Miss Universe Under Attack

Veronica Varekova

Gifty Ofori, Miss Universe Ghana

A likely drama awaits this year’s edition of Miss Universe Ghana pageant as there are clear indications that reigning queen Gifty Ofori won’t be turning up at the event to present her crown to whoever wins the 2013 edition.
The 2013 edition is slated for Friday May 24, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.
Last week the 24-year-old model and nurse came out to complain about not receiving her full price package for winning the 2012 edition of the pageant from organizers, Insignia Experience and RAC Group.
She had to come out after her incessant calls on the organizers did not yield any result.
Current reports say Miss Universe Ghana has been receiving tons of attacks via phone text messages from alleged associates of the organizers, who have so far done nothing to make sure the lady gets her prices.         
Meanwhile organizers are not ashamed of the credibility issues and are rather busy parading high profile personalities to judge this year’s event in Accra.  
A press release this week says international supermodel Veronica Varekova will be arriving in Ghana this week to take up her duties as one of the high profile judges for this year’s event.
The former Victoria Secret model of Czech origins, is one of the most high profile models in the world and has appeared in the swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated a total of eight times: 1999-2002 and 2004-2007. She appeared on the cover in 2004.
In addition to SI, Vařeková has modelled for Victoria's Secret and became the face of NIVEA. Other contracts include Guess?, Chanel, Pantene, and Newport News.  She has also been a cover girl for Marie Claire, Harpers & Queen and Cosmopolitan.
The Miss Universe Ghana 2013 finale will be held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Friday May 24, 2013.
This year’s panel of judges is comprised of experts in each of the fields that a young woman must excel, in order to be named Miss Universe Ghana. Each judge will impartially assess the talent, beauty, intelligence and confidence of each contestant in addition to a number of different categories and at the end of it all, will have the hard task of deciding who will inherit the Miss Universe title and crown from the reigning queen.
Other confirmed judges at the Miss Universe Ghana pageant are 2011 Miss Universe winner Leila Lopes, actress Yvonne Nelson,  TV host Benny Blanco and Brian D. Hogan, founder and partner of Paradigm Group Capital LLC. The hosts of this event are actress Ama K. Abebrese and TV Host Nathaniel Attoh. The event’s entertainment will be provided by Ghanaian musician Fritz.
Prizes for this year’s winner include New York Film Academy Scholarship, Management and Public Relations team for the year, GH¢5,000 worth of wardrobe for appearances and the international competition, a gym membership and several others.