Yayra Nego is Miss Universe Ghana

Accra, Jul 3, GNA – Miss Yayra Erica Nego, a 26-year old final year student of the University of Minnesota, US, is to represent Ghana at this year's Miss Universe Pageant, scheduled for September in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

This follows her crowing at the local pageant, held at Ghana's plush newly-opened Movenpick Ambssador Hotel, in Accra, last night.

She beat five other contestants to wear the coveted crown, having outsmarted them in four categories of assessment: Individual Presentation; Physical Fitness or Swimsuit Appearance; Interview and Question on National and World Affairs; and Composure and Grace.

Her contestants were Ms Jennifer Amegbor, the first runner-up and Ms Angelica Alomele, second runner up. Ms Deborah Esi Abban Tuffoh, Ms Asana Idrissu and Ms Yvonne Cruisy Dakku are the others

Ms Nego, who displayed exceptional smartness, intelligence and confidence, told the Ghana News Agency that she would use her position “to help Ghana continue to grow in HIV and AIDS awareness”.

The new beauty queen, who has a Ghanaian father from Mafi - Adidome in the Volta Region and an American mother of German and Persian ancestry, expressed confidence that her exceptional qualities would win the coveted global Miss Universe Crown for Ghana.

This year's event was judged by a panel of six, including Mr Luis Fernando de Andrade Serra, the Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana.

He, at the end of the ceremony, expressed his satisfaction with the efficient organization of the event and well wishes for Ms Nego in the September pageant.

Ms Valentina Sweetie Forte, Mrs Claudia Kwarteng-Lumor, Mr Dehner Henry, Mr Ameyaw Debrah and Mr Rodney Quarcoo are the other judges.

Mr William Bedzrah, Communications Director of the INSIGNIA GROUP, organizers and producers of Miss Universe Ghana, said the pageant, besides beauty, assessed the intelligence of the contestants, which is necessary for winning the crown on the global stage.

The Miss Universe Pageant, dedicated to advancing the professional, personal and humanitarian goals of young women, is a partnership of Donald J. Trump, a US real estate developer and billionaire, and a major television network, NBC Universal Incorporated.

GNA