Following the 4th annual Miss Ghana USA 2014 scholastic beauty pageant that was held on July 12 in New York, speculation has been arising as to which young lady would be awarded the coveted title of Miss Ghana USA 2014 Global Ambassador.

After much awaited suspense, the Miss Ghana USA Organization announced last week that Atlanta resident and Miss Ghana USA 2014 finalist Whitney Appeanimaa Osei would assume the position for Miss Ghana USA Global Ambassador for the 2014/2015 pageant year. The application process was officially made available following the 2014 pageant to all young women ages 18-29 residing in the US.

Finalists from the beauty pageant were encouraged to apply as well as any interested young woman who was able to meet all of the qualifications: the application requirements included a bio sheet, a CV highlighting and validating prior leadership experience, documentation of proven community engagement and professional recommendation letters amongst other things.

“After careful deliberation over the contestants and prospects that applied for Miss Ghana USA Global Ambassador this year, we felt that Whitney Osei was one of the strongest and most qualified prospects for the position. Very early on in the Miss Ghana USA pageant competition, Whitney displayed inner and outer beauty, professionalism, intelligence and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She also exhibited a strong passion for working efficiently to solve social issues in Africa—these are all strong attributes that we look for when appointing an individual for such a leadership role.”

23 year-old Whitney Osei is currently a student at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia majoring in Business Administration. She is the co-founder of NGO REVAMP Africa and is currently the 2014 US Ambassador for the PerVita Foundation (Ghana). She was also recently appointed Marketing Director for Ghanaian-owned Christian lifestyle brand Chaste.

As Miss Ghana USA Global Ambassador, Whitney will work collectively with current Miss Ghana USA 2014 queen Idia Afua Tokunboh on current and new Miss Ghana USA projects and community initiatives. She will serve as a spokesperson for the organization and will also partner and volunteer for the entirety of her reign with at least one (1) Non-profit organization of choice, and (1) non-profit organization chosen by MGUSA, totaling a minimum of two (2) organizational partnerships. These organizations must be based in Ghana and possess ties with the US.

When asked about how she felt about her new role Whitney stated, “I am very excited about this new position. I strongly believe in the Miss Ghana USA organization’s mission to redefine beauty in the African perspective and promote strong female leadership and empowerment. I personally know and can attest to the fact that the organization does a lot for communities in Ghana and the United States: I’m going to make it my priority to really bring awareness to that and continue the great work that the organization is already doing.”

When asked what specific plans she had for the year Whitney reassured, “Since the pageant I have developed a campaign that aims to decrease brain drain in Ghana. In lieu of that I am currently working on a workshop series to identity career opportunities for college students and young adults in Ghana that will launch in March.

The workshops will connect students with business owners, to identify the skill sets that business owners are looking for then match them with the skill sets that students already have in order to provide them with job opportunities. We will also focus on entrepreneurship: identifying current trending markets and industries in Ghana and empowering entrepreneurs to create jobs in those areas.

All in all I am just looking forward to maximizing this opportunity to really serve the organization, my community and help my people. It’s not going to be easy, but I am definitely ready to take on the upcoming year!”

We wish Whitney all the best in her new role.