The notion about beauty queens being promiscuous is false, Miss Africa 2016, Rebecca Asamoah has said.

There is a public perception that pageants in contest are often sexually exploited before they are crowned winners. A section of the public have also cited the manner in which these contestants dress on stage as the basis for their argument.

However, Rebecca, 24 speaking on Radio Univers’ mid-morning show, Brunch2Lunch on Tuesday said the assertions are untrue.

She urged parents to support their children who may express interest in participating in pageantries.

“With the society we are coming from, there is this misconception about pageantry. They think it is full of promiscuity and all that. They tend to discourage individuals who would want to take part. I have had an experience, I would say to them that they shouldn’t listen to such claims. I would appeal to parents to give their kids the opportunity to come out,” she noted.

“Beauty pageantry empowers you to come out from your shell. It will also groom you to become a better person. You will learn a lot and at the same time, you will go places. We don’t expose ourselves. It’s never true. To be honest with you, we never wore bikini at Miss Africa. It shows you how decent you could be as a queen,” the dental hygienist added.

Rebecca, first Ghanaian to win Miss Africa beat competition from eleven contestants who had been trimmed from forty.

Michelo Malambo of Zambia was first runner-up while Jemimah Kandimiri from South Africa placed third.

Rebecca Asamoah represented Ghana after placing third at Miss Ghana 2015. Winner, Antoinette Delali Kemavor is expected to represent the country at Miss World 2016 while Afua Asieduwaa Akorfa who came second will represent Ghana at Miss ECOWAS.