They came from all the ten regions to show how beautiful they are -- inside and out. And so far, it’s been too good. TV 3 made sure that ‘Ghana’s most beautiful’, lived up to its billing even though there have been criticisms that it turned out to be more of a talent show (what’s with the contestants singing, acting and crying?) than a beauty pageant. But the station has always insisted that “The theme for this concept is re-defining beauty to promote national unity” and not to choose a beauty queen with parameters which have been set elsewhere.

TV 3 was also accused midway through the show of stealing the idea from an Events Manager at Adehye Consult, Nana Mintah, who claimed ownership of the original idea. In response to this allegation, the station said it adopted the idea from its mother company in Malaysia, where a similar programme gained nationwide popularity.

And true to their claim, ‘Ghana’s most beautiful’ has truly been popular. Many text votes have been cast over the past weeks -- raking in huge sums of money for both TV 3 and OneTouch, the sponsors of the programme.

‘Ghana’s most beautiful’ might not exactly have been as popular as ‘Mentor’ but it’s been an exciting Sunday evening entertainment programme for many across the country. And for the contestants (even for the six who have been evicted) the programme has provided them with some exposure, which has made them stars in their own right. Who knows the doors that might be open to them as a result of their participation in the show?

But all good things must come to end, mustn’t they? And come Sunday, the die will be cast and ‘Ghana’s most beautiful’ will be crowned? Will it be pretty Ama from the Central Region or motherly Nana from the Eastern Region or eloquent and proud Adjoa from Ashanti or the well-rounded Esinu from the Volta Region? Surely, on the last day none of the contestants will leave anything to chance. So far, Esinu has shown her seriousness by shaving all her hair (ala Britney Spears). The hair will grow again and she doesn’t seem to be in the mood to let the first prize of a spanking new Peugeot 407 saloon car, slip through her fingers and the pundits here at JIVE have been rooting for her. The three other contestants have also brushed up on their skills and have groomed themselves quite well for the final showdown.

Host of the programme, Gideon Aryeequaye, promises that the grande finale will be nothing but “fireworks”.