The Empower Tradition and Culture Foundation Ghana (ETCFG) has officially launched the maiden edition of the Miss Tourism Kwahu (MTK) 2026 pageant, marking a significant step toward promoting tourism and cultural heritage in the Kwahu enclave.

The event, held on February 14, 2026, at Wags Hotel in Obomeng, drew a vibrant crowd and symbolically aligned with Valentine’s Day to celebrate love for culture, heritage, and the Kwahu land.

ETCFG, a non-profit organisation focused on youth empowerment and community development, is spearheading the initiative as part of efforts to harness tourism as a driver of economic growth, cultural preservation, and local identity.

Founded by Bright Owusu Asante, popularly known as Nana Sika Jnr, in collaboration with co-founder and Deputy Director Carl Obeng Newman, the foundation introduced the pageant not merely as a beauty contest but as a structured tourism advocacy platform aimed at repositioning Kwahu as the “true Jewel of Ghana.”

Organisers emphasised that Miss Tourism Kwahu goes beyond glamour, describing it as a campaign rooted in purpose, empowerment, and cultural promotion.

A major highlight of the launch was the unveiling of 16 contestants representing various towns across Kwahu.

The participants, aged between 18 and 30, were selected through auditions conducted via radio and community outreach platforms, based on criteria including confidence, communication skills, cultural knowledge, and passion for tourism.

The organisers also engaged traditional authorities, local assemblies, and community leaders to ensure the pageant is conducted with professionalism and respect for local customs and traditions.

As part of the competition, contestants will undergo a series of developmental activities ahead of the grand finale scheduled for April 4, 2026, to be held behind the Obomeng Palace. These activities include training in entrepreneurship, leadership, soap and bead making, cultural education, and community service.

Additionally, contestants are expected to document tourist attractions within their respective communities, develop investment proposals, and produce cultural content aimed at attracting investors and promoting Kwahu’s tourism potential.

The 2026 edition is being held under the theme, “Discover Kwahu: Empowering Women, Preserving Heritage, Promoting Tourism.”

The pageant will feature segments such as traditional wear display, cultural dance performances, storytelling on historical sites, tourism presentations, and exhibitions of indigenous crafts.

The initiative has received support from traditional leaders, Municipal and District Chief Executives, and the Ghana Tourism Authority, with ongoing discussions to establish links with the national Miss Tourism Ghana platform.

Beyond the competition, ETCFG is undertaking community outreach programmes, including visits to the Nkawkaw Police Station and Bless the Child Orphanage Home in Kwahu Nkwatia, alongside youth skills training initiatives aimed at promoting self-reliance.

Organisers say the pageant is expected to deliver long-term benefits, including leadership development for contestants, increased tourism visibility and investment for Kwahu, and enhanced promotion of Ghana’s cultural heritage both locally and internationally.

Members of the public are encouraged to support the initiative by attending events, sponsoring contestants, forming partnerships, and engaging with the pageant on social media platforms.

As its maiden edition, Miss Tourism Kwahu 2026 is expected to lay a strong foundation for a distinctive tourism brand for the Kwahu area, with organisers expressing confidence in its potential to drive sustainable cultural and economic transformation.