The Gambia has emerged 3rd runner-up at the 2013 Miss ECOWAS beauty pageant held recently in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan.
The Gambia was represented at this international competition by Miss Anna Manneh, a 20-year-old promising model. The competition brought together young models from within the Ecowas member states.
Speaking to The Point upon her return, Miss Manneh said that to represent her country was not really an easy task but, as she put it, “I had to make it through because as it is said out of the whole country, I having the potentials to go out there to represent The Gambia, was a huge thing.”
According to her, she worked hard, thus she was able to accomplish her mission in Abidjan with success.
“It was so hard because we had little rest with so many rehearsals, but at the end of the day, the outcome was incredible. I had to remove all what was in me without any fear and at the end things turn out great and I’m very grateful,” she said
It being the first time for the teenager to take part in the Miss ECOWAS competition, Miss Manneh said it was an adventure and an amusing experience for her.
“I felt so emotional and amused looking at the large crowd, that I did not know who was cheering and supporting me. People showed so much love, and with that I got a lot of courage,” she added.
As to what is next for the promising young model, she said she is working very hard, as she is also a student studying fashion and design, sewing and clothes making, which she said are all in the spirit to contribute her quota to national development.
Asked how she started modeling, Miss Manneh told this paper that it started years ago, thanks to the support and motivation from her trainer, a William Brown.
Miss Manneh had in the past taken part in many competitions, among them the Fashion Weekend Gambia, Gambia Fashion Designers Association, and also in the Gambia Fashion Night.
She also used the interview to thank her family and fans for the support and motivation, particularly her mother, Mrs Fatou Mbowe, and her step dad, Dr. Tamsir Mbowe, for the unflinching motivation.
She finally called for more support and motivation from the general public, while assuring all that she will always be available to represent The Gambia in any competition.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde’s Cristy Spencer was crowned winner of the 2013 edition of the Miss ECOWAS beauty pageant.