Selorm Magdalene Gafah, who represented the Volta Region in this year’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful pageant, has been named the winner.
The 13-week reality show’s most well-known contestant, Selorm, defeated Naa Ayeley of the Greater Accra Region to win the title in the finale on October 8 at the National Theatre.
Kwartemaa of the Bono Region finished third, followed by Nurah of the Northern Region and Aduanige of the Upper East Region in that order.
At the National Theatre, the grand finale was breathtaking as all five contestants gave it their best in front of an energized crowd.
Aduanige opened the show for the contestants after a performance from OliveTheBoy.
She demonstrated some of the tourist attractions in her area, earning the judge Janet Sunkwa-Mills’ praise.
“What a way to open the show, Nige,” Ms Sunkwa-Mills remarked, adding later: “I think you marketed your region very well.”
When Linda Ampah joined the panel of judges for the finals, she was sitting in a familiar chair as a seasoned judge of the local beauty reality programme.
Although she offered her congratulations to Aduanige, Madam Linda Ampah claimed the candidate overemphasised farming in the Upper East Region in her presentation and omitted to include the estimated amount of money investors stand to make from tourism.
The third candidate to take the stage following Nurah was the eventual winner, Selorm.
She gave examples of some of the Volta Region’s rich cultural and traditional history.
She listed some of the notable people from the Region who have contributed to our nation, including the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, the late writer Efo Kodjo Mawugbe, and the late singer Ephraim Amu.
“We are one Volta, one united people, together we can do great things,” Selorm concluded her presentation as she danced to the popular Agbadza dance.
Judge Dzigbordi Dosoo could not hide her admiration but to remark: “Throughout the competition, you came gracefully, today you came powerfully.”
In the Q&A session, Selorm was asked about her views on the Free SHS Policy implemented by the government.
“The Free SHS Policy, I believe, 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 began, citing how a cousin of hers became a beneficiary.
She, however, observed that there are challenges with the Policy, urging more infrastructure and funds to boost the programme.
With the judges having 60 percent and audience and viewers wielding 40 percent of the power to select the winner, Selorm was announced the 2023 GMB queen.
She annexes the crown which was last won by a representative of the Region in 2012. Emefa Adeti won that year.
Selorm will drive away the brand new car and a cash prize of GH¢15,000. She will also win a Camon 20 brand new phone from Tecno and GH¢5,000 worth of products from the company.
She will also be on an all-expense-paid trip to Dubai kind courtesy Global Wings Travel and Tour.
