Accra, June 14, GNA - Alberta Arhin, Ghana's representative in the Nokia Face of Africa 2005 Modelling Competition, on Monday failed to make it to the finals. A press release from Multichoice Ghana Limited said this was after 16 semi-finalists from 12 African countries earlier this month went to Livingstone, Zambia, for a week-long final selection session that included photo-shots and a rigorous training session with industry experts.

The release said other five ladies who failed to make it to the finals were Aysha Salma Nassanga (Uganda), Celeste Caetano (Angola), Hawa Abdlykadry (Tanzania), Laimi Mondjila (Namibia) and Palesa Hycenther Moleshiwa (South Africa). Those who made it to the final event slated for the July 10 at Sun City, South Africa are Kaone Kario (Botswana), Tingirt Alenayehu (Ethiopia), Yordanos Teshager Bitew (Ethiopia), Anne Wambui Maina (Kenya), Opeyami Awoyemi (Nigeria), Doyin Haastrup (Nigeria) and Adeola Ariyo (Nigeria). The rest are Tiyani Maluleke (South Africa) Mirriam Jaulani (Zambia) and Greatmore Chatya (Zimbabwe).
The statement said a 125,000-dollar prize from Storm Model Management and a possible contract with the world's hottest fashion groups, magazines and designers awaits the winner. Nokia Face of Africa, a modelling talent initiative, was first launched in 1997 by M-NET to search for an iconic African beauty. The first event, which was held at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, saw a 17-year-old Nigerian Oluchi Onweabga winning the competition. The event, which is in its firth edition, has had other winners like 18-year-old Benvinda Mundenge from Namibia in 1999, Nombulelo Mazibulelo a 17 -year-old South African in 2000 and Ramatoulaye Diallo a 20-year-old Senegalese in 2001.