Weeks of preparations crowned by a glamorous trip to sunny South Africa climaxed the Malaika pagent held at the conference center in November 2009.

Gezelle Addai who eventually won the context has  begun a year full of exciting prospects that include working with the Malaria Control Board as a National Youth Ambassador for the fight against Malaria.

The 18-year-old graduate of Holy Child School also becomes a Charity Icon for MTN, which will sign a promotional contract worth about GHC15, 000 with the new Malaika Queen.

Twenty-year-old Joan Amorin was second, winning for herself GHC 2,000 cash and sponsors’ prizes, while Trudy Arnold, 20, came third and won for herself GHC1, 500 cash and sponsors’ prizes.

The competition was described by many as flawless and was indeed a thrilling end to a successful beauty reality series from Charter House.

The 10 finalists Joan, Alberta, Victoria, Pamela, Gezelle, Trudy, Jasmine, Laila, Eklenam and Emelda were at their best right from when the programme opened to the very end when the final five were selected.

The show opened with a beautiful simulation of a runway complete with a dramatic paparazzi performance. The delegates walked briskly onto the stage one after the other to a screaming auditorium packed to the brim with fans and family.

This was followed by the presentation from each contestants, who spoke on varied topical issues from domestic violence, the lack of maintenance culture by Ghanaians through to first impressions and the ‘can do’ spirit among others.

This was followed by a question and answer segment, where the delegates picked a judge who then asked a question. From this segment the delegates moved to perform their individual talents, for which they had spent time to rehearse. It was Victoria’s depiction of the devastating effects of war on children that won the day and won for her the title of Miss Talent.

The fashion show segment followed and saw the delegates model in beautifully crafted designs from the designers using fabric from ABC wax print. In all, there were four designers whose works were showcased in the various segments during the night: Ivana Elle Cottoure, Royal Dennis, Ophelia of Crossland Exotic and Nana of Da Viva project fame. All the beautiful accessories were by the hugely talented RenОe Q.

Laila, Trudy, Gezelle, Joan and Eklenam made it to the final five. Joan was voted Miss Congeniality by her colleagues right there on the stage.

There was never a dull moment the whole night as the artistes ensured extra excitement.

There was Bradez, Sakodie, 4x4 and Wande Coal & the Mo’ Hitz squad from Nigeria. They kept the auditorium charged up with their individual performances, but the Bradez, performing together for the first time since the recovery of Kunta, elicited the most emotions from the audience.

Gezelle not only won the coveted crown of Miss Malaika Ghana 2009 but also drove home the sleek Kia Cerato saloon car and an annual salary of GHC 4,800 courtesy MTN. She also received mouth-watering prizes from other sponsors such as GHC 1,200 worth of talk time from MTN, a personal wardrobe from ABC wax print, a year supply of cosmetics and perfumes from Nouvelle Parfumerie Gandour, a year supply of hair extensions from Darling among others.