The event, which celebrates glitz, glamour and beauty, also seeks to showcase Gambian fashions, intelligence and style, attracting participants from the seven administrative regions.
Miss Glorious Kaddijatou Njie, who bagged the Miss Gambia title was presented with a cheque of Two hundred and fifty-thousand dalasis (D250,000).
Miss Haddy Saho, widely known as Mamacita, emerged first runner-up and was handed a cheque for One hundred and fifty-thousand dalasis (D150,000); while Mariama Jallow alias Bobo, secured second runner-up and received Hundred thousand dalasis (D100, 000).
The prizes were presented to the winners by Ahmat N.K. Bah, Minister for Tourism and Culture.
Addressing the gathering, Ahmat NK Bah, Minister of Tourism, acknowledged that the country’s entertainment sector is still lagging behind.
“This country doesn’t welcome its own entertainment and we have a negative concept towards entertainment."
Minister Bah noted that it's time people embrace the entertainment sector for it is fundamental in the development of any nation.
This pageantry, he added, is promoting the Destination Gambia slogan, further expressing his resolve to support the young queens in their future endeavours to be able to contribute to self and national development.
For her part, Mrs Ida Saine Conteh, chairperson of The Gambia Fashion Designers Association, thanked the team and the Ministry for making the event a success.
She, however, advised the beauty queens to respect their crown and understand that they are serving as ambassadors of The Gambia especially when they represent the country overseas.
Miss Haddy Saho, second runner-up, reminded colleagues that pageantry goes beyond the physic and the beauty, saying it includes intellectual ability to propel change and contribute to sustainable development.
She promised to stand firm on her plans of action, further calling for more support from all and sundry to be able to accomplish their task.
