CLUB MISS TOURISM GHANA 2011

Beauty, tourism, and education was definitely in the air at the National Theatre on the 17th of September where the third edition of Club Miss Tourism Ghana was held. After a three week camp in the Crown Apartamento Hotel, during which the contestants were treated to a completely new experience, that was not just about fraternizing with other girls, or finding out more reasons to be vain, but learning and actually having to care about the our natural resources and everything that has to do with protecting and packaging them appropriately for tourism.

Club Miss Tourism Ghana stands out in that it seeks not just beauty but also to find youthful ambassadors to create awareness of the needs of the tourism industry, and to also awaken in the authorities: the municipalities, district assemblies, NGO, etc, to act as a matter of priority, in involving the youth in developing the existing and prospective tourism potentials in their localities. It is also to cause awakening everywhere that there is in every locality what it takes for—

. Conservation of biodiversity,

. Job creation within the locality, thus alleviating poverty

. Building a self-reliant economy within the community, and

. The generation of foreign income earning, even from the locality.

Areas which will help improve the living standards of the people and offer a helping hand to the government’s policy of creating a better Ghana, through the growth agenda.

Quite a number of important personalities were present to add glamour to the event: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Akua Sena Dansua, and the Zimbabwean High Commissioner, Mrs Pavelyn Tenclai Musaka, as well as Nana Obesebea Gyanwa I (Abontedom hemea of Aburi), Nana Achia Kofi Ababio (Nsaakrahene).

The night began with a wonderful choreography to Lynx Entertainment’s rendition of “Yen Ara Asaase Ni”, quite appropriate to the theme of the event. The ten contestants were then officially outdoored to their audience:

Jennifer Annan Akun (Upper West Region), Evelyn Naa Ababio (Greater Accra Region), Michaella Araba Etwire (Western Region), Golda Aba Dayi (Central Region), Patience Avorgbedor (Northern Region), Evelyn Enyonam Hadzor (Volta Region), Emefa Akosua Adeti (Upper East Region), Priscilla Asare (Eastern Region), Sandra Dankwah (Ashanti Region) and Ida Seidu (Brong Ahafo Region).

The night saw the girls displaying their talents in various ways from acting to drumming to themes such as: keeping our environment clean, protecting our natural resources and the evils of sex tourism. The girls had their excited audience cheering them at every step. After the worthy talent show, was the all-important regional presentation in which the girls dressed up in the cultural garbs of their regions and told their audience exactly why their regions were the best regions in Ghana. This session looked as though it could have used more rehearsal. To show the girls were not just brains, and caring citizens of our Motherland, Ghana, their exquisite beauty was quite the sight coupled with the great designs in a DaViva Fashion show and an evening wear release by the House of Micky.

The tension began to heat up the air-conditioned hall of the National Theatre when judges began to cut down the Ten to a competitive Five. The following made it to the next level: Evelyn Enyonam Hadzor (Volta Region), Golda Aba Dayi ( Central Region), Emefa akosua Adeti (Upper East Region), Patience Avorgbedor (Northern Region) and Priscilla Asare (Eastern Region. However, other awards were given to appreciate the girls for their various efforts during the competition. Miss Darling Hair Queen went to Patience Avorgbedor and received a cheque of GH c 500 for this award. Best Swimwear and a GH c200 went to Jennifer Annan Akun. Michaella Araba Etwire of the Western Region was recognized as Most Beautiful Skin which came with a GH c200.

The night was punctuated with musical performances and some comedy to provide a much needed release of the tension that was building up in the Theatre. Growing artistes such as Andy, Don Echi, Lil C, HItz Discovery winner, Belbon Fly, Cute family were given the stage to perform to the best of their abilities. The night was crowned of with Chemphere and Dr Cryme. The Legend provided comedy for the night.

At long last, the Queen and her two princesses were selected. In Club Miss Tourism Ghana, things have been twisted a bit. Instead of a 1^st runner up and a 2^nd runner up, these two are princesses. Thus the 2^nd Princess was Patience Avorgbedor, 1^st Princess was Golda Aba Dayi and the Queen, who is also Miss Tourism Ghana 2011 went to Priscilla Asare.

The judges for this competition were Mrs. Carolyn Antwi (Ministry of Tourism), Kofi Akpabli (Ghana Tourism Authority), Philip Norley (Accra Brewery Limited), Mrs. Rita Bucknor (USAID), Chester Anie (Potpourrie), Antonie Van Eldert (The Venue Restaurant and Bar), Charles Nii Ayiku (CEO of CNJ Consult) and George Ribeirio (Che restaurant).

The night ended with a large part of the audience storming on stage to congratulate the winners. A huge sigh and raising glasses to all!

This program was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, sponsored by Accra Brewery Ltd, the Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Tourism Federation, Ghana Tourism Development Company, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Metropolitan Insurance company, Emefa Jewellery, Crown Apartamento Hotel, DaViva, Darling Hair, CNJ Consult, The Venue, MJ Grand Hotel, Citizen Kofi, Fiesta Royale, Set’s Gift Shop, Nudufe Restaurant, UB Hair, Multi-pak Ltd, Kick Energy Drink, Sigma, Sky Natural Mineral Water, Africa Cola Company, Juben House of Beauty, Dreamz Fitness, E-Jam Records, Sankofa Magazine, Travelcare.

Designers of the event: House of Micky Creations, Jessica Torks Clothing, KS Fashions, Restoration Point Company, Sako Wear, Seasons and Occasions Collections, VIDOL Collections, Alloette (Make-up), Wendy L’artisane (Jewellery).

Media Partners were Adom FM, Homebase TV, Hitz FM, GTV, eTV, Metro TV, Pink FM, Grphic Showbiz, The Mirror, Daily Graphic, New Times, Spectator, Ticket Ghana, Choice FM.