Place value on northern pageants —Issabella Pwadura
The reigning queen of the Face of Northern Ghana pageant, Issabella Pwadura Wesoamo, 26, believes it is high time players in the creative industry placed significance on pageants held in northern Ghana.
She explained that pageants in northern Ghana have been instrumental in the promotion of tourism, traditional values and customs in the regions.
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Issabella, a professional French teacher at the Anowaam SDA JHS, Bolgatanga, also said beauty contests had been a tool used in empowering young women by instilling in them self-discipline and confidence, personality development, healthy competition, networking, tenacity, focus among others.
In a conversation with the Graphic Showbiz during a working visit to its offices on Monday, January 30, Issabella was optimistic a good attention paid to pageants in the north will shape the narratives of the culture of the people.
“Majority of pageants in the northern part of the country showcase Ghanaian traditional values and instill morals in our girls, but not much attention has been paid to us.
“If the relevant institutions start shedding light on them plus support from the government and corporate Ghana, I believe it would go a long way to help preserve our cultural values, motivate the young ladies, improve them physically and mentally, encourage charity work, self-discovery which all help in the development of the region and the country as a whole”, she said.
Still on pageants, Issabella, who is also an actress and pageant consultant, added it is necessary for young people to be trained to make good use of their special gifts in a competitive world.
“The best thing parents or anyone responsible for raising or guiding a child can do is to assist them develop their gift or passion so that in a world where individuals who are confident are reaping from their talents, they are not found wanting.”
Isabella won the 5th edition of the Face of Northern by beating 31 contestants drawn from the five northern regions — North East, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and Northern.
In addition to wearing the crown, Isabella took home a Daewoo Matiz, cash and ambassadorial opportunities as the grand prize.
The Face of Northern Ghana is an initiative of Versatile Events which aims at empowering and inspiring young ladies from Ghana's five northern regions.
“My lifelong goal has been to support young people with unique and varied artistic abilities in gaining the confidence they will need to succeed in life.
“I'm currently working with hundreds of kids in a few schools in the five northern regions. My team and I have established debate clubs, training sessions for those interested in writing, storytelling, Taekwondo among others, and we soon intend to expand our assistance to other areas”, she added.
