Akuffo Represents Ghana At Miss Africa International 2005 In USA

Rachelle Akuffo, Miss Ghana International, grew up in England and then travelled to the United States. Her parents had always wanted their children to travel so that they could meet fellow Africans from the Diaspora. This Ghanian beauty feels extremely blessed to have a family who is always so supportive, so loving and provided her with a foundation of faith and culture that she is grateful for every day

The youngest in her graduating class at Howard University Law School, she later found that her heart was not in it. She had always loved creativity and making people feel their best, inside and out. She is currently studying fashion design at Marymount University in Virginia, and aspires to gain exposure for African designers, tailors, and those who produce some of the most beautiful fabrics but rarely get their appreciation. She feels that the Western standard of beauty has only recently started to embrace what Africans have known to be beautiful for centuries. Rachelle hopes to snatch the crown for Ghana, and with her beauty and brains, the other contestants need to watch out!

AGE: 27

HEIGHT: 5ft 9in

WEIGHT: 150

HOMETOWN: Akropong, Ghana

FAMILY: Father: Dr. Emmanuel Akuffo, Mother: Mrs. Cecilia Akuffo, Brother: David Akuffo (1st born), Sister: (2nd born) Dr. Frieda Akuffo

LANGUAGES: English, some Twi and Fanti, some French

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Howard University; Juris Doctor, University of McGeorge, Master of Fine Arts, Marymount University

AMBITION: To create my own fashion design company incorporating African designs, fabrics, art, designers and seamstresses in order to highlight our wonderful resources and create employment opportunities at home.

TALENTS/HOBBIES: Sewing, sketching, painting, singing, poetry, fishing and cooking.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Working with my church's Sunday School group for the UNICEF Trick-Or-Treat campaign where people donate their spare change, which goes to health and educational projects for countries in need.

AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Starting college at age 16 and graduating as the youngest in my class for both undergraduate and gradate studies. Played for England's Under 21 Netball team against France and Northern Ireland at the age of 17. Member of the African Students Association, the Graduate Student Association and treasurer of the Administration of Justice Society, received honors on the Dean's List, and currently working on the 'Study Bag' project to provide school supplies for those who do not have access to them.

CHARITIES: UNICEF

HUMANITARIAN INTEREST: Educational and health development for African youths.

SPORTS: Netball, Swimming, Football

WHY I AM PARTICIPATING IN MISS AFRICA INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT: To draw attention to the educational and health needs of African youth and dispel the stereotypes attached to the continent by showing that African women are beautiful, intelligent, graceful and productive without forgetting the strong foundation of faith and respect on which our culture is based.

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE DURING MY REIGN: To work actively with UNICEF to promote and support projects for education and health among African youths. This includes my 'Study Bag' project which will provide students with donated school supplies and books in stylish and sturdy bags designed by students and those who like to sew worldwide.

BRAGGING ABOUT MY COUNTRY: A land rich in gold, cocoa and sugar cane, the late and great Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana to be the first African country to gain its independence, our Kofi Annan is the UN Secretary, our famous kente cloth is known worldwide, and Prince Charles of Great Britain describes Ghanaians as one of the most humble and kind-spirited peoples he has come across.