Selorm Magdalene Gafah, the Volta Region’s representative in this year’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful pageant, has been declared champion.
Selorm, as she was affectionately called during the 13-week reality program, defeated Greater Accra Region’s Naa Ayeley in the finals held on Sunday, October 8 at the National Theatre.
Kwartemaa from the Bono Region finished third, followed by Nurah from the Northern Region and Aduanige from the Upper East Region.
It was a magnificent grand-finale at the National Theatre, with all five finalists bringing their A-game in front of a packed house.
After OliveTheBoy’s performance, Aduanige opened the show for the candidates.
She demonstrated some of her region’s tourist potential, earning praise from adjudicator Janet Sunkwa-Mills.
“What a way to open the show, Nige,” Ms Sunkwa-Mills exclaimed, later adding, “I think you marketed your region very well.”
Linda Ampah, a veteran judge of the region’s beauty reality program, was back in a familiar seat when she joined the panel of judges for the finals.
Despite complimenting Aduanige, Madam Linda Ampah stated in her performance that the candidate overemphasized farming in the Upper East Region, while neglecting to provide data on the tourist return investors stand to reap.
Selorm, the eventual winner, was the third contender to take the stage following Nurah.
She highlighted some of the Volta Region’s rich cultural and traditional heritage. She referred to the wonderful people that the Region has bestowed upon our country, including late former President Jerry John Rawlings, late dramatist Efo Kodjo Mawugbe, and late musician Ephraim Amu. “We are one Volta, one united people, and together we can do great things,” Selorm said as she danced to the famous Agbadza dance. Judge Dzigbordi Dosoo couldn’t help but express her appreciation, saying, “Throughout the competition, you came gracefully, today you came powerfully.”
Selorm was asked about her thoughts on the government’s Free SHS Policy during the Q&A session.
“I believe the Free SHS Policy is a good policy because it has lifted the financial burdens on parents and has also provided free access to education in the second cycle to every Ghanaian regardless of their status,” she said, mentioning a cousin of hers as a benefit.
She did, however, mention certain issues with the Policy, demanding additional infrastructure and funding to help the program. Selorm was named the 2023 GMB queen, with the judges having 60 percent of the vote and the audience and viewers having 40 percent.She takes up the crown that was previously held by a Region representative in 2012. Emefa Adeti was the winner that year.
Selorm will receive the brand new automobile as well as a monetary award of GH15,000. She will also receive a brand new Tecno Camon 20 phone and GH5,000 in corporate merchandise.
She’ll also be treated to an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai courtesy of Global Wings Travel and Tour.
Prior to Selorm’s performance, a bicycle-riding Nurah caught the Northern Region by storm with her delivery.
Despite the carving out of the Savannah and North-East areas, she pitched some of the Region’s top tourism spots.
She listed food, clothes, music, dancing, drumming, and horseback riding as examples of her region’s cultural history.
Judge Dzgbordi Dosoo praised her onstage accompanied with a sign language interpreter, describing it as wonderful “inclusivity.”
Greater Accra’s Naa Ayeley, who finally finished first runner-up, lit up the stage with her Otofo rituals.
She also emphasized the Region’s warm welcome, claiming that it is the reason Accra is the country’s capital.
In her region, Naa Ayeley noted adventurous attractions such as Shai Hills, Dodowa Forest, and the Legon Botanical Garden.
“I think you did a good job representing your region,” judge Linda Ampah remarked in her remarks.