ECOWAS Peace Pageant Coming

ECOWAS Peace Pageant Coming

In its quest to promote and consolidate peace in the sub-region the Ecowas Commission, in partnership with Ghanaian events company, 702 Productions, has designed a pageant to promote the Peace and Youth Agenda of the Commission globally.

The pageant, dubbed ECOWAS Peace Pageant is also to mobilise the youth to effectively contribute to the Political, Cultural and Socio-economic Development in the West African Region.

The competition will be an annual event at which one candidate from each of the 15 member states of ECOWAS will engage in a healthy intellectual contest, to find the best mind and character for the prestigious title and post of "ECOWAS Peace Ambassador". She will then be crowned "Miss ECOWAS".

According to the organisers, this year, the government of Rivers State in Nigeria is hosting and co-sponsoring the event scheduled for Saturday, December 20 and will be broadcast live on National Television in Nigeria, and later telecast in each of the 14 other competing countries.

“This year's winner will take home a brand new 2008 Honda Civic with an ECOWAS registration plate, $5,000 cash, and Peace Mantle which she will present to the Presidents of each of the 15 member states during her 2009 ECOWAS Peace Tour.

“As her responsibilities, the Peace Ambassador will be expected to champion a social cause of her choice in her country, assisted by her first and second runners-up. She will make an official appearance at all ECOWAS events in her country. She will tour all 15 ECOWAS States, and attend one fundraising event in each State.”

The winner will attend and make presentations at the ECOWAS Summit, Africa Peace Summit, and World Youth Summit respectively if they do occur during her year of reign.

She will also attend ECOWAS fundraising events as and when they occur outside ECOWAS.

Representing Ghana this year is 23-year-old Anne Yaa Meriekuaa Ayim. Anne is a Psychology graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon. She was chosen from 60 young women who were scouted for, and underwent a series of grueling interviews.

Anne is currently in Port Harcourt battling with the 14 other contenders, including Nigeria's candidate, a Petro-Chemical Engineering graduate, in a series of presentations, debates and interviews which will climax with a night of glitz, glamour and unprecedented entertainment.

American R&B superstar, Joe Thomas and Ghana's dance machine, Slim Busterr will treat the VIPs to their skill and talent at this spectacular event.

Anne is confident about her chances, and tells Ghanaians that come Saturday, she will be crowned Miss ECOWAS and appointed ECOWAS Peace Ambassador 2008.