The beautiful and intelligent Agnes Ntow, a Ghanaian finalist in the 2010 Miss Africa USA contest hopes to use the platform to raise awareness and combat the issue of Child trafficking and prostitution in Ghana. After spending a few weeks in Accra and parts of the Volta Region, observing and interacting with children selling all manner of odd consumer goods on the streets, the Chicago based beauty came to the realization that the best way to eradicate such a canker is to tackle the poverty and lack of education aspect of it.

Agnes would be making her findings of a research she conducted into the subject matter while in Ghana at the Miss Africa USA finale slated for Washington DC on July 24. She will also be raising funds in the US to support children in some selected orphanage homes in Ghana.

Agnes says she wants to give a voice to the voiceless and empower the powerless by promoting education and advocacy on issues related to women and youth in Africa and America, and she is doing just that. Already she has broken into the male dominated world of Disc Jockeying, and she gets the opportunity to mentor teenage African/African American girls through her programme ‘Phenomenal Woman’. Also she has a radio show ‘Passport to a World’s View’ on WLUW 88.7FM (www.wluw.org/station/show/passport-worlds-view/)

“Within 5 years, I envision myself as a successful woman and mentor, who will be in mist of accomplishing my dreams within the media in Africa and America. I will be the "Oprah/Tyra" of Africa and help eradicate all negative connotations associated to Africa and Africans. In doing so, I hope to uplift the African people spirits by giving us a great sense of hope and pride which in turn help make our continent a land of great opportunity”, comments Agnes Ntow.

The Miss Africa USA Pageant is a vision of a Cameroonian American, Lady Kate Njeuma to unite the Community in celebrating the beauty of African women through a showcase culture and talent, empowering young African women in America as Leaders and Goodwill Ambassadors.The pageant was launched in October 2005 in Norcross, Georgia as Miss Africa Georgia but was changed to its present name after the organization received great feedback after the maiden edition and African girls from all over the United States expressed their interest and readiness in partaking in the competition.

The Miss Africa USA Pageant has evolved from the time it was launched in 2005 to what it is today. It focuses on building confidence and empowering young women to give back to under-served communities in Africa and in the United States of America. Today each delegate works on a micro project to benefit a community in need in Africa or America. For further details visit: www.missafricaunitedstates.com