Volta
Regional patrons of the popular beauty pageantry, TV3’s Ghana Most Beautiful
were thrown into a state of shock and enrage when their favorites that are
bidding for finals in the preliminaries were conspicuously taken out from the
list and position given to an evictee.
Organizers
earlier presented three young ladies; Seyram ,Dede and Aku which they claimed
were the top three that needed to be further shortlisted to get a
representative for the region. Public views were solicited on social media and
responses were encouraging.
While the
people busily campaigned for their favorites to make it to the final list, the
organizers ,out of the blue purportedly doled out the position to an evictee.
This made many cast doubts about the fairness
of the process and got the credibility of the entire contest up for questions.
Legitimate
questions were asked by many with one of the outstanding questions being the
decision to seemly impose a “non-bidder” on the people of a region which has
over the years featured as one of the well performing regions in this keen
contest.
Critics were
of the view it was a deliberate efforts to shortchange the region ahead of the
main the contest. What is however striking is the apparent silence from the
organizers.
The Ghana
Most Beautiful Pageant show has since its inception, besides the entertaining
activities fostered sociocultural relationship amongst communities in the
country and promoted unity and harmonious existence.
The ongoing misgivings over the contest apart
from the shocks, has become an assault to the senses of the people of the Volta
region.
Notwithstanding
the public outcry, organizers have decided to keep quiet and live in denial.
From the
grapevines, we gathered claims that the three finalists couldn't make it
through the medical examinations.
If those
claims are anything to go by, then questions that beg for answers are;
1. Why the
decision to present the three to the public without concluding the process?
2. Granted
that the three are not medically fit, why the decision to present Edem among
the other evictees?
3. Has the
process been transparent to contestants and patrons?
4. This not
exhausted, were all the 10 shortlisted contestants picked from the Volta
regional audition or there were some adulterations?
In finding answers to the uncertainties, my
itching ears gathered few discrepancies in selection process at the
preliminaries.
Somewhere last month, auditions were held
across the various regions to scout for young talented ladies to represent each
of the 10 regions.
The Volta
regional audition was held at the Stevens Hotel in Ho, thousands of young
ladies drawn from the corners of the region participated.
At the end
of an energized screening, 6 ladies were picked from the lot.
The Six (6)
lucky ladies were Dzigbordi, Seyram, Edem, Fafa, Esenam and Sefakor
The link
below was a post by organizers announcing the 6 finalists from the Volta
region.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1732903153389716&id=904170129596360
What later
became unclear was the inclusion of four other ladies who weren't part of the
auditions in Ho. Two of those addendum ( Aku and Dede) eventually made it to
the final three together with Seyram( one of the Ho finalists).
Below is the
link by organizers announcing the final three for the region, awaiting final
determination.
https://m.facebook.com/gmbviii/photos/a.904179322928774.1073741827.904170129596360/1753256554687709/?type=3&source=48
The last
straw that broke the camel’s back was the sudden U-turn by the organizers to
pick an evictee (Edem) as the region’s finalist.
Reasons we
gathered was that, none of the three finalists could pass the medical
examinations hence the decision by the TV3 to go back and pick an evictee from
the shortlisted 6.
Granted that
medical examinations and psychological tests are critical in such contests and
results remain confidential, what baffles me however was the failure of the
organizers to conduct these examinations before the declaration of the trio.
The failure
to conclude the process before the declaration, created an unnecessary hatred
for Edem and a bad press for her to a large extent.
Sadly, the
silence on the part of TV3 didn’t help issues; when you refuse to do anything
in the face of crisis, you give room for people to help themselves in whatever
way they think they can.
Undoubtedly,
those that are unaware of these irregularities immediately concluded a case of
imposition and a scheme to shortchange the Volta brand.
Whatever may
be the case, I don’t think it would be expedient to turn our back on the Volta
Brand.
But for the
adulteration, Christine Edem Tsekuma would have been part of the final three.
She could have eventually passed the acclaimed medical examinations.
My qualm
over the adulteration is that, we have had instances, where contestants picked
for the region were not fluent in the major language (Ewe) although they bore
local names.
Language is a vehicle that transports culture
and values of a society. If an ambassador of a particular society, cannot speak
the language of his or her people then the objectives of his or her
ambassadorial role is defeated.
Edem is a
daughter of the land; she hails from Anfoeta in the Ho West District and spent
several years in Ho schooling, including her Secondary education; EPC Mawuko
girls.
In deed our elders say that a child’s fingers
should not be left scalded by a hot yam that his unconscious mother puts in his
palm. Organizers may have their shortfalls but we cannot allow our own to
suffer the wrongs of others.
In deed a
priest who evoked a storm on his people cannot prevent his house from
destruction. Allowing our grievances to fester would only spoil our chances of
presenting to the world our unique values and beliefs.
The Volta
region is a microcosm of Ghana; having representation of almost all the major
ethnic groups. We take pride in our culture dexterity, our women are beautiful
inside out; they are homemakers and a toast for many men.
This is a
perfect moment to remind the world, our resolve to promote our culture irrespective
of what is thrown at us.
Let us not
be that man who burns his house, only to realize the fortunes he lost to the
ashes.
Edem, I am
sure is above suspicion and may be traumatized by the level rejections she is
receiving from people she is out there to represent. She might be going through trying moments now
and this when we need to extend our loving hands and hearts and hold her close;
she needs that warmth.
The best
revenge we can give as people from the region is to throw our support behind
Edem and ensure she gets the crown, provided she performs satisfactorily.
Let us not
be seen subverting the works of providence; some birds are not meant to be caged,
their feathers are too bright; they are meant to fly!
Edem is that
bird; let’s encourage her to fly!
Edem, the
world is your oyster, go get it; go for the crown.
