By Ramatoulie Jawo.
The Gambia Fashion Designers Association with the Ministry of Tourism & Culture and other partners have relaunched the Miss Gambia beauty contest, following a 20-year halt, with the latest edition slated for 30th December 2022.
Speaking at the maiden press conference, Director General of National Centre for Arts and Culture, Hassoum Ceesay, said the beauty pageant is meant to empower the young women, culture and national unity in The Gambia.
“The Miss Gambia contest would be 100% Gambian culture, including music on how best to sell The Gambian culture and music,” he said.
Ida Saine-Conteh, Co-founder of Ida’s Ideas Training Institute said the Miss Gambia contest not taking place for a longtime means The Gambia was not being represented in the international contests.
“We are trying to bring back Miss Gambia as we have the support of the Ministry of Tourism & Culture and other partners,” she said.
She added that the event would be a big event and that everyone’s support is needed to make it a success.
The Co-founder of Ida’s Ideas Training Institute explained that the regional contest has already taken place in the Greater Banjul Area, Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region.
“We already have a Miss in each region (Banjul, KM, WCR). We will also be in the rural area starting from 30th October 2022 for the regional contests,” she informed.
Mrs. Saine-Conteh continued that they are not only looking for beautiful girls, but are also looking for beauty with brains, and that after the winner of the contest would represent The Gambia at the international level.
“The event will be conducted professionally, as we have plans for the winner to participate in the Miss Universe and Miss World (contests),” she further said.
Ida Bidwell Mansaring, CEO of Biddys Promotions assured Gambians that the pageant would be a wonderful one as they want to see the Gambia get to another level.
She said bringing back the Miss Gambia contest in partnership with the fashion designers of The Gambia ‘is a very great partnership for Biddy’s Promotion’.