The sixth edition of the Omaboryor Queen Pageantry in Old Baika, Jasikan District of the Oti Region, ended in triumph for twenty-year-old volunteer teacher, Esther Sefa Torbi, who hails from Agotime Kpetoe in the Volta Region. After six hours of intense competition, she emerged as Miss Omaboryor 2025, beating three other contestants in what has become one of the most anticipated cultural events in the community.
The Omaboryor Queen Pageantry, instituted in 2019 by citizens, community leaders, and the youth of Old Baika under the leadership of social, gender, and cultural advocate Nana Yaa Boatemaa, has steadily grown into a platform that celebrates culture, unity, and development. The name “Omaboryor” translates to “Miss Love Your Hometown” in the Leleme language, and the pageant has become a symbol of pride and empowerment for young women. It is designed not only to showcase beauty but also to instill discipline, perseverance, positive character traits, and societal values in participants. Over the years, it has encouraged young girls to pursue their dreams, live decent lives, and serve as role models within their families and communities.
This year’s competition featured four contestants: fifteen-year-old Junior High School graduate Magdalene Agoti from New Baika, seventeen-year-old Senior High School graduate Faustina Edzenunye from Old Baika, thirty-two-year-old teacher Yayra Addor from Hohoe, and eventual winner Esther Torbi. The contest was structured into four rounds. The first round focused on catwalks, the second required contestants to describe or narrate stories about their hometowns, the third celebrated heroes from their communities, and the final round allowed each contestant to share her vision and project to be undertaken if crowned Miss Omaboryor.
The event was not only a competition but also a celebration of culture and entertainment. Performances by groups and individuals, including Talented Boy and the Choreography Dancers from Old Baika, thrilled the large crowd of community members, fans, and patrons who gathered to witness the spectacle. The judges—Henry Otimpong from Accra, Esther Modza from Ho, and Juliana Agble from Old Baika—ensured fairness by allowing contestants to perform in English, Ewe, and Leleme, thereby engaging the audience and making the event inclusive.
At the end of the night, Esther Torbi was declared winner, with Yayra Addor taking the first runner-up position, Faustina Edzenunye placing second runner-up, and Magdalene Agoti finishing as third runner-up. Esther received a desktop monitor as her prize, while all contestants were presented with souvenir packages in recognition of their participation.
Speaking after the event, Executive Director of the Omaboryor Beauty Pageant Project, Nana Yaa Boatemaa, reflected on the journey of the initiative. She explained that since its humble beginnings in 2019, the pageant has grown into an enviable platform that has groomed and provided opportunities for many young women. She expressed pride in the transformation of past contestants, noting that many have gone on to positively impact their peers and communities. For her, the vision has always been to promote cultural values, build confidence, empower young women to cultivate good morals, and encourage them to aspire to greater heights while showcasing their talents to the world.
Nana Yaa Boatemaa also called on chiefs, community members, corporate Ghana, political leaders, and well-meaning individuals to support the initiative. She stressed that the pageant is not only about beauty but about empowering young women to prepare for the future, and she urged greater participation and encouragement for upcoming editions.
In her first remarks as Miss Omaboryor 2025, Esther Torbi attributed her victory to divine grace, describing her tears upon being crowned as tears of joy. She admitted to mixed emotions but emphasized that the crown was a reminder of discipline, decency, and perseverance. She encouraged young women to remain focused on their goals, assuring them that challenges, though inevitable, can always be overcome.
The Masters of Ceremony, Janet Obimpeh and Emmanuel Nyarko, concluded the evening by advising the contestants and other young women present to use the opportunity to inspire their peers and younger ones to take education seriously. Their words reinforced the broader mission of the pageant: to empower, educate, and uplift the youth while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Old Baika.