THE 2008 edition of Ghana’s oldest beauty pageant, Miss Ghana- the fifth to be organized by Sparrow Production- was last Friday launched at the Airport West Hotel in Accra.

It was to outline programmes for this year’s occasion, scheduled for July 5 and, mark the beginning of the search for the most beautiful, intelligent and confident Ghanaian woman between 18 and 24 years of age, and at least 5ft, 7inches tall to represent Ghana at the Miss World pageant.

It would be followed by three different auditions scheduled for Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi. The Accra screening is slated for Easter Saturday, March 22 at the Airport West Hotel while the Cape Coast one comes on at the Sanaa Lodge on Saturday, March 29. In Kumasi, the audition is expected to hit the Miklin Hotel on Saturday April 6.

The launching ceremony attracted the patronage of ministers of state, TV and radio icons, and previous queens among other stakeholders who were treated to some enthralling musical performances from music star such, Elivava.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Dep. Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations indicated that “the beauty pageant has helped to shape the future of many young ladies who have contested pageants from the regional level to national and the world stage”.

These pageants, according to him, have instilled in the ladies self-confidence, discipline and self-esteem as well as exposed them to many opportunities. He thus called on organizers and sponsors of Miss Ghana in particular to maximize their support for the winner of this year’s event tasking Sparrow Productions to undertake a study to find out how all the past winners of the pageant are fairing in life, and how the crown has helped them in what they do currently as well their contribution to the development of society.

He explained that “the outcome of the study would help shape the perception of some young beautiful women and encourage them to present themselves for subsequent contests”. He congratulated the organizers for their tireless efforts in organizing Miss Ghana over the years.

Officially launching the pageant, Hon Cecilia Dapaah, Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, entreated the organizers to invite under-privileged girls to the Miss Ghana pageant.

“There are under-privileged girls in our homes or rural areas who would never ever have a chance to be at a hotel like this. So I plead with organizers if possible to choose one under-privileged girl from each region to witness the important occasion,” she said.

Miss Ghana 2007, Frances Takyi Mensah, who briefed the guests about her project on fistula, and her experience after wining the pageant, seized the opportunity to task society to give support to women who are affected by the fistula disease.

Officials of Sparrow Productions urged “all young women to have big dreams and participate in this year’s Miss Ghana”.