Bolgatanga, Nov. 5, GNA - The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, has advised girls to avoid relenting in their academic pursuits and to aim for higher goals.

He was speaking at the Upper East at 50 celebrations on Thursday, when Miss Bernice Lariba Kumassey, 24, a student of Bolgatanga Polytechnic, was crowned Miss Upper East.

For her prize, she took home a double door refrigerator whilst Miss Paulina Pondor, 24, who represented the Bolgatanga Municipality, emerged second and received as her prize a single door refrigerator. Miss Persis Atubuga, 19, student from Bawku, was third and received a table top fridge.

As part of their prizes the winners would travel by ANTRAC Air to Accra and tour places of interest.

The beauty pageant was one of the events organised to bring colour to the Upper East at 50 anniversary celebrations. It attracted 18 contestants, two from each of the nine districts in the region. 5 Nov. 10