Born Claudia Etornam Kudzi to Nicholas Yao Kudzi of Gbi-Abansi and Elizabeth Nyewolemah of Gbi-Kpeme, Mama Dzidoasi I is a sub-divisional queen from Gbi Traditional Area; the queen of Abansi-Asedukluvi.
At the young age of 20, in 2006, while studying marketing at the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) – now University of Professional Studies (UPS) – Ms. Kudzi was enstooled as Mama Dzidoasi I by the elders of Gbi-Abansi. She effectively occupied a brand-new stool representing the Asedukluvi clan of the town and began her reign as the very first from Abansi in that position.
Dzidoasi completed her course at IPS in 2010, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.
She went on to acquire a Bachelor of Laws degree at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 2015. Between studying marketing and law, Etornam obtained a diploma in the Commonwealth Youth Program at the University of Ghana, Legon, in 2008. She is currently enrolled in Ghana School of Law, studying for her Barrister-at-Law degree.
Born November 29, 1986, in Hohoe, Kudzi, fondly called Etornam, began her nursery and primary education at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Accra. She proceeded to Happy Home Preparatory, Hohoe, and Mawuli School, Ho, for her junior and senior high schools respectively.
Claudia is known for her impressive skills in baking. Even though she considers baking a hobby, she has managed to turn the passion into a business and is the owner of E Cakes Ghana - a baking company with a shop in Accra. Currently, her occupation is in project management - monitoring and evaluation.
For Dzidoasi I, traditional leadership is a family thing. Her paternal grandfather, Fidelix Yao kudzi, of blessed memory, was the first Asafoatse of Gbi-Abansi. Her maternal great grandfather (mother’s maternal grandfather), Daniel Zikpi Anyigba, also was the first Asafoatse of Gbi Kpeme.
The queen of Abansi-Asedukluvi is mother to Golda Klenam Afua-Sampo Dogbatse whom she gave birth to in 2014.
ROLES & HIGHLIGHTS OF HER REIGN
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Regional Chair: Volta Lands Commission.
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Member: National Lands Commission.
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2006: Co-organizer of seminar for chiefs and queens of Hohoe Municipal Area as part of the Ghana at 50 Celebration.
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Successfully solicited support from the Austrian High Commission through the Volta Foundation to build a six-sitter environmentally friendly latrine for Abansi-Adzage Kofe.
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Secured sponsorship from Tigo and support from Ghana Education Service and Ghana Aids Commission through her office, Dzidoasi Community Development, to organize an AIDS’ day quiz to mark World AIDS’ Day observation for junior high schools in the Hohoe municipality.
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Former Board Member: St. Theresa’s training college (now St. Theresa’s College of Education).
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Former Member: Gbidukorza National Steering Committee.
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Played an active role in organizing Miss Gbi 2009.