By Yunus S Saliu
In a well-contested competition, Rohey Cham, Representing the Kanifing Municipal Council, has been crowned the new winner of the Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant 2024. NafisatouCeesay of the West Coast Region and Mariam Manneh of the Upper River Region emerged as the 1st and 2nd Runner-Ups, respectively, at the competition held at the Coco Ocean Resort, Bijilo, on Saturday.
Miss Gambia Beauty Competition was officially organized by Biddy’s Promotion, in collaboration with the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MoTAC).
14 finalists participated in this competition two winners, winner and first runner-up from each region and council across the country made the list. They were Ramatoulie Mballow and Nafisatou Ceesay from the West Coast Region; Rohey Cham and Fatoumatta Daffeh from KanifingMunicipal Council; Binta Njie and Sainabou Jeng from Banjul City Council; Ramatoulie Ceesay and Janding Ceesay from the North Bank Region; Kumba Summareh and Fatoumatta Janneh from the Central River Region; Mariama Manneh and Tida Drammeh from the Upper River Region; and Sally Cham and Mariama Kanaji from the Lower River Region.
The competition, held in a new dimension, saw the new Miss Gambia, Rohey Cham, triumph over 13 other finalists from different regions and councils.
Speaking at the opening of the event on Saturday evening, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Honorable Abdoulie Jobe congratulated all contestants that contested in the second edition of the Beauty Pageant after its revived and revitalized and organized by Biddy’s Promotion.
The Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant, as expressed by the Minister, was revived by the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) working under the directives of the MOTAC in 2022 with the formal signing ceremony of an Agreement between the organizers namely, at the time, NCAC, The Gambia Fashion Designers Association, and Biddy’s Promotion.
“The 2022 edition came following more than 20 years’ hiatus when the Pageant did not occur. Luckily, the 2022 edition was a success, and we were able to crown a Miss Gambia. I wish to state our sincere thanks to all those who played a part in the 2022 edition for a job well done,” Minister Jobe expressed appreciation.
Minister Jobe confidently proclaimed that the Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant has great potential as a Tourism Product, a cultural event, and a mirror for Gambian womanhood and beauty, all of which fall within the priorities for youth empowerment and cultural celebration.
“This is why we needed to ensure that only bona fide organizers like you Biddy’s Promotion can be given the franchise to organize it,” he added volume.
The Honourable Minister went on, “Biddy’s Promotion was given the sole franchise to organise the event because of its earlier experience in holding such events. We are happy to note that extra effort has been made this year to organize a successful event and our kudos and commendation go to Biddy’s Promotion. We have taken note of the efforts to have a countrywide selection process so that every region and council is represented. And by also, take note of your effort to publicize the event to give it the amplitude it needs.”
Minister Jobe quickly hailed the strong support given by Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta-Bah Barrow to this event, and to the previous one “This is indeed a great source of strength to this event and to the aspiring Miss Gambia.”
However, he thanked all those who supported this event in terms of sponsorship, to the NCAC for guiding the process, and to Biddy’s Promotion for the good coordination, and of course the Regional Governors, Mayors, and parents of the contestants.
The event was graced by high dignitaries include the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, regional and council representatives, directors, different sponsors and partners, the former Miss Gambia, and the runners-up. The Gambia Second Lady on behalf of the Gambia First Lady crowned Rohey Cham, the winner of Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant 2024.
