Accra, Nov.3, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday called for a global village of good fellowship, tolerance and mutual appreciation for humanity.

"Let us work together to make the world a global village that would be beautiful for us all", he said.

President Kufuor made the call when Contestants of the Model of the Universe 2003 Finals scheduled for Saturday, November 8 in Accra, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle Gardens, Osu. It is a modelling competition geared towards women, who want to pursue careers in fashion.

The event is the first to be organised in Africa, and contestants from 40 countries worldwide were expected to showcase an array of different cultures and talents under one umbrella in one country.

It is being organised by the First Royal Company Limited of Ghana in conjunction with Miss Tourism World Organization, the largest producer of beauty pageants and modelling competitions around the world with network of 115 countries.

President Kufuor said it was ideal for humanity to put on display such an array of natural beauty, adding: "Beauty gladdens the heart." He said: "As we work towards a global village and a beautiful world, our women endowed by nature with beauty should come together and show it to the world."

Mr Abubakr Saddique Boniface, Deputy Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, said the Government's vision to make Ghana the gateway to the West African Sub-Region and Africa was being manifested.

He said for Ghana to become one of the best tourist destinations in the world, organising the event was another form of tourism and consolidation of the Government's vision.

Miss Akosua Puni of the First Royal Company Limited of Ghana said it was a competition for young women to get onto the world market through modelling, while promoting Ghanaian culture and tourism. She said the criterion for selection to compete was the height and unique facial features of the contestants.

Twenty-one year old sales girl, Maame Serwah Boakye is representing Ghana.