Gifty Ofori
Miss Universe Ghana 2012, Gifty Ofori, says she has not regretted her decision of participating in a beauty pageant, and she would do it again if there is the opportunity in her next life.
According to her, although her pageant life hasn’t been a perfect journey for her, it’s been worth the path.
“It has shaped me in so many ways ‒ psychologically, emotionally, physically; life in itself is a whole package,” she disclosed in this in exclusive interview with NEWS-ONE.
The ex-beauty queen, who in July 2019 launched a fashion career and an outlet called Donuki, said she misses the experience of being part of a pageant.
She also spoke about going into politics and supporting the current government as well as how Covid-19 affected her fashion business.
Below is her conversation with Francis Addo:
How is the fashion business going for you?
Business has been good by God’s grace, though it hasn’t been a smooth journey, I must say.
Has coronavirus outbreak affected the business in any way?
The retail industry felt the effects of Covid-19 more than most. Physical stores closed as lockdowns forced shoppers to stay away. Concurrently, e-commerce boomed but only for essentials. So, yes it did affect my fabric business due to the lockdown and no social gathering means no events. So, I didn’t have the numbers buying like they used to. Just a few customers were buying. But for my virtual etiquette school, it was okay so to speak.
How seriously do people in your circles take the pandemic?
They are serious about it because of my nursing background; I never compromise. Masks are always on, hand sanitizers or hand washing.
Any measures at the shop to prevent coronavirus?
Yes! ‘no mask, no entry’ posters are everywhere. Hand sanitizers are applied too.
Let’s talk about you as a former queen.
The journey has been phenomenal. In my next life, I will do it again.
How is life treating you as a past queen?
It hasn’t been perfect but it’s worth the path. It has shaped me in so many ways ‒ psychologically, emotionally, physically; life in itself is a whole package.
How do you miss the pageant stage?
Hahahahaha! (laughs), I miss it. It gave me the exposure. Too much of it. As I said, I will do it again in my next life.
What do you make of today’s pageantry compared to your time?
I think nothing has changed in terms of the pageant system. When new girls decide that they want to do a pageant, they often don’t realise that not all pageants are alike. Just because the majority of pageants have common areas of competition like interview, fitness and evening gown, it does not mean that all pageants are the same. In fact, every pageant and pageant system in the world has its own style, values and culture. What every pageant and pageant system is looking for in their prospective titleholders is drastically different from other pageants and pageants systems. Every pageant organisation has its own brand and that brand is unique to that company. There may be similarities with other organisations, but each system tries to carve out their own special niche in the pageant world.
Will you advise your daughter to go into any pageant? Why?
Yes, the benefits are countless. It comes with confidence: in the midst of being in a pageant I learned that people can be destructive or supportive. Friendship: The other contestants you are around during your journey will most likely become lifelong friends if everyone has the same intention. The rest include getting scholarships, improving your communication skills, networking, exposure and other opportunities as handling stress, pressure and disappointments.
Will you love the idea of organising a pageant yourself one day?
Never say never but I don’t have it on my to-do list. For now, I am just focused on my work and politics.
So with politics who are you supporting? Are you likely to become an MP for Ada one day?
Obviously, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but for the constituency the world will know when the time is right.
By Francis Addo