The Pageant is an annual event with a special focus on braided hair attachments where ladies are strategically selected to partake in the competition.  It was organised by the Kaneka Corporation Japan, manufacturer of Kanekalon synthetic hair fibers. The pageant, which has been held annually since 2010 was on the theme: “Crowning the African Beauty.”

A statement issued by the company in Accra, said the Pageant has been broadened to include confidence and pursuit of dreams and to redefine the essence of beauty. All applicants were Kanekalon users with a charming and proactive personality with high morals.

For more than 50 years the company has been at the forefront of R&D and manufacturing synthetic fibers geared for creating the finest hair products. This was due to the care about the safety of products and the crave to develop a technology that made fibers especially safe and flame-retardant. Kanekalon braid products used in Ghana include: Obaasima, Xpression, Outre, African Queen, Bulky Kinky and Nina.

Kanekalon® is natural feeling, lighter, softer hair with more natural body to complement today’s modern fashionable lifestyle. This world renowned synthetic fiber is what has made "Kanekalon®" the best quality synthetic hair over the past 50 years. Kanekalon is widely used for wig and hair extension around the globe. In Lagos, 20 finalists selected from regional screenings were chosen to compete in the 2016 Pageant.

Each applicant teamed up with her own hairstylist to showcase their hair and displayed their talents in addition to answering general questions. In 2015, Esther Chiamaka Chukwujekwu was crowned the first ever Miss Kanekalon. At this year’s event, Miss Benahili Ojeme Faith, a 19 year-old undergraduate student from Edo State, studying Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Lagos produced a stunning performance to win the coveted crown, taking home the grand prize of a brand-new Nissan Altima car, a slot in a television commercial, Kanekalon products for a year and a mouth- watering two million Naira.

Miss Mahalia Bamford, a 22- year- old level 400 student from Ghana reading a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Cape Coast, was the first runner-up, while Opaluwa Ojotule Tamarai of Nigeria emerged second runner-up. For their prizes Miss Bamford received 1.5 Million Naira while Miss Tamarai got One Million Naira and both of them received a Samsung Flat screen TV.

Another Ghanaian, Ms Ohemaa   Achiaa Agyekum from the Catholic University, Sunyani was adjudged Ms Congeniality (Most behaved / friendly contestant).    Faith said: “I am delighted to have won this. It was highly competitive but I was able to produce my best on the day when it mattered most.”

The winner is assigned a one-year contract and gains exclusive access to events such as fashion shows and opening galas, as well as access to casting calls and modelling opportunities.    On account of the success of the two Pageants organised so far, Ghanaian ladies could look forward to the next event in 2017. The event featured captivating performances by popular artistes; Patoranking and Falz the Bad Guy.

By all indications the contestants, sponsors, vendors and guests really enjoyed the event.

To reach the final, the contestants had to successfully complete an audition.On the way to the finals each contestant was individually assessed by a panel of judges on their overall performance and suitability for the competition. The areas of interest included charity fundraising, publicity and personality. This year saw five Ghanaian ladies joining their Nigerian counterparts in the pageant for the very first time. These are Mahalia Bamford, Ohemaa Achiaa Agyekum, Edinam Coffie, Vera Pearsah and Phyllis Amakye.

The selection process started with three campus recruitments namely at the University of Cape Coast, Accra Polytechnic and the University of Education- Winneba. Other ladies applied via social media, particularly facebook and instagram.   A total of 87 ladies were selected to qualify for the final audition stage in Accra from, which five finalists were shortlisted to join 15 Nigerian finalists for the grand finale. Each contestant had a professional Hair Stylist for the show.

“We care about beauty, but we care just as much about the safety of our products,” said Mr Hiroshi Seko, General Manager of Kaneka Liason Office. The public could visit: https://m.facebook.com/kanekalonafricapage/ for more information on the event, past and present.