London Woman Becomes African Queen

She’s a staunch anti-monarchist, but that didn’t stop Liz Busch to be hailed as the new Queen of the Ewe tribe in Ghana.

The 59-year old grandmother received the privilege on December 27th, after moving to the West African country to do humanitarian work for the Ewe people in 2006.

Busch said she felt honored but a bit embarrassed at the same time.

“I’ve been an anti-royalist all my life so it’s a bit weird but I couldn’t turn it down – they didn’t ask me, they just said that’s what’s going to happen,” she said.

“They have loads of kings and queens in Ghana, more than we have and we have got one too many.”

During the ceremony, Busch received a throne, a sash, royal garb, and some jewelry. She even gets to join the tribal leaders in decision making.

She also got a new name – Nana Dansuwa I. “Nana” means Queen, and Dansuwa was a tribal chief who was known for his works with developing the Ewe tribe.

“As far as I know it’s completely unusual for a white woman to be chosen,” Busch said.

“People bow to me but I think it’s just because it’s new. I find it a bit embarrassing.”

Busch grew up in Wimbledon, and is the divorced mother of three. She got involved in the needs of the people in the Volta mountainous region in 2006.  She decided to start a life there after completing a six-week volunteer outreach project in the nearby town of Santrokofi.

“I was so touched by the people I met and so desperate to help the children that I knew it was the place for me.

“Since I moved, I have set up four childrens’ centers and we help teach the children to read and write, encourage them to play games, draw and generally enjoy their childhood.

The new African Queen hopes her high profile role will draw more attention to her cause.

“There are children here who share a pen in school because they can’t afford to have a pen each.”