GB News presenter Nana Akua has a way of keeping viewers glued to their screens – but lately it’s her personal life that’s been grabbing headlines. From her surprise engagement to a former gangster to long-running questions about her hair and heritage, the Ghanaian-British broadcaster has a story that goes well beyond the news desk. Born on 19 July 1971 in Newcastle upon Tyne, according to Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia), Akua has built a career as a journalist, columnist, and weekend host. Here’s what we know – and what remains unclear – about the woman behind the microphone.
Full name: Nana Akua Amoatemaa-Appiah ·
Date of birth: 19 July 1971 ·
Occupation: Television presenter, journalist, columnist ·
Network: GB News ·
Ethnicity: Ghanaian-British ·
Relationship status: Engaged (announced 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Engaged to Stephen Gillen in February 2025 (Nana Akua official site (personal blog))
- Born 19 July 1971 in Newcastle upon Tyne (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Daughter of Ghanaian immigrants (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia) (Nana Akua official site (personal blog))
- Full criminal record and exact past of Stephen Gillen
- Number and names of Nana Akua’s children
- Whether she currently wears a wig
- 19 July 1971: Born in Newcastle
- 2021: Launches GB News show ‘Nana Akua’
- Feb 2025: Engagement to Stephen Gillen revealed
- Wedding date not yet set, considering summer 2025 or 2026 (YouTube video (GB News interview))
- Continuing weekend show on GB News (YouTube video (GB News interview))
Six facts from the public record, one pattern: Nana Akua’s story is a mix of highly verifiable data and deliberately guarded personal details.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 53 (as of 2024) |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Salary | Estimated £100,000+ (GB News) |
| Children | At least one child |
| Known for | Lively debates, monologues |
The pattern: professional transparency meets personal privacy.
Who is Nana Akua engaged to?
Announcement details
- On 28 February 2025, Nana Akua published a post on her official website (personal blog) naming Stephen Gillen as her fiancé, after first teasing the news on GB News.
- The couple got engaged in Venice, Italy, according to the same official site (personal blog).
- GB News posted a video titled “Nana Akua Announces Her Engagement to Steve Gillen” on TikTok (official news channel).
Identity of the fiancé
- Stephen Gillen is a former gangster from Belfast who says he spent a long time in prison before turning his life around (YouTube video, GB News interview).
- In an interview on GB News, Gillen stated he was nominated for an International Peace Prize – a claim not independently verified.
- Gillen has referred to Akua as “my wife to be” on Facebook (personal profile) and “my beautiful fiance” on Instagram (personal profile).
The implication: Akua has chosen a partner whose past guarantees continued public scrutiny.
What ethnicity is Nana Akua?
Her identity is a blend of British upbringing and Ghanaian heritage – a background she has navigated in the public eye while maintaining clear pride in her roots.
Family background
- Nana Akua was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, to Ghanaian immigrant parents (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia).
- When she was 11, her family moved to the United States, but she remained in the UK during term time at a girls’ boarding school (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia).
Cultural identity
- She identifies as Ghanaian-British and has spoken openly about her dual heritage on air.
- Her name “Nana Akua” reflects Ghanaian Akan traditions – “Akua” means born on a Wednesday in the Akan day-naming system.
What this means: Wikipedia records her as “British television presenter and journalist,” but her personal brand has always carried her Ghanaian heritage prominently.
Does Nana Akua wear a wig?
Hair style discussion
- Speculation about Nana Akua’s hair has circulated on social media for years, with some viewers questioning whether her on-air hairstyles are natural or wig-based.
- Nana Akua has addressed the topic in interviews, confirming that she wears wigs for stylistic variety and that her natural hair is short.
Public statements
- She has not issued a formal statement on her personal website, but has responded to viewer comments on GB News and social media platforms.
- The question remains one of the top “People Also Ask” queries about her, indicating persistent public curiosity.
The pattern: what looks like controversy is often just aesthetic preference.
Has Nana Akua been married?
Nana Akua has been married before and has children, but she has kept the details of her first marriage largely private – a rarity in her outspoken TV persona.
Previous marital history
- In biographical profiles, it is mentioned that she was previously married, but no name or date of that marriage has been publicly confirmed by Akua herself.
- The lack of primary sources means this information is based on aggregated reports and Wikipedia entries.
Children from prior relationships
- She has at least one child, but has not publicly named the father or disclosed the number of children.
- She has described herself as a single mother in past interviews, but no verifiable source confirms the identity of her children’s father.
The catch: Akua’s past marriage remains one of the most guarded chapters of her life.
Who did Nana have a baby with?
Father of her children
- Nana Akua has not publicly named the father of her children.
- No reliable source (official bio, interview transcript, or social media post) identifies the father by name.
Family dynamics
- Akua has raised her children largely out of the spotlight, rarely posting about them on social media.
- The engagement to Stephen Gillen marks the first time she has introduced a romantic partner publicly since becoming a well-known figure.
Why this matters: Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia) notes her as a presenter and journalist – but the gaps in her family timeline highlight how carefully she separates public persona from private life.
Timeline of key events
- 19 July 1971: Born in Newcastle upon Tyne (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia)
- 2000s: Begins journalism career
- 2021: Launches GB News show “Nana Akua”
- February 2025: Announces engagement to Stephen Gillen (Nana Akua official site, personal blog)
- 2025 (ongoing): Considering wedding dates, continues GB News weekend show
What we know vs what’s uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth from Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)
- Engagement to Stephen Gillen announced February 2025 (Nana Akua official site, personal blog)
- Ghanaian heritage confirmed by Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)
What’s unclear
- Full criminal record and exact past of fiancé Stephen Gillen
- Number of children and their names
- Whether she currently wears a wig (she has said she wears wigs but not confirmed current style)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary)
Key statements from Nana Akua and those close to her
“I’m so happy to finally share the identity of my tough-guy fiancé – Steve is the one.”
– Nana Akua, via her official website (personal blog)
“I grew up in Belfast and later went to prison for a long time before turning my life around.”
– Stephen Gillen, in a GB News interview on YouTube
“Nana Akua is a British television presenter and journalist working for GB News.”
– Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)
For the audience that has watched Nana Akua’s career rise on GB News, the engagement and personal revelations add a layer of human complexity to a presenter known for strong opinions. The gap between what is documented and what remains private is significant – and perhaps intentionally so. For followers seeking clarity on her background, the choice is clear: accept the information she chooses to share, or wait for further disclosures that may never come.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nana Akua’s net worth?
Exact net worth is not publicly verified; estimates range from £500,000 to £1 million based on her GB News salary and media work, but no official figures are available.
Where can I watch Nana Akua’s show?
Her show airs on GB News on Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm to 6pm UK time. It is also available on catch-up via the GB News app and website.
Is Nana Akua married?
As of 2025, she is engaged to Stephen Gillen but not yet married. She was previously married, but details of that marriage are not public.
What is Nana Akua’s real hair color?
Her natural hair is short and dark. She has worn wigs and styled wigs for on-air appearances, as she has explained in interviews.
Does Nana Akua have children?
Yes, she has at least one child. She has not publicly named the father or the number of children.
What is Nana Akua’s educational background?
She attended a girls’ boarding school in the UK and later studied journalism, though specific institutions are not widely documented.
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Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at Media Grid UK, running the daily news list, commissioning and headline review.