Beauties storm Accra for 'Exquisite Face of the Universe'

Saturday, September 6, 2008 (The Mirror Pg 46)

By Rebeca Kwei
Next month promises to be an October to remember as more than 60 ‘exquisite’ ladies from across the globe descend on Accra to participate in the Exquisite Face of the Universe 2008 beauty, fashion and tourism festival.
The event, which was first held in 2006 was founded by the Ghanaian company, 1st Royal Events Company Limited and seeks to bring the rest of the world to Africa to see for themselves what the continent has to offer, especially in the area of fashion and tourism.
It is also to unveil “that universal face that has the features of a super model whose life will positively touch everybody in the world.”
As part of activities for the this year’s show scheduled to run from October 4 to 20, the delegates will pay a courtesy call on the President, J. A. Kufuor and also be the guests of the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin. The climax will be at the National Theatre Accra, on Saturday, October 18.
Twenty-two countries participated in the maiden event which was held in Accra on December 16, 2006. The delegate from Bosnia, Ajsela Kesmer was adjudged the Exquisite Face of the Universe 2006 while Tracy Awuni from Ghana was the first runner-up.
It was the first time such an international beauty and fashion event instituted by a Ghanaian company was held in Africa.
According to Evelyn Addy-Sackey, Director of 1st Royal Events, Africa’s image in the rest of the world is not as sunny as one would expect and hosting the representatives from different countries will reveal the real image of Africa to them — and not what is portrayed in the international media.
Additionally, she noted that the contest will further boost Africa’s (Ghana’s) tourism drive.
“Hosting delegates from the world over exposes our rich heritage as well as our tourism which is richly endowed with a lot of attractions, to the world,” she said.
The maiden event was a huge success and 1st Royal is optimistic that this year’s contest will be bigger and better. “Ghana will experience an event in a different light.”
1st Royal Events has been the power behind contests such as Model of the Universe, Miss Tourism Queen International and Miss Earth International.
The Director said a crack team of local and international production experts have been put together to achieve best results for this year’s show.
Exquisite Face of the Universe is sponsored by Royal Atlantic Resorts, Universal Motors, Cokelight, Maxmart, TV3, Somovision, Woodin, Grafitec and supported by Melcom, Lufthansa, Egyptair, Afriqiyah, Forwin Ghana, Darlingwigs, Rimartex Fashion, Everpack, Exotic Modelling Agency, Ministries of Tourism, Aviation, Chieftaincy and Culture and the Ghana Tourist Board.