Queen Latifah to play Ghanaian ruler

London: Rapper-turned-actress Queen Latifah is set to portray Ghanaian hero Peggielene Bartels on the big screen after Will Smith snapped up the rights to pen a book about her life.

Bartels, a naturalised US citizen, was chosen to become the first female "king" of the impoverished town of Otuam after the death of her leader uncle, reported Daily Star. Her life story is now being turned into a Hollywood movie and the 60-year-old Bartels, who works as a secretary at Ghana`s embassy in Washington, DC, has given Latifah her official seal of approval. "I cannot think of anyone better to play me than Queen Latifah because there is even a little physical resemblance," Bartels said. Bartels spends one month of the year in Otuam and speaks to advisers in the village daily, and she insists her work ethic and passion make her the best woman for the job. "They had never considered a woman (to be king) before but the elders drew up a list of candidates and my name came out on top. They know I have a strong personality... Women rule with passion so of course they tend to be better kings," she added. PTI