The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, welcomed Miss International Africa 24′, Aky Sanna Veisa, during a courtesy call aimed at strengthening cultural ties between Ghana and Cape Verde. The engagement focused on cultural exchange, sustainable development goals, and tourism collaboration across Africa.
Miss Veisa, a Cape Verdean national and recent Computer Science graduate, expressed her commitment to promoting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). She emphasized the importance of immersing herself in Ghanaian culture as a necessary step in authentically representing the African continent in her role as Miss International Africa. “As Miss Africa, I want to be the voice for those who are often unheard,” she said.
Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie lauded Miss Veisa’s initiative and reflected on her own experiences with Cape Verde and Sierra Leone, where she observed innovative public health initiatives such as public mini-gyms at bus stops. “That education has stuck with me for almost a decade. Investing in healthy lifestyles as a form of preventive health is something I truly admire,” the Minister noted.
Accompanying Miss Veisa was Miss Nereida Lobo, founder of the Little Crown Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education across Africa. Lobo shared her foundation’s journey in Ghana since 2017, including the renovation of two schools and plans to build a new school in a village in Bortianor, by 2026.
A former Miss Africa USA, Nereida Lobo, originally from Cape Verde, highlighted her mission to give back to communities across the continent. “Growing up in poverty inspired me to return and contribute,” she said, noting that her foundation also created the Miss Cape Verde International platform, empowering young women to use their voices for change. The platform produced the first African queen to place as first runner-up in the Miss International pageant in Japan.
The sector Minister commended both women for their work and urged continued collaboration to enhance cultural diplomacy, tourism, and development. “It takes courage to put yourself out there. You are learning every day and helping others do the same,” she remarked.
The visit reinforced the cultural and developmental bonds between Ghana and Cape Verde, highlighting the role of women leaders and cultural ambassadors in shaping a unified and progressive Africa. Plans for further cooperation in education, tourism, and youth empowerment were affirmed during the meeting.
Source: Delassie Mabel Awuku-PR Unit – MoTCCA
