The Founder of the Ghana Models Awards, Jerry Wonder Sampson, says modelling should be viewed as a career.
According to him, Ghanaians should pay attention to models just as they do to other professions like actors, musicians, and footballers, etc.
He said this at the annual Ghana Models Awards, which came off at the Airport View Hotel, Accra.
“Modelling is also relevant. At a point, I saw that there were a lot of interesting talents going about, and I was like, why don’t we appreciate these talents? Nobody was really doing it. The other reason is that we are drawing attention from corporate bodies and other relevant stakeholders to the modelling industry. It makes people know that there is a group of people who are doing something through modelling, and it’s empowering the nation. So they should pay attention to them just as they pay attention to actors, musicians, and footballers.”
His comment comes on the back of what he describes as a lack of interest in Ghana.
But speaking at the event, which was aimed at appreciating model talents, Wonder Sampson underscored the importance of modelling in the creative industry.
“You can’t do without models in the creative arts. Somehow you have to involve models. They help communicate the message even better. When you look at billboards, etc., models are involved in them. It’s all part of the creative process,” he said on Saturday, October 15.
He further advised models to act professionally.
“Models should act professionally, especially on social media. What you put on social media could damage the industry. I have seen a lot of people do nude and semi-nude photos just to show off their bodies. There is some aspect of that, but it should be done professionally. That is what is bringing the wrong impression here in Ghana.”
“We saw ladies in hijabs and they don’t show any parts of their bodies. Modelling can also be a decent profession. Even though you are modelling and competing with models internationally, you must allow the morals of your country to be part of it, and when we do that, everybody will accept it.”
Aisha Napari and Joseph T. Aggrey were named the ‘Overall Female Model of the Year’ and the ‘Overall Male Model of the Year’ respectively. They emerged from more than 25 nominees to win the top awards of the night.
