Former Second Lady Samira Bawumia Graces Türkİye's 104th Victory Day Reception In Accra ‎

Former Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia, was among the dignitaries in attendance as the Turkish Embassy in Ghana marked the 104th anniversary of Türkiye's Victory Day with a reception in Accra last night.

A Notable Guest
Mrs. Bawumia, wife of former Vice President and current New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was pictured arriving at the event alongside Ambassador of Türkiye to Ghana and Liberia, Hüseyin Güngör, and his wife, Mrs. Yeter Güngör.

Her presence at the reception reflects the standing she continues to hold in Ghana's diplomatic and public life well beyond her tenure as Second Lady, a role she occupied from January 2017 to January 2025.

The Occasion
Victory Day commemorates the Turkish Army's decisive win at the 1922 Battle of Dumlupınar, the engagement that effectively ended the War of Independence and paved the way for the founding of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The date, also observed as Armed Forces Day, is marked annually with ceremonies in Ankara and receptions hosted by Turkish missions across the world, including in Accra.

Beyond the Second Lady Role
Since leaving office, Mrs. Bawumia has remained a visible public figure, combining humanitarian work through her Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) foundation with an active diplomatic and advocacy presence.

In the days before the Victory Day reception, she was engaged in discussions with the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, on strengthening the participation of women and youth in Africa's green economy, and she has continued to headline forums on female leadership and empowerment across the country.

Her appearance alongside the Turkish envoy also comes against the backdrop of Ghana's steadily deepening relationship with Türkiye, spanning trade, defence cooperation, and development partnership, ties that have been reinforced through a string of high-profile engagements hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Accra in recent months.

Political Backdrop
Mrs. Bawumia's public visibility continues even as she remains closely associated with her husband's political fortunes within the NPP, where Dr. Bawumia is positioning for the party's presidential ticket. She has previously played an active campaigning role on his behalf, and her attendance at high-profile diplomatic events such as the Victory Day reception is consistent with the public role she has maintained since leaving the vice-presidential residence.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/Science communicator, Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,United States Institute of Peace (USIP), [email protected] +233555275880

References
Photograph, Turkish Embassy Victory Day reception, Accra, courtesy SBawumia (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram), August 30, 2026.

Diplomatic Times Online, "Samira Bawumia engages AfCFTA boss on women, youth participation in green economy," August 28, 2026. https://www.diplomatictimesonline.com/samira-bawumia-engages-afcfta-boss-on-women-youth-participation-in-green-economy/

GCTU Directorate of University Relations, "'The Future Belongs to Those Who Have the Courage to Create it' – Samira Bawumia," June 23, 2026. https://site.gctu.edu.gh/news/the-future-belongs-to-those-who-have-the-courage-to-create-it-samira-bawumia.aspx

Anadolu Agency (AA), "Turkish officials mark 104th anniversary of Victory Day," August 30, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkish-officials-mark-104th-anniversary-of-victory-day/4041600

Wikipedia, "Samira Bawumia" (biographical reference). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samira_Bawumia

T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı, Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Accra, "Büyükelçinin Özgeçmişi" (Ambassador's Biography). https://akra-be.mfa.gov.tr/Mission/Biography