By Mariatou Ngum
Hon. Hamat N.K. Bah, the Minister of Tourism and Culture on Friday, 10th June 10, 2022 launched the Miss Gambia Pageant at the Ministry’s conference room in Banjul.
The launching was coupled with the signing of a tripartite agreement between the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Biddy’s Promotion and The Gambia Fashion Designers.
Speaking at the event, Minister Bah said the Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant has a rich history and tradition dating back to 1964 when Elizabeth Renner was judge of first Miss Gambia. The event coincided with the independence preparations and celebrations of The Gambia.
From 1964 to 2001, he revealed, the pageant was held regularly by various entities; such as the Meta Youth Club, Banzig Club and also sometimes it was organised by individual investors. “In this regard, I wish to remember hardworking people in the likes of George Gomez, Mr. Sering Secka, of blessed memory, who for many years had the singular courage and determination to keep the Miss Gambia pageant alive,” he remarked.
Minister Bah expressed belief that the Miss Gambia Pageant has a lot of potential as a tourism product, as a cultural event and also as a mirror for Gambian womanhood and beauty. “This is why we need to ensure that only bonafide organisers like you can be given the franchise to organise it,” he stated.
The Tourism and Culture Minister commended the NCAC for the tremendous work done to see the realisation of this great partnership, while commending the organisers, Biddy’s Promotion and Gambia Fashion Association for believing in the Miss Gambia project.
The Director General of the NCAC, Mr. Hassoum Ceesay stated that the signing of the tripartite agreement is to facilitate the holding of the Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant. According to him, they have been working on the Miss Gambia project for long now. Luckily, he said, they found willing and dependable partners through The Gambia Fashion Designers Association, and Biddy’s Promotion (highly recognised in The Gambia as a promotion, media and showbiz company).
“We believe that this will be a very powerful and useful agreement. The idea is the NCAC will give the franchise to them and they will do the ground work leading to the successful holding of Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant for the first time in 21 years,” he noted.
Ida Bidwel, the Chief Executive Officer of Biddy’s Promotion, explained that the motivation is to empower young people, give them valuable prizes like plots of land, cars and among others and take them to international platforms like the Miss Tourism World.
The President of the Fashion Designers Association of The Gambia, Mrs. Ida Saine-Conteh expressed delight to be part of this initiative and to be partnering with Biddy’s Promotion “because they have the idea; they have been organising beauty pageants”. She promised that this upcoming Miss Gambia Beauty Pageant will be one of the best The Gambia has ever seen.
