Miss Universe Ghana 2013 organisers assure winner of prizes
Organiser of the prestigious Miss Universe Ghana 2013 Beauty pageant, Roberta Annan Consulting (RAC LLC) has given assurance to the winner and contestants of this year’s event that they will receive all prizes promised to them.
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Ten Ghanaian beauty hopefuls are vying for the title of Miss Universe Ghana. The 10 finalists are Akua, Albie, Ama, Emerald, Georgina, Hanniel, Helen, Mya, Olivia and Stacy.
The assurance follows allegations leveled against the organisers of the 2012 edition by the winner, Ms. Gifty Ofori, that she was yet to receive her some of the prizes that were promised her by the organisers, Insignia Experience and RAC Group prior to the final contest last year.
The prizes included an official car and accommodation for her use during her year of reign, participation in the 61st Miss Universe pageant in the US, a three month internship at the United Nations in New York, and a presentation and modeling portfolio shoot by celebrity photographer, Fadil Berisha in New York.
She was also to receive a Samsung Note 3 phone tablet, four pages editorial spread in an international magazine, personal celebrity stylists in New York, Los Angeles and Accra and also management and representation by the Insignia Experience/RAC Group as well as a year of incredible experience of celebrity status and adventure.
However, as at last week Thursday, Ms Gifty Ofori said she had only received the Samsung Galaxy phone and had also represented Ghana at Miss Universe in the US and also benefitted from the photo shoot.
According to her, she had made several presentations to the organisers and now, they have refused to answer her phone calls. She has therefore, threatened not to be present to do the traditional handing over ceremonies to her successor at the Miss Universe Ghana 2013 scheduled to take place this weekend, May 25.
However, the New York based company in charge of this year’s event, Roberta Annan Consulting [RAC LLC], in a statement, says last year’s edition of the pageant was organized by Insignia Experience with help from the RAC Group and based on their working agreement at the time; INSIGNIA was responsible for the event as well as providing the winner with the prizes she deservedly won.
Conversely, following issues with last year’s edition, RAC LLC, a management firm that specializes in aligning investors with government agencies with the aim of stimulating economic, social and political growth, decided to bid for and subsequently took over the Miss Universe Ghana franchise from INSIGNIA Experience, thus this is the company’s first edition in charge of the pageant.
According to the statement, RAC LLC believes that Ms. Gifty Ofori deserves to receive all the full benefits that were promised her when she won the crown last year and is right to pursue the issue with last year’s organizers.
The statement further assured the general public that the company was dedicated to ensuring that this year’s winner and contestants receive all prizes promised to them.
Organisers of the Miss Universe Ghana 2013 scheduled to take place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Saturday, May 25 have also brought an international appeal to the pageant by working with high profile names on the international fashion and modeling scene.
NEXT TOP MODEL’s Celebrity photographer, Jo Lance is currently in Ghana handling photography for the event together with Ghana’s own Steven Adusei.
There’s also been the addition of Miss Universe 2011, Angola’s Leila Lopez as well as former Victoria Secret model, Veronica Varekova to the judging panel which also includes high profile Ghanaian celebrities such as actress, Yvonne Nelson, TV/Radio host, Benny Blanco as well as Brian D. Hogan, Founder and Partner of Paradigm Group Capital LLC.
Award wining actress, Ama K. Abrebrese and radio personality, Nathaniel Attoh have been billed to host this year's event.
This year’s edition of the Miss Universe Ghana pageant has also seen tremendous improvement in organization as well as the prize package for the winner.
The improved prize package for this year’s winner includes, a New York Film Academy Scholarship, Management and Public Relations team for the year, Ghc 5,000 worth of wardrobe for appearances and participation in the international competition, gym membership and several other prizes that are aimed at empowering the winner to pursue an effective social economic growth agenda for the country.
This year’s event is strictly by invitation.
Graphic.com.gh