The third edition of one of the unique pageants in the country,Model of the Universe Ghana has been launched at the Novotel Hotel in Accra.

Model of the Universe was first introduced in the country in 2003 by 1st Royale Company Limited,holders of the local franchise.Since its inception,the pageant has been dedicated to achieving it?s sole objective of building career opportunities for young women in the fashion and textile and modelling industries.

Strictly dedicated to searching for a unique model who has what it takes to compete on the international stage and excel,it?s uniqueness lies in the fact that it is not beauty based but on a contestant?s height,unforgettable features,shape,style, elegance,intelligence,poise and attitude.

Another unique feature is that there is absolutely no talk or question and answer segment; all a contestant has to do is to be able to model well and hold herself well on the catwalk.

In her address,the Event Manager of 1st Royale,Mrs Nkechi Onuoha said this year?s edition promises to be a little different as they hope to focus more attention on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and help to improve the lot of women in the society in collaboration with appropriate agencies.

Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchway,Deputy Minister of Information congratulated the organisers for going through the odds to actualise their vision even when they faced opposition and commended them for their intent to dig deeper into the empowerment of women.

She however cautioned them to?do whatever it takes to keep up the standard set for this contest.A niche has been carved here,know that this niche has expectations which have to be met?.

Mimi Mensah,Model of the Universe 2004 in a short speech thanked 1st Royale Company for discovering her and granting her and her colleagues special opportunities they might not have gotten and called on the government to support the vision of the event organisers.

The winner of the maiden event,Maame Serwaa Boakye is in the United Kingdom for a modelling contract with the prestigious Platinum Modelling Agency and is currently doing the rounds on the catwalks in the United States while her runner-up Maame Efua Akyeampong is back from the Philippines where she represented Ghana at the Model of the World contest.

Model of the Universe 2004, Mimi Mensah is set to travel to Tanzania to stride the international catwalks.Her runner-up,Janet Agebli is also back from China where she represented Ghana at the Model of the World contest while second runner-up,Esaa Elorm Acolatse is back from Zimbabwe after representing Ghana at the Miss Tourism World event.

This year,the participants are expected to be involved in campaigns to help curb social and health vices in the society including continuous education against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The National Director of 1st Royale,Adwoa Sarpongmaa Baddoo outlined the procedure for this year?s event. According to her,pre-selection will be held in August at the Northern zone comprising Kumasi and the three Northern regions and the Southern zone comprising the Greater Accra Regions and its neighbouring regions.

After the pre-selection,the 20 finalists will be camped and taken through intensive grooming sessions for the grand finale which will take place on October 22 at the Accra International Conference Centre.