Miss Akua Akyaa “Blackstar” Agyeman, representing the Western Region of Ghana, beat off a fierce challenge from nine other contestants to win the first annual Miss Ghana USA Pageant!

The pageant was organized by Miss Gloria Opare at the popular Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive in Richardson, Texas. The event was held on Saturday July 9, 2011. Despite the low attendance, the event was a hit as it showcased the beauty, talent, and brains of Ghanaian women in the United States!

The aim of the organizers was to bring together young Ghanaian women from across the United States, who are interested in serving an adopted community within the United States, and also to serve in the 10 regions of their ancestral country, Ghana. They also want to use the annual beauty pageant platform to empower and help the young women to reach their cherished goals.

Ten contestants, each representing one of the ten regions of Ghana were, adjudged in their talent, swim suit, traditional wear, evening gown and also endured questions on various topics including Ghanaian and American politics, history of Ghana, and the regions each contestant represented by three judges. They showcased their poise, talent, intellect, beauty, personalities so beautifully the small but enthusiastic audience could not help but to give them thunderous applauses and standing ovations.

Miss Opare often reminded the women that everyone is a winner, as the pageant began with the passion for humanitarian issues and the Ghanaian heritage that dwelled within their hearts. In addition to the gift of the pageantry journey, the evening was full of recognition and prizes. Along with being crowned Miss Ghana USA 2011, Miss Akua Akyaa “Blackstar” Agyeman won Miss Congeniality, a round trip air ticket from Chicago to Accra, and additional monetary prizes. The first runner up, Miss Eugenia Asante and the second runner up, Miss Ellen Osei, won $500.00 each. The online votes prized winners, Miss Michelle Amoah for “People’s Choice” and Miss Pearl Owusu-Ansah for “Miss Photogenic,” also took $500.00 each.

Miss Agyeman has taken Miss Opare’s words to heart and has expressed her commitment to her platform, her passion, cultural retention. She is a proud product of the Ghanaian community in Chicago, Illinois, and has vowed to give back to her community in Chicago and in Ghana all that it has given her: a sense of pride, family, community service and undying support and love. It is Miss Agyeman’s mission to create programming that will allow Ghanaians, especially Ghanaian youth, the means to preserve and maintain their culture, language, history, and tradition. She has been involved in the Ghanaian community as a young Adowa dancer, representing the Asanteman Association of Chicago and has performed at many of the Ghanaian functions (funerals, weddings,Ghana’s Independence celebrations and the Annual Ghanafest). She now serves as the Mentor and Education Chairperson for Adinkra Association, an organization that is committed to keeping young Ghanaians connected to one another and their culture. Miss Agyeman plans to continue to work in this same vein by being a notable servant and leader in her community. G2 E Creative of San Antonio, Texas, was the only and main sponsor of the event. They built the website of the event and also provided services in terms of pictures and video without any cost to the organizers. Miss Gloria Opare has started planning for next year’s beauty pageant. Auditions for contesting pageants and relocation of venue to Maryland, Chicago, New York and other cities coupled with heavy advertising and search for sponsors are in the pipeline for the 2012 Miss Ghana USA Beauty Pageant.

Juliana Sam of Julsam Fashions (630-410-8760 or. Cell is 773-574-5287), who created the evening and traditional wear for Akua Agyeman has become famous for her work with Ghanaian beauty pageant contestants as she also designed and made the evening gown for Miss Agnes Ntow, who was a finalist in the Miss Africa USA pageant last year. Sandra Enimil of Pretty Afrika Designs (prettyafrika.com) created the eccentric jewelry for Agyeman’s traditional wear.

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