Cheryl Polote Williamson Named Ghana Queen Mother - Dallas Weekly

Cheryl Polote Williamson, a recent trip to Ghana became something much larger than a business delegation or cultural exchange.

It became a homecoming of sorts, a new chapter in her work across the African diaspora and a formal invitation to help build relationships between Ghana and Black communities in the United States.

In September, Williamson was enstooled by the Anona Royal Family as Nana Aba Kwekuwah Somah I, Queen Mother of Development for the Abura Odonase traditional area in Ghana’s Central Region.

The ceremony brought together the Abura Odonase community, more than 25 divisional chiefs and queen mothers led by Nana Tsipo Amanfo of Abura, and the Omanhen of Abura State, Emintsinminim Otu XI.

According to Williamson, nearly 1,000 people attended.

“The whole village showed up,” Williamson told Dallas Weekly.

“I had so many Chiefs and kings that came and people who now want to partner and do other things.” The significance of the moment extends beyond Williamson’s individual recognition.

Her new role places a Dallas-based philanthropist and businesswoman within Ghana’s traditional leadership structure while giving her another platform to build connections between Ghana and members of the African diaspora.

RELATED: Dallas Women Appointed to Ghana Tourism Federation Leadership Roles That work comes at a time when Ghana has continued to position itself as a destination for members of the global African diaspora seeking cultural connection, business opportunities, investment and a deeper relationship with the continent.

From Dallas to Ghana Dallas Weekly has followed part of Williamson’s Ghana journey since June, when Williamson and fellow Dallas leader Swan Lee were among four Dallas women inducted into leadership and advisory roles connected to the Ghana Tourism Federation.

In its previous coverage, Dallas Weekly reported that Williamson was appointed an adviser to the Ghana Tourism Federation, becoming the first American woman to serve in that advisory role, while Lee joined GHATOF’s Marketing and Public Relations Committee.

The appointments were part of a broader effort to strengthen tourism, business, cultural diplomacy and diaspora engagement between Ghana and the United States.

Williamson’s latest honor expands that relationship.

Just days before her enstoolment, she was appointed Ghana Tourism Federation Tourism Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs by GHATOF President Seth Ocran.

In that role, she is charged with championing diaspora tourism, investment and cultural exchange between Ghana and the United States.

Her first official assignment included leading a 20-member U.S.-Ghana Business Delegation composed of women from across the United States.

The delegation participated in the inaugural Dr.

Cheryl Polote Williamson Business and Cultural Summit on Sept.

14, where the women heard from representatives of Ghana’s Diaspora Affairs Office, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Real Estate Agency Council, the National Commission on Culture and GHATOF.

The delegation also visited cultural and historical sites including the W.E.B.

Du Bois Centre and Elmina Castle.

Together, the women contributed more than $200,000 to Ghana’s local economy during the seven-day visit, according to the press release.

For Williamson, however, the trip was about more than tourism dollars.

It was about creating relationships that can continue after the delegation returns home.

Building Across the Black Diaspora Diaspora relationships can take many forms.

They can be rooted in ancestry and history, but they can also develop through entrepreneurship, philanthropy, education, tourism and cultural exchange.

Williamson’s work brings those threads together.

Her appointment as Tourism Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs gives her a role in helping create pathways between Ghana and Americans of African descent who may be interested in visiting, investing, establishing businesses, learning more about their heritage or developing long-term partnerships.

The Business and Cultural Summit provided a tangible example of that approach.

Members of the delegation were introduced to Ghanaian officials and business leaders who discussed everything from business regulation and real estate to cultural institutions, tourism and pathways toward dual citizenship.

Representatives from Ghana’s Diaspora Affairs Office also discussed the country’s efforts to grant citizenship to members of the historic African diaspora....