The winner of Miss Ghana 2019 Rebecca Nana Adwoa Kwabi is said to have been shocked to the marrow at the Kotoka International Airport, Tuesday, after organisers of the beauty pageant served her with news that her ticket to the United Kingdom was not ready, contrary to an earlier communication that she was flying to London that night to represent the country at Miss World.
Sources told Ghanaweb that the beauty queen had made the necessary preparations and headed to the airport, only to be greeted with “the bizarre news”.
“She should have left the country yesterday [November 19, 2019] and reported today as queens of other countries have reported. The Miss Ghana Foundation gave the queen signal that her flight was yesterday. After getting to the airport ready for check-in, organisers then came to tell her that her ticket was not ready. Who does that?” a source said.
This portal is informed that Rebecca who is expected to represent Ghana in the world’s most prestigious annual pageant was highly disheartened following the development.
“She should have been psychologically balanced so she focuses on the task but see the kind of destruction hitting her. How does she perform?”
“Miss World organisers will hold a press conference today to launch the event and introduce various delegates from various countries but as it stands, Miss Ghana 2019 is still in Ghana, thanks to Exclusive Events,” the source added.
When contacted by Ghanaweb, Inna Patty, Chief Executive Officer of Exclusive Events, organisers of Miss Ghana, declined commenting on the issue as she angrily hanged up.
The countless controversies, rebuttals
It is instructive to note that several controversies, including resignation of beauty queens and allegations of pimping, have hit Miss Ghana for the past few years.
In September this year, first runner-up of the 2019 edition of the beauty pageant Sarah Odei Amoani joined the glowing list of queens who have resigned as she was unhappy with some demands required of her. In response, organisers said the queen’s decision to resign was rather personal.
It would also be recalled that the 2017 winner Margeret Dery once took to Twitter to jab organisers and labelled the pageantry a scam after she resigned.
The 1st and 2nd runners up of the 2017 edition of Miss Ghana, Marigold Frimpong and Priscilla Nana Akua Gameli, also resigned shortly after Margeret Dery.
Other former winners of the pageant including Miss Ghana 2010 - Stephanie Karikari, Miss Ghana 2015 - Antoinette Delali Kemavor, Miss Ghana 2013 - Giuseppina Nana Akua Baafi and 1 first-runner up - Margaret Kuma-Mintah did same.
The former queens alleged there were attempts to make them sleep with influential men in order to meet their task of raising funds for the organisers. In the midst of the claims, Inna Patty appeared unfazed as she dared the beauty queens to provide evidence or face lawsuit.
“Whoever alleges must prove. The queens have said we sent them out to big men for sexual favors; before they sponsor. So we would be more than happy, prove to us, bring the list. We would be happy to join you to the right security agents to let the right thing be done. Until then, our hands are tied. Nonetheless, based on those allegations, we have taken a legal action and it’s in process,” she noted.
Miss World
The pageant, in its 69th edition, will be held in London, England, on Saturday December 14. Ahead of the main event, 130 incredible women from all over the world will be in London for a three-week festival.
After the opening ceremony which will hold in London on November 20, 2019, each contestant will compete in a series of fast track events that guarantee a place in the top 30. These include Multimedia, Sport, Talent, Top model, Head to Head Challenge and Beauty with a Purpose, taking them on a journey across some of the London’s most iconic landmarks taking in its rich culture and heritage.
Inna Mariam Patty, Chief Executive Officer of Exclusive Events