Michael Jai White, Popcaan and Lisa Raye at their enstoolment ceremonies
For centuries, becoming a chief in Ghana has been regarded as a major accomplishment, largely because the royal institution served as the core system of governance before colonial rule.
Even today, in some communities, chiefs remain the first point of call for resolving legal disputes.
Traditionally, kings and queens could only ascend to the throne if they were from a royal lineage.
However, whether due to cultural shifts or global influences, many communities have opened the door for non-Ghanaians to be enstooled as chiefs.
Since the 1990s, several foreign celebrities have been honoured with chieftaincy titles, specifically as Development Chiefs, in recognition of their contributions to local communities.
Rita Marley
Known in real life as Alpharita Constantia Anderson, Rita Marley, she was born in Cuba on July 25, 1947, and was raised in the Trenchtown neighbourhood of Kingston, Jamaica.
She is a popular reggae artiste, actress and the wife of late Reggae music icon, Bob Marley.
In the year 2000, the reggae queen was enstooled in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
According to the Rita Marley Foundation, Rita Marley was enstooled as Nana Afua Adobea (Queen of Development) in Konkonkuru, Ghana.
She was a patron of the Konkonuru Methodist Schools in the Aburi Mountains and had successfully spearheaded the repairs to the main road as well as the provision of bore holes to supply safe and clean water.
In 2013, she was granted Ghanaian citizenship and changed her name to Nana Afua Addobea. She owns a house in Aburi and has built a studio in honour of Bob Marley in Aburi, Ghana.
Lisa Raye
In 2019, the American actress, model and entrepreneur was enstooled as a queen mother of Agona Kwanyanko in the Central region during an installment ceremony in Los Angeles.
The screen goddess was chosen for the role by the paramount chief of Agona Kwanyako, the chiefs, and the entire Kyidom Traditional Divisional Council. She is said to have earned her title as queen mother because of her humanitarian efforts.
Michael Jai White
In 2019, Hollywood actor and martial artist, Michael Jai White, was enstooled as ‘Odupong’ of Akwamu Traditional Area by HRM the Akwamuhene Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III – Akwamumanhene.
The title was bestowed on him during his visit to Ghana with other top Black Hollywood celebrities who chose Ghana as a destination for their vacation and to reconnect with their roots.
Hollywood’s Michael Jai White enstooled Chief at Akwamu in Ghana
Popcaan
On February 17, 2026, Jamaican dancehall star Andre Sutherland, also known as Popcaan, was officially enstooled as a chief in the Asebu Traditional Area of the Central Region.
Popcaan was given the stool name Nana Arkoh Kese I and installed as the Aboafohen (Development Chief) of the Apagyahen Division.
ID/EB
Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the ‘dark side of Kayamata’ and its devastating impact
