Monica Amekoafia, first Miss Ghana winner

‍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.