- A 20-year-old Ghanaian law student at the Univesity of Kent (Medway Towns), Shirley De Lawrence, has kept the title in West Africa by winning the 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth contest, in succession to Uchenna Obika of Nigeria, at the Polish Centre in Hammersmith, West London.
Shirley was recommended to the competition by Ben Black Photography. She is the third Ghanaian to win the crown. Jacqueline Baker and Michelle Supersad, the two representatives from Trinidad & Tobago, were second and third respectively.
The judging panel, which comprised former holders of the title Margarette Alcindor and Theresa de Roche, journalist Isaac Tschando, Anne Rose Mordi of Jewellery by Anne, Patsy White – promoter of Miss Elegance and Miss Asia World, former commere of the show Shyraine Mubiana, and representative of the public JoAnn Gosine, debated their decision long and hard, and it proved to be very popular with the public. There were 18 contestants representing 14 countries.
Former title-holders Uchenna Obika and Natalie Latan introduced and interviewed the contestants. The accompanying entertainment comprised singer Angel J and the Manic Boyz dancers, Ecology dancers and Tabot Mix, the United Christian Harmony Group and a hairstyling display by Rougz Hair & Beauty Salon.
Alafair Celestine, a former deputy holder of the title, interviewed the several guest beauty queens. The show was opened by Archbishop Dr Bancroft McCarthy. Moneygram sponsored the Cups and crowns, and the winner received further prizes from Jewellery by Anne, Evoke luxury leatherware, Cockspur rum, and Windies Cove restaurant.
Shirley Dee would like to take her prize holiday in Ghana, to which her predecessors, Natalie and Shaherah Williams, have already made very enjoyable and well-publicised tours.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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