Jasmin Nana Yaa Adjeiwaa Assanoh, Ghana’s representative at the Face of Africa EU 2014 talks to enewsgh.com about joining the beauty pageant, her chances and the relevance of pageants.
Q. Who is Jasmin Assanoh?
A. My parents are originally from Ghana. I was born on September 30 in a small town in North West Germany called Bremen. I speak German as a mother tongue, English,and then Twi, and French at a basic level.
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I moved to the UK in 2007, before that I lived and studied in Germany. During secondary school, I achieved 14 A* to C grades which enabled me to progress to college.
In 2012, after two years of being at college, I was awarded with two scholarships to attend Aston University in Birmingham to study for a degree in International Business and Management.
After the first year, I changed my course to better reflect on career aspirations in politics. I now currently study Politics with International Relations and French.
Q. Any specific reason why you decided to be a part of Miss Face of Africa EU 2014?
A. There are two main reasons why I decided to be part of this pageant. It integrates African Europeans together and it gives you a platform in the Fashion/Modelling industry, which I have been trying to enter for some time now. I developed a huge interest in African politics, development, affairs and integration, after watching a documentary and reading about Africa.
It instilled in me a passion to inspire black people and educate them about life ;that it can be better than what people have set them up to be. The media might portray us Africans in one perspective but Africa is more than what is seen in the media but with the right assistance, will and faith, it can be changed.
Q. How will the Miss Ghana UK experience you gained help you in the quest to win the current competition you are involved in?
A. Every pageant has its own uniqueness. Some of the other contestants have had modelling, pageant or worked in the entertainment field prior to this event. My experience has allowed me to be more confident. It has improved my stage presence as well as how to articulate myself better.
You are recognised by people, so as an ambassador or representative of the brand, it is important that you are always prepared to speak to people who approach you and be friendly to them. These and more I believe will assist me during the Miss Face of Africa EU 2014.
“I developed a huge interest in African politics, development, affairs and integration, after watching a documentary and reading about Africa. It instilled in me a passion to inspire black people and educate them about life ;that it can be better than what people have set them up to be.”
Q. What project would you work on should you emerge as the winner?
A. Due to my huge interest in political affairs, development, integration and the black community, I would like to give back what I have learned not only in the modelling field but also in education. The next generation is the future and it is important to educate them.
Q. What would be your reaction if you don’t win or make it to the top three?
A. Making it to the final of a European pageant is an achievement already; however not making it to the top three will just encourage me more to chase my passion for Africa and modelling.
Q. Any thoughts on the relevance of pageants?
A. Beauty pageants are undermined by people thinking it is only about beauty but once you actually get to be a part, you get to know that it isn’t just about beauty but intelligence also. You need to memorise a lot of things and with African themed pageants, you need to understand and know about your roots.
You are trained to talk, walk and also how to approach people in a professional way. You also get to network with so many people. Beauty pageants are for both males and females, reason why myself and some friends created a beauty/cultural pageant called Mr and Mrs ACS UK.
Q. What is Mr and Mrs ACS UK about?
A. It is a cultural pageant that aims to set a platform in the modelling or entertainment industry for the African- Caribbean students in university. The reason we decided to name it a cultural pageant is because we focus more on embracing our African roots. It was created in 2013 by few other friends and I. There is more information available on www.mrmrsacs.co.uk and on Twitter @mrandmrsacsuk
The finale of the Miss Face of Africa EU 2014 is on October, 2014. Like her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/infomsjasmin for updates on the Miss Face of Africa EU 2014.
Photo credits
Designs from Miss Dee based in Ghana and UK
Stylist: Style Check Dee based in Ghana and UK
Make Up Artist: Daniella (Biney) based in London UK
Photographer: Onipa Dasani Photography
By: Gameli Hamelo/enewsgh.com