Augustina Austin, professionally known as Ms. Aba, is a Ghanaian-Dutch creative entrepreneur, presenter, singer, and cultural advocate based in the Netherlands. Known for her dynamic contributions to the African diaspora community in Europe, Ms. Aba has carved out a unique niche at the intersection of communication, entertainment, and empowerment. Her work spans music, media, and community development, and she is the founder of the Nteasee Foundation, which supports African creatives and female entrepreneurship. She first gained public recognition after winning Face of Ghana Holland in 2009, which catapulted her into a multifaceted career in arts, leadership, and cultural representation.
Early Life and Background
Augustina Austin was born in the Netherlands to Ghanaian parents who migrated there in pursuit of education and opportunity. Her father arrived as a student and later established a career in engineering. Despite being raised in a predominantly white environment, her upbringing was deeply rooted in Ghanaian values and identity. Her parents prioritized both cultural heritage and academic achievement, encouraging her and her siblings to dream big while staying connected to their roots.
Growing up, Ms. Aba was inspired by prominent African American changemakers, including Shirley Chisholm, Venus and Serena Williams, Martin Luther King Jr., and Theodosia Okoh, the designer of the Ghanaian flag. These figures influenced her perception of Black excellence, self-worth, and pride especially in relation to her identity, natural hair, and African femininity. Her mother, who consistently modeled self-acceptance and strength, was another powerful influence in shaping Ms. Aba’s sense of self.
Navigating issues of race and representation in Dutch society was not without its challenges, but Ms. Aba credits her resilience to the strong support system around her. Being raised in a community that understood the nuances of racial identity allowed her to face these issues with clarity and confidence.
Career Journey
Creativity has always been central to Ms. Aba’s identity. From a young age, she found joy in mobilizing people through performance, be it singing, dancing, or organizing cultural events. While pursuing education was non-negotiable in her Ghanaian household, she sought a balance between creative passion and economic sustainability. This led Augustina Austin to study communication, launch her own business ventures, and pursue music and media simultaneously.
As a Black woman in the creative and entrepreneurial sectors, Augustina Austin faced the dual challenge of being both underestimated and underrepresented. Rather than wait for doors to open, she built her own. Her entrepreneurial mindset rooted in self-starting and resilience enabled her to thrive in environments where opportunities were not readily handed to her. She cultivated a strong network of women mentors and peers who inspired and supported her growth.
A major turning point in her career came in 2009, when she was crowned Face of Ghana Holland. This title solidified her role as a cultural ambassador and served as a launchpad for her journey into media, music, and leadership. It also affirmed her belief that her path was not only valid, but vital.
Leadership and Influence
To Ms. Aba, leadership means empowering others to become the best versions of themselves. Her approach has evolved through experience, developing a deep understanding of character, communication, and the human psyche. She balances adaptability with decisiveness valuing both empathy and strength in her decision-making.
Criticism, while inevitable, is something she navigates through the counsel of trusted advisors. She emphasizes the importance of independence, encouraging others, particularly young women, to build lives that are sustainable and self-driven over the long term.
Ms. Aba believes that true influence requires both heart and determination. Her leadership extends beyond the spotlight, impacting communities and empowering individuals through action, mentorship, and education.
Personal Philosophy and Legacy
Integrity is the cornerstone of Ms. Aba’s personal and professional ethos. While ambition drives her, she balances it with well-being through prayer, meditation, exercise, and above all, music, which remains her greatest source of inspiration and healing.
Augustina Austin envisions a legacy rooted in economic empowerment for creatives. She wants her work to open doors for young people to generate income through their art and originality, in ways that are culturally relevant and economically viable.
If she could offer advice to her younger self, it would be: “Go with your gut and never doubt it. You rock!”
Current Projects and Future Vision
Ms. Aba is currently working on her much-anticipated EP titled “Like Gold,” a musical project that reflects her artistic maturity and cultural influences. She is also involved in organizing the Hague African Festival, an annual celebration of African culture in the Netherlands.
Through her Nteasee Foundation, she continues to develop programs that support African creatives and female entrepreneurs. Her long-term vision includes fostering more collaboration within the global African diaspora and creating sustainable systems for creatives to thrive.
Augustina Austin dreams of a world where every member of the African diaspora could contribute even one euro a day toward a continental project, believing such collective effort could spark transformative change.
Over the next 5 to 10 years, Ms. Aba sees herself working globally, while enjoying the balance of career, family, and creativity.
The Human Side of Ms. Aba
Behind the entrepreneur and cultural leader is a vibrant, grounded individual. Ms. Aba enjoys working out, meditating, taking long walks, and watching movies. Music inspires her daily, and her friends would describe her as someone who laughs easily and often.
Interestingly, if she weren’t doing what she does today, she’d probably be a DJ an idea that speaks to her love for sound, rhythm, and bringing people together through music.
Recognition and Impact
From her early accolade as Face of Ghana Holland to her continued advocacy in arts and culture, Ms. Aba has established herself as a powerful voice for African creativity, women’s empowerment, and diaspora unity. Her influence continues to grow as she merges storytelling, leadership, and entrepreneurship in pursuit of a more inclusive and vibrant creative economy.
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