Queen Scholastica Nsiah Tiwaa, founder of the Miss Manso Beauty Pageant, has called on parents to empower their children by teaching them both practical skills and their native language, especially Twi, to preserve Ghanaian culture and identity.
According to her, it is not enough for children to be fluent in English while neglecting their local tongue. “Some Akan children can’t even respond when you speak Twi to them. That is worrying. As parents, we must teach our children our language. It’s how we protect and promote our culture,” she said.
She also emphasized the need to give young women the opportunity to develop their talents and gain hands-on skills that will help them succeed in life. “This platform is not just about beauty. It is to build confidence, learn our culture, gain job-ready skills, and empower the youth,” she stated.
Queen Tiwaa made these remarks during the audition of Miss Manso 2025, which was held at the New York City Hotel in Manso Akwasiso in the Amansie South District. Seventeen contestants showed up in African print tops, black jeans, and heels. All passed the initial selection, and organizers are encouraging more young women to take part in the initiative.
Sharing her personal journey, Queen Tiwaa recounted how beauty pageants shaped her life. She was crowned Miss Kumasi in 2018 and placed first runner-up in Miss Golden Stool 2019. “What I learned from those pageants has helped me to give back to my community through this platform,” she said.
Addressing misconceptions surrounding pageantry, she urged the Ministry of Culture to support such programs and help change negative public perceptions.
“People assume that beauty pageants are corrupt, and leaders take advantage of contestants. I had the same perception until I joined. It’s not true, and it’s time we change that mindset,” she noted.
Queen Tiwaa ended her remarks by calling on Ghanaian leaders to invest in reality shows and pageants, stressing their broader social value. “It’s not just about beauty or entertainment. It’s about raising confident, skilled, and culturally aware young women,” she emphasized.
