pursue formal education and professional training.
“This recognition gives me the opportunity to offer my help,” Dr Osei said in her acceptance remarks. “Many of our youth are engaged in substance abuse, which often leads to mental health challenges. My goal is to collaborate with my fellow Yokamahi and provide the needed education to reduce these incidents.
Most girls lack the financial support to continue schooling, and I believe that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
Supported by her husband, Dr Nana Kwabena Osei, the virtuous woman presented the cheque to the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, represented by members of the Yokama group and Ngmayem 2025 planning committee, who commended her initiative.
The Konor praised both women for their dedication, describing them as beacons of excellence and symbols of Krobo womanhood.
“Yokama stands for a virtuous woman one who is disciplined, visionary, and focused on building a better future.
These women have excelled in their endeavors, and they must be celebrated so our daughters can emulate their hard work and commitment. Our Yokamahi will continue to serve as role models for young girls who are ready to sacrifice for success.”
Continuing the Legacy
Building on the achievements of their predecessors, Yokama 2025 has pledged to expand outreach efforts to address challenges such as girl child education and drug abuse.
Dr Osei’s scholarship initiative marks a milestone, aligning with previous Yokama recommendations to institutionalize annual workshops and mentorship sessions for women and girls across Manya Krobo.
Co-honouree Clara Mlano expressed gratitude to the Konor for the honour and reaffirmed her commitment to work alongside her fellow Yokamahi. “I thank Nene Sakite for this recognition and pledge my support to collaborate with other Yokama women to sustain this vision of the honour,” she said.
The 2024 Yokama cohort, comprising Lady Asabea Cropper and Francisca Nutsu, left a strong legacy.
Their report, delivered at this year’s event, highlighted numerous impactful projects undertaken by Yokama 2024 and the Yokama Foundation.
These included a tree-planting campaign, Mother’s Day celebration for 250 women, and an outreach visit to Kom community in the Yilo Krobo District, where they mentored girls at risk of dropping out of school and distributed sanitary pads.
They also partnered with the Ghana Education Service to engage parents and teachers on promoting girl-child retention in school. Additionally, the group supported GNAT-Ladies (GNATLAS) during a women’s empowerment roundtable on motivating female teachers for quality education.
The Yokama Foundation, working with Yokama 2012 Professor Anna Lartey, also organized a Rural Women Leadership and Mentorship Programme, training young women as community leaders and change agents.
As the Manya Krobo Traditional Area continues to celebrate its heritage through the Ngmayem Festival, the Yokama initiative stands out as a living testament to the community’s dedication to nurturing capable, confident, and compassionate women.
With the launch of the E.T. & B. Larnor Scholarship Foundation, Yokama 2025 sets a new benchmark in the enduring legacy of women-driven development in Manya Krobo — a beacon of hope lighting the path for the next generation of Krobo girls.
Honouring Virtuous Women: The Yokama Tradition
The Yokama initiative, established by Nene Sakite II in 2003, has grown into a transformative platform for women’s empowerment within the Krobo State.
Over the years, it has recognized accomplished Krobo women in diverse fields — from academia and health to business and public service and encouraged them to spearhead community development projects.
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