Press Release: Gambia's Maria Sawaneh is Crowned Miss West Africa International IV The bright outspoken Gambian born Maria Sawaneh, formally known as Miss West Africa Germany, took the most popular African pageant title Miss West Africa International, when she was called centre stage on Saturday 23rd March to be crowned between Zalia Maiga, the 1st Runner-up from Mali, and Hawa Kamara, the 2nd Runner-up from Sierra Leone. The beautiful Maria is the first Gambian to take the international title and also the first Miss West Africa queen with a foreign title to be recognized as Miss West Africa International. Maria who had her traditional dress made by a Sierra Leone designer, evening dress made by Ghanaian designer 'Hall of Peters', and then walked to a song by Nigerian artists, really proved that she was ready to be an all round Miss West Africa Queen. The Miss West Africa staff stated "Maria is an amazing winner, her being a foreign queen is the right step to showing unity amongst West African's in and outside of Africa, and also showing that everyone of West African descent has a chance at being the international queen as long as they are capable of achieving a title in their own country. Our aim is to promote tourism in Africa, promote the beauty, the land, the culture and more, so embracing West African's abroad helps us accomplish this task a lot easier, and that's what makes Miss West Africa different." Zalia Maiga (Miss West Africa Mali 2012) gave Mali its first appearance in the top 3, whilst Hawa Kamara (Miss West Africa Sierra Leone 2012) secured a continuous appearance for Sierra Leone in the top 3. Youma Sall, (Miss West Africa Senegal 2012) received a Miss Photogenic award, and Aissatou Sakho, (Miss West Africa Guinea 2012) won Miss Congeniality. Speaking on the outgoing queen, CEO Nana Tamakloe said, "We are very proud of Vanny, she really set a great path for the Miss West Africa queens, just as those before her did, but I am very sure Maria is going to take it further, she is very charitable and has great media personality. We can't wait to begin working with her". Miss West Africa International 2013 was organised by Africaribes, Lda with support from Miss West Africa Ltd. Miss West Africa Ltd will soon be updating the public on the next regional Miss West Africa events. Please follow this link http://www.misswestafrica.com/pressmwaint2013.html  for the press release, and go to this link http://www.facebook.com/MissWestAfricaInternational  for more images. If you are involved in any media organisation and wish to hold interviews with any of the queens or the organisers, or discuss media partnerships please feel free to contact us. ___________________________ For more information regarding Miss West Africa contact Phil Antony Miss West Africa Ltd 91-93 Buckingham Palace Road Victoria, London SW1W 0RP Cape Verde +161 75 047 597 Ghana+233 549 582 882 UK T: +44(0)207 630 0064 UK M:+44(0)7432 614 918 Email: info@misswestafrica.com Website: www.misswestafrica.com ___________________________ If you wish to place an announcement for an event of a non-business type nature then contact here.