Ghana's reigning Miss Malaika, Thelma Tawiah, returned home last week from South Africa where she represented Ghana at the just ended Miss Malaika International pageant without the ultimate crown. The event was won by Miss Malaika Gabon.

Miss Gambia and Miss Ethiopia were crowned first and second Princesses respectively.

Thelma failed to make it to the final 10 stage, and many Ghanaians who watched the event live on TV3 could not hide their disappointment, considering the splendid performance put up by the Ghanaian at the preliminary stages.

In spite of this, a beaming Thelma was philosophical when he say, "much as I went there to win, I also went there to have fun and to sell my country Ghana. I think meeting and interacting with the other ladies from other countries, I was able to achieve that. It was a great experience".

Back home in Ghana, Thelma is looking forward to finishing her work as Youth Ambassador for AIDS attached to the Ghana AIDS Commission. She is planning a series of events and activities to highlight the plight of people Living with HIV/AIDS.

With Thelma back home and her reign ending in July, a new queen would be chosen and the search for her successor has now moved into full gear. According to the organizers of the event, Charterhouse Production, dates for the preliminaries in Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi to select contestants for this year's Miss Malaika Ghana contest will be announced soon.