She made herself available for interviews after the launch of this year’s edition of Miss Ghana but declined to confirm or deny claims that participants of the pageant are refused access to lawyers as regards the signing of the contract.
Inna Maria Patty, Chief Executive Officer of Exclusive Event Ghana, answered virtually every question including whether or not accusations of physical and sexual abuse were true but told journalists to come to her office when she was asked if indeed the beauty queens are ‘forced’ to sign contracts without their lawyers going through them.
“Well, I’m talking about Miss Ghana 2018 and if you want to know details about how we run the brand, you’re welcome to the office,” she noted.
A purported contract which surfaced online close to a year ago demanded of the winners to GHC10,000 per month, a total of GHC120, 000 per annum.
Clause 8.3 of the contract stated that the Beauty Queens shall be fined and would have to pay GHC100 whenever they are late for an event, adding that they would be stripped of the title should they fail to show up at all. It also prohibited the winners from holding the organizers liable for any prize package promised and not honoured or delivered by a sponsor.
The said contract also demanded that winners maintain a body size of 6 to 10 (UK size). Aside that, the Beauty Queens were barred from speak to any media person or house directly or directly.
Meanwhile, Inna Patty has dared winners accusing organisers of sexual abuse to provide evidence. Failure to do so, according to her, would result in 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.
She described as “regrettable” allegations by Margaret Dery (Miss Ghana 2017), Stephanie Karikari (Miss Ghana 2010), Giuseppina Nana Akua Baafi (Miss Ghana 2013) and Antoinette Delali Kemavor (Miss Ghana 2015).
Miss Ghana 2018 was launched at Kempinski, Thursday.
Inna Maria Patty, CEO of Exclusive Event Ghana