Entertainment
The Journey from 1957: Miss Ghana, a pageant changing society
The first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame founded the Miss Ghana Beauty Pageant as an initiative in 1957 to offer the “Independent” Ghanaian woman a platform to positively impact society.
As Ghana marks 64 years since the country liberated itself from colonial rule, The Spectator tracks how the scheme has kept this mission and impacted society.
The current organisers believe that the core idea, Beauty with a Purpose, has not changed though the role of women in society keeps evolving.
Maiden competition
Ms. Monica Amekoafia, Volta Region’s representative who won the very first Miss Ghana competition in 1957, had early on participated in both the District and Regional events which she came tops, prior to the main competition.
After conquering the two competitions in her home Region, she represented her people at the Accra Community Centre where she contended for the Miss Ghana title with other representatives from the Eastern and Western Provinces as well as the Ashanti and Northern Territories.
Social interventions
The organisers, Exclusive Events, in an interview with The Spectator, said “there is an umbrella body, Miss Ghana Foundation, which coordinates various projects the scheme embarks on. Over the years, past Miss Ghana queens have taken up different social projects that help transform and positively impact lives of the most vulnerable or less privileged in society.”
The Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Ms. Inna Patty, a former Miss Ghana winner, said the scheme focused on, Health, Environment, Education, the Aged and Streetism in various communities to bring smiles on the faces of dejected people.
Provision of potable water: In partnership with National Petroleum Authority the foundation constructed a Mechanized Borehole for the people of Nabuli in Gushegu District of the Northern Region.
Health: As ambassadors of National Blood Bank the foundation helps to encourage Ghanaians to donate blood voluntarily and frequently through various blood drives and sensitisation workshops.
They have been raising funds to sponsor the cost of corrective surgeries of children suffering from Spinal deformities known as Scoliosis at the Foundation of Orthopaedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS) Hospital in Accra.
Miss Ghana winners have been actively involved in various health campaigns including, The Protect the Goal, UNAIDs, Feminine Hygiene clinics in partnership with Tobinco Pharmaceuticals & Embassy of France, and buruli ulcer, infant maternal mortality among others laudable programmes of national concern.
Recently, they embarked on COVID-19 protocol sensitisation and donations of PPE since the disease struck the country last year.
In the area of education, they had embarked on Women in IT programme with IPMC, Mentorships in some Senior High Schools, provision of scholarships and the Don Bosco Project.
Additionally, they had donated food, clothing, organised medical screening and supplied drugs to the aged and orphanages in the country.
Challenges According to the organisers, embarking on some of these projects was capital intensive and not meant for the faint hearted.
They believed some participants did not see the platform as a patriotic or sacrificial one to help impact other lives. Some are mainly interested in the cash, car and crown. This smacks of self-centredness.
Future
“We shall continue to empower our young women, because, an empowered woman is powerful beyond measure and beautiful beyond description, as brilliantly articulated by Steve Maraboli,” Ms. Patty said.
No Pageant
It is on record that Miss Ghana Competition was put on hold in1961-1966, 1969-1985, 1991-1993, 2011, 2014, 2016.
However, the 2013 Winner of Miss Ghana, Guiseppina Nana Akua Baafi is said to have resigned.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Veteran Ghanaian actor, Fred Amugi, has been cast in the upcoming Pan-African television series, Kismet, where he will play the role of Chief Ademola, a wealthy and influential Yoruba patriarch.
The series, set for production in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, brings together a diverse cast ensemble from Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya, and the United States.
A statement copied to the GNA in Accra said “It forms part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration within Africa’s creative industry while positioning African stories for global audiences.”
Speaking on his involvement, Fred Nii Amugi, whose acting career spans more than four decades, described the role as a meaningful milestone.
“It is a proud moment for me at this stage of my career to be part of a Pan-African series,” he said.
“Playing a Yoruba character as a Ghanaian reflects something deeper about who we are as Africans. It reminds us that we are one people, connected beyond borders,” he indicated.
He added that his preparation for the role went beyond performance.
“As a Ghanaian of Ga heritage, I am taking time to study the historical and cultural links between the Ga and Yoruba people.
“I am learning about these connections so I can represent the character with truth and respect.”
“It is important that the world sees the shared identity that exists across our continent,” he noted.
Kismet is being developed as a high-quality thriller series with a Pan-African perspective, drawing talent from across the continent and the diaspora.
According to Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, President of the African Chamber of Content Producers and production advisor for the project, the series represents the united image of Africa that is capable of contributing to the global creative economy.
“As part of building a Pan-African creative economy, Kismet is a call for Africans to come together and tell our stories as one people.
“We are also aligning this effort with the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a strong continental market for African content,” he underlined.
The producer of the series, Paul Joegad, emphasised the global ambition behind the project.
Based in the United States, Joegad noted that the production was designed to meet international standards while maintaining authentic African storytelling.
“We are leveraging diaspora networks and global experience to create a series that resonates across cultures,” he said.
“Our goal is to produce content that can stand on international platforms through quality and strong storytelling.”
He added that assembling the right team had been central to the project’s vision. Among those involved is Mawuko Kuadzi, a Casting Society of America (CSA) member and the first African to win an Artios Award in its 40-year history.
The producers say the series seeks to position Africa as a major player in global content, fostering international Pan-African partnerships. –GNA
The management of Prophet Joseph Atarah Ministries (PJAM) has announced the 2026 edition of the highly anticipated annual gospel concert, Atarah Praise.
This edition, under the theme: ‘Dalet,’ is scheduled for 4pm, Sunday, May 24, at the Bayview Village.
Patrons will enjoy an atmosphere charged with powerful worship, prophetic ministration, and spiritual renewal.
Against this backdrop, Prophet Joseph Atarah will team up with some of Ghana’s finest gospel ministers, including Piesie Esther, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Obaapa Christy, and Siisi Baidoo.
Over the years, Atarah Praise has evolved into one of Ghana’s most impactful worship gatherings, attracting thousands of believers seeking a profound encounter through music, prayer, and thanksgiving.
The 2026 edition is positioned as a divine platform for renewal, restoration, and spiritual awakening.
Patrons are encouraged to arrive early to secure convenient seats and be there with the heart of the worship.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
