Monica Amekoafia was the first Ghananain Lady to win the first Miss Ghana Beauty pageant in 1957 representing the Trans Togoland.
Monica Amekoafia was born on 30th June,1934 at Alavanyo in the Volta Region of Ghana to Mr.Augustus Amekoafia and Madam Anaesthesia Apau.
She was contestant number nine (9) and ever since she won, Voltarians have been addressed with the number nine (9).
The Miss Ghana Beauty Pageant was started by the first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1957 as an initiative to offer the “Independent” Ghanaian woman a platform to positively impact society. It is the biggest and oldest national beauty pageant in Ghana.
The winner of the competition represents the country at the Miss World to compete with beauty queens from the other countries in the world.
Monica Amekoafia had opportunity to travel to London where she married to Ghananain Diplomat, Mr.Henry Kofi Marrah with two sons. But Monica already had two children in her previous relationship making four.
Monica’s husband, was transferred to Hungary in 1963. Monica Amekoafia and his husband returned to Ghana in the year 1966 after the overthrowning of Osagyefo Dr Nkrumah’s administration by the National Liberation Council (NLC).
Upon returning to Ghana, Monica Amekoafia engage in trade where she sells dress made by herself and other commodities despite being house wife.
Her husband also left the diplomatic job to establish his own business. But he later died in September 1985.
List of Miss Ghana winners from 1957 to 2012
1957 Monica Amekoafia
1958 Janet Boateng
1959 Star Nyaniba Annan
1960 Comfort Kwamena
1961 – 1966 No pageant
1967 Araba Martha Vroom
1968 Lovell Rosebud Wordie
1969 – 1985 No pageant
1986 Magdalene Adjabeng
1987 Augustina Henaku
1988 Dzidzo Abra Amoa
1989 Afua Amoah Bonsu
1990 Bridgitte Dzorgbenuku
1991-1993 No Pageant
1994 Matilda Aku Alomatu
1995 Manuela Medie
1996 Shiela Azuntaba
1997 Benita Golomeke
1998 Efia Owusuaa Marfo
1999 Miriam Sugru Bugri
2000 Ewurafua Hawkson
2001 Selasi Kwawu
2002 Shaida Buari
2003 Serena Naa Ashi Roye
2004 Inna Mariam Patty
2005 Lamisi Mbillah
2006 Irene Dwomoh
2007 Francess Takyi-Mensah
2008 Mawusi Apea
2009 Mimi Areme
2010 Stephanie Karikari
2011 No Pageant
2012 Naa Okailey Shooter
A huge statue he has been mounted in Monica Amekoafia’s hometown in honouring her achievement by winning the first Miss Ghana Competition.
Monica Amekoafia died on 24th June,1990 as a result from asthma attack.