Miss Ghana still best for young ladies — Winners

THE Miss Ghana brand has in the last few years been rocked by a number of scandals that many people believe have dented its image.

Apart from the usual issues with the winners, there have been allegations of ‘pimping’ levelled against Inna Patty, whose Exclusive Events Ghana outfit organises the pageant.

Although Inna Patty is fighting the matter in court, there are those who also believe that her fights with some of the winners, who have laid down their crowns, has done nothing to make the brand attractive.

However, for the three ladies who emerged tops at this year’s Miss Ghana finals, the pageant still remains the best for young girls.

According to the first runner-up of this year’s edition, Sarah Odei-Amoani, a student of the UPSA, the Miss Ghana brand remains strong in helping young ladies realise their dreams.

“If you’re a young girl who is looking for a platform to build your capacity, then I suggest Miss Ghana. This is the brand that helps young girls realise their dreams. The kind of grooming the young ladies undergo prepares them to face the world.

“We are given military training to make us disciplined while encouraging team work and unity, and the grooming builds up your confidence and makes you responsible. On top of it all, the Miss Ghana Foundation does great humanitarian work which is amazing,” she said during a visit to the Showbiz offices last Tuesday.

Her sentiments were echoed by the overall winner, Rebecca Kwabi, a fashion student of Maureen Signature Institute, who said she was motivated to audition for Miss Ghana because of the foundation’s work.

“I had read about the work the Miss Ghana Foundation was doing and I wanted to be part of it and I am glad I did,” she said.

According to Rebecca, it is still sinking in that she is Miss Ghana 2019 and anytime she comes to the realisation, she feels great.

“It feels awesome and I thank God for everything. Even when I made it through to the Top 20, I didn’t think I would win because all the ladies were good and I knew we could all win so it was very exciting when I did, and I am grateful to everyone who supported me, including my family,” she said.

While she is still coming to terms with her win, Rebecca is getting right to work, focusing on the upcoming Miss Ghana Charity Ball and her special project which involves providing school uniforms for the less privileged.

As she readies for her volunteer work with the Miss Ghana Foundation, Rebecca has also started preparations to represent Ghana at the Miss World finals later this year where she hopes to make Ghana proud.

The second runner-up, Deborah Opoku Sarfo, said she was not disappointed she did not win the pageant because she did not even think she would make it that far.

“After the auditions, I was really scared, especially when we made it to the Top 20 and I heard the kind of English the other ladies were speaking.

“I just prayed that God’s will for my life would be done and that was the same prayer I said on the night of the finals and I placed third, so I know that was His will for me and I must say it is a blessing and I’m super grateful. I will work hand in hand with the queen to ensure Ghana does well at Miss World,” she said.

Sarah Odei-Amoani also expressed similar views, saying although she wanted the crown and all the other prizes that came with it, she was happy. “I am happy because I still get to work with the Miss Ghana Foundation which is every girl’s dream.

The ladies expressed appreciation to their families, their sponsors, Exclusive Events, their chaperones and everyone who supported them on their journey.

Rebecca, who was crowned Miss Ghana 2019 at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, Accra on Saturday, July 6, had a word for young ladies who wanted to pursue their dreams.

“Know what you want and work hard for it. Everything that has a future has a lot of obstacles but don’t give up, just go out there, be determined and you will make it,” she said.