Ghanaian singer and performer Wiyaala, known worldwide as the Lioness of Africa, is electrifying audiences across Europe on her latest tour with her band, The Yaga Yagas.
Born and raised in Funsi, Upper West Region of Ghana, Wiyaala is celebrated for her ability to fuse Afro-pop, rock, and West African folk music while performing in Sissala, Waala, and English. Her concerts, she insists, are more than music , they are emotional journeys. “Make them laugh, make them cry, and then make them rock,” she often says of her mission on stage.
Her performances are already legendary, with appearances at WOMAD UK, Summerfest New York, and the Commonwealth Games in Australia. At WOMAD, The Irish Times critic Nigel Wood described her as “a powerhouse in the mode of a young Angélique Kidjo, effervescent, funny, and a commanding presence who lit up the crowd.”
But Wiyaala’s influence extends far beyond music. Offstage, she champions children’s rights and education. In her hometown, she established The Lioness Kingdom, a cultural hub that houses the Wiyaala Arts Centre, a community radio station, and a guesthouse.
Her songs, praised by the BBC for their “messages of empowerment and resilience,” reflect the same spirit that drives her activism. With her unmatched vocals, energetic dance, and magnetic stagecraft, Wiyaala is proving once again that she is one of Africa’s most dynamic musical exports.
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