Celebrated Ghanaian model, cultural curator, and CEO of the Shea Butter Museum, Hamamat Montia, has opened up about her early beginnings in pageantry and how her experiences shaped her passion for preserving African culture.
Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Starr 103.5 FM on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Hamamat Montia reflected on her life-changing win at Miss Malaika and the lessons it taught her.
“I was 17 when I won Miss Malaika,” She recalled. “I was just turning eighteen, and I was lucky they allowed it.” Immediately after her victory, she participated in an international project, which she initially believed to be a tourism-focused event. Her mother had prepared her with traditional attire, including calabashes and grass outfits.
“But when we went there, it wasn’t just tourism, it was a modeling competition,” Montia said. “The way I dressed, proudly showcasing my local culture, made me stand out. I actually won that competition.”
The former Miss Malaika queen emphasised the importance of returning to one’s roots, noting that her experiences abroad, including encounters with racism in Turkey, reinforced her commitment to African culture.
“Sometimes where you want to go, you have to go back home to relearn from our forefathers. Grandmothers have so much knowledge for the future. Now, the future is going back in a way,” she said.
She also spoke about transforming traditional knowledge into viable enterprises. “We still sell, but we’ve added value. We have it in glass or in a pump for those who prefer it,” Montia explained, highlighting her work with Shea Butter products.
Hamamat Montia encouraged young Africans not to let financial limitations hold them back. “Money is not the opportunity. Once you have the right mindset, money will come,” she said. She described her purpose as teaching and celebrating African culture, which eventually became a product that embodies her passion.
Reflecting on her journey, Montia admitted that finding one’s purpose can be challenging. “There was a time in my life where I was lost, searching for my purpose. Your purpose is something that you enjoy doing. For me, it was teaching the culture, and somehow it became a product.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
