Queen Zakiat Joins Northern Music Awards Board as the Prestigious Scheme Returns Stronger in 2025

The Northern Music Awards (NMA), one of the most prestigious music award schemes celebrating Northern Ghanaian talent, is making a powerful comeback in 2025 after a brief hiatus for restructuring. This year’s edition promises to be the biggest yet, with an expanded reach covering the five Northern regions and the Eastern Corridor. Among the newly appointed board members is the accomplished Razak Zakiat Hawa, popularly known as Queen Zakiat, representing the Upper West Region.

Who is Queen Zakiat?

Born and raised in the Upper West Region, Queen Zakiat is a passionate media personality and philanthropist with a mission to inspire young women and drive positive change. She is a former student of Wa Municipal Model Primary and JHS, Queen of Peace SHS in Nadowli, and a graduate of the Institute of Business Management and Journalism, where she studied Media and Communication.

Her rise to prominence was further solidified when she was crowned Queen of the North 2023, a title that not only recognized her grace and intelligence but also amplified her commitment to social causes and women’s empowerment. Her latest appointment to the NMA 2025 board is yet another milestone in her growing influence within the creative arts industry.

Northern Music Awards 2025: A New Era Begins

The Northern Music Awards is the brainchild of Grandpapa Entertainment, led by CEO Iddrisu Mohammed Rafik. The award scheme has been a major force in recognizing and promoting musical talents from Northern Ghana. After taking a break to restructure and improve its impact, the 3rd edition was officially launched at a media engagement event on February 2, 2025, at the Clinton Lodge in Tamale, where board members, including Queen Zakiat, were unveiled.

As a board member, Queen Zakiat is expected to bring her media expertise, leadership, and advocacy skills to help shape the awards’ vision and ensure fair representation of artists from her region and beyond.

Her appointment is a win for the Upper West Region, a recognition of her dedication to the entertainment industry, and an inspiration for young women striving to make an impact.