TV3 GMB 17, was the Volta Rep a "stolen verdict" ?

 

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.