To mark International Women’s Day, GeoPoll conducted a study on gender equality in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria in the first week of March 2025. We published an initial report of the research findings, and are pleased to release more findings in this follow up. This follow up report highlights most admired women.
Most Frequently Named Women
The chart below displays the 20 women named most frequently in response to the open-ended survey question across countries and genders. The numbers in the chart indicate how many times each woman was named per country.
| # | Name |
| 1 | Mother |
| 2 | Oprah Winfrey |
| 3 | Michelle Obama |
| 4 | Ngozi Okonjo Iweala |
| 5 | Wangari Maathai |
| 6 | Kamala Harris |
| 7 | Martha Karua |
| 8 | Myself |
| 9 | Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang |
| 10 | Margaret Kenyatta |
| 11 | Queen Elizabeth |
| 12 | My wife |
| 13 | Mitchell Obama |
| 14 | Chimamanda Adichie |
| 15 | Dora Akunyili |
| 16 | Lupita Nyong’o |
| 17 | Beyonce |
| 18 | Yaa Asantewaa |
| 19 | Hillary |
| 20 | Alakija |
Ranking by number of mentions
“Mother” as a Dominant Figure
The survey revealed that, Mother emerged as the most frequently mentioned response by a significant margin—about one in every four participants chose their mother. This dominance highlights a powerful personal connection: mothers are often viewed as caregivers, role models, and key figures in shaping values, aspirations, and life paths.
Public Figures in the Second Tier
Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and Wangari Maathai—demonstrate that certain global icons resonate strongly across different regions. Each of these women has achieved significant acclaim or leadership in their respective domains:
- Oprah Winfrey: An influential media mogul, philanthropist, and talk show host.
- Michelle Obama: Former First Lady of the United States, known for her advocacy on education, health, and women’s empowerment.
- Ngozi Okonjo Iweala: An economist and international development expert, serving as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- Wangari Maathai: A Kenyan environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Their visibility, achievements, and advocacy for various social causes likely contributed to their strong appeal among survey respondents.
Broader Range of Role Models
Beyond these top figures, a diverse group rounds out the top 20: political leaders (e.g., Kamala Harris, Martha Karua), activists (e.g., Dora Akunyili, Yaa Asantewaa), entertainers (e.g., Beyonce, Lupita Nyong’o), and personal relations (“My wife,” “Myself”).
This variety demonstrate that admiration is multifaceted, with respondents valuing everything from personal relationships and everyday heroes to prominent public figures who inspire on a broader social or global scale.
- Personal Relations: Entries like “My wife” and “Myself” reflect the intimate nature of role models for some respondents. In these instances, admiration stems from close contact, daily support, or personal growth.
- Notable Leaders & Entertainers: Politicians, activists, and cultural icons resonate due to their public platforms, accomplishments, and the ways they champion social, political, or cultural change.
Across the countries surveyed, “Mother” overwhelmingly emerged as the figure both men and women admire most. Below is a concise breakdown of the most admired women in each country, illustrating how personal and cultural icons resonate across different contexts.
Ghana
| # | Name |
| 1 | Mother |
| 2 | Oprah Winfrey |
| 3 | Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang |
| 4 | Queen Elizabeth |
| 5 | Kamala Harris |
| 6 | Myself |
| 7 | Yaa Asantewaa |
| 8 | Michelle Obama |
| 9 | Chimamanda Adichie |
| 10 | Dora Akunyili |
| 11 | Beyonce |
| 12 | Gifty Anti |
| 13 | Samira Bawumia |
| 14 | Prof. Jane Naana Agyemang (The vice president of Ghana) |
| 15 | Hilary Clinton |
| 16 | My girlfriend |
| 17 | Nana Ama Mcbrown |
| 18 | Florence Nightingale |
| 19 | Rihanna |
| 20 | Ama Atta Aidoo |
Ranking by number of mentions
Kenya
| # | Name |
| 1 | Mother |
| 2 | Wangari Maathai |
| 3 | Michelle Obama |
| 4 | Martha Karua |
| 5 | Oprah Winfrey |
| 6 | Margaret Kenyatta |
| 7 | Kamala Harris |
| 8 | Mitchell Obama |
| 9 | Lupita Nyong’o |
| 10 | Myself |
| 11 | Celine Dion |
| 12 | Hillary Clinton |
| 13 | Millie Odhiambo |
| 14 | Mama Ngina |
| 15 | Akothee |
| 16 | Diana Bahati |
| 17 | Beyonce |
| 18 | Margaret Thatcher |
| 19 | Adaa Khan |
| 20 | Angela Merkel |
Ranking by number of mentions
Nigeria
| # | Name |
| 1 | Mother |
| 2 | Ngozi Okonjo Iweala |
| 3 | My wife |
| 4 | Oprah Winfrey |
| 5 | Alakija |
| 6 | Chimamanda Adichie |
| 7 | Dora Akunyili |
| 8 | Myself |
| 9 | Queen Elizabeth |
| 10 | Kamala Harris |
| 11 | Michelle Obama |
| 12 | Ibukun Awosika |
| 13 | Beyonce |
| 14 | Angelina Jolie |
| 15 | Omotola Jalade Ekeinde |
| 16 | Senator Natasha Akpoti |
| 17 | Zaha Hadid |
| 18 | Aisha bint Abi Bakr |
| 19 | Ransom Kuti |
| 20 | Aloziye |
Ranking by number of mentions
Conduct Research on Women’s Rights in sub-Saharan Africa
The world is making good progress towards achieving gender equality. Countries in Africa are taking significant strides in implementing legal changes that promote gender equality. This survey covered some of the challenges and perceptions of gender equality in three African nations. Ultimately, more data covering all populations is required to pinpoint where the real challenges lie and set about improving the situation.
GeoPoll is experienced in conducting research with women in hard-to-reach areas around the globe. If you are looking to conduct research with a female audience in emerging markets, conflict zones, or hard-to-reach areas, please contact us today.
GeoPoll conducted this Rapid Survey through the mobile application mode. The survey targeted random male and female respondents of all ages in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria the week leading up to International Women’s Day. To learn more about the methodology we used in conducting this survey, and learn about our capabilities in different parts of the world, please contact us.
