No Miss Universe GH this year; organisers restructuring pageant

YOUNG ladies who have hopes of becoming Miss Universe Ghana 2019 are in for a big disappointment as information Graphic Showbiz is picking up is that there will be no pageant this year.

According to a source close to the Miss Universe Ghana organisation, the pageant was being restructured and would return next year.

“They have had two very successful pageants and selected two great queens and the organisers think the time is right to take stock, restructure and come back bigger next year,” the source said.

This means that there will be no Ghanaian representative at this year’s Miss Universe global finals and that will be disappointing news for some.

After being dormant for a number of years, the Miss Universe Ghana franchise was taken over by entrepreneur and former Miss Universe Ghana, Menaye Donkor Muntari, wife of former Black Stars player, Sulley Muntari in 2017 under her MALZ Promotions outfit.

She has since transformed the pageant and made it attractive again; her first Miss Universe Ghana, Ruth Quashie, made it to the Top 20 at the Miss Universe finals in 2017.

Akpene Diata Hoggar won the pageant in 2018 and also made an impressive showing at the world event last year.

Akpene Diata Hoggar, Miss Universe Ghana 2018

According to the source, although there might be speculations that the organisation was not holding the pageant this year because of financial difficulties, that was far from the case.

“They are not broke or suffering financially; the pageant will come off early next year I can tell you. This break is really to give more opportunities to young people and make the event even bigger.

The source said in that regard, they would have a new arrangement in selecting their contestants in that the auditions would be held in four zones across the country, thereby opening more doors for aspiring contestants and even opening up more employment opportunities in the production value chain.

The source said the decision to change the timing of the pageant had been discussed with the Miss Universe Organisation which had approved the restructuring.

While acknowledging that many people, including aspiring contestants and potential sponsors may be disappointed this year, the source said all of that would be beneficial in the long run.

“Menaye and her team are committed to growing the Miss Universe brand and they are working on new things that will excite Ghanaians.”

The source said the Miss Universe Ghana Organisation would release a statement announcing the changes before the week would end.