The Ghana’s Most Beautiful queens paid a familiarisation visit to Linda Yaa Ampah, the longest-serving judge in the history of Ghana’s Most Beautiful, for an engaging encounter that brought together mentorship, entrepreneurship, fashion and personal inspiration.
Although Mrs. Ampah now joins the judging panel for the grand finale rather than appearing throughout the weekly live shows, her longstanding association with the pageant has made her an important part of its history. For the contestants, meeting her in person offered an opportunity to connect with a distinguished figure whose influence extends well beyond the television screen.
The visit took the ladies to KAD Manufacturing, Ampah’s garment manufacturing enterprise, where they were welcomed into her world of creativity, production and business leadership.
Beyond the Crown: A Tour of KAD Manufacturing
For the contestants, the visit was more than an opportunity to meet a familiar face from television. It was a chance to see what vision, determination and enterprise can accomplish.
Mrs. Ampah took the queens on a tour of her multipurpose textile and garment manufacturing facility, introducing them to the various stages of production and the work that goes into transforming ideas and fabrics into finished garments.
The tour offered a closer look at the scale and organisation behind the business, giving the contestants a practical glimpse into an industry where creativity, technical skill, teamwork and commercial discipline intersect.
Through KAD Manufacturing and its sister fashion brand, Cadling Fashions, Mrs.Ampah has built a business with a strong presence in garment production, including school uniforms and clothing for fashion brands. Her entrepreneurial journey has also been shaped by a commitment to creating employment and training opportunities, particularly for women who need pathways to economic independence.
Her business story demonstrates that success in fashion is not limited to designing beautiful clothes. It also involves building systems, developing talent, creating jobs and sustaining an enterprise that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
For young women preparing to represent their regions on one of Ghana’s most prominent cultural platforms, the experience offered a valuable lesson in translating ambition into tangible impact.
An Encounter with an Icon
The excitement among the contestants was evident as they met Mrs.Ampah, whose association with Ghana’s Most Beautiful spans many years.
For the queens, the opportunity to interact with her away from the judging table created a different kind of connection. Rather than encountering the experienced judge whose assessments form part of the competition’s defining moments, they were welcomed into the world of a businesswoman whose achievements provide another perspective on what it means to build a lasting legacy.
The ladies expressed their joy and satisfaction at meeting her, appreciating the opportunity to learn from her experiences and gain insight into her work.
The encounter also brought the GMB@20 anniversary theme of celebrating culture, grace and legacy into sharper focus. As the pageant marks 20 years of showcasing Ghanaian identity and nurturing young women, interactions with accomplished women such as Mrs.Ampah provide contestants with examples of how visibility, personal development and professional achievement can complement one another.
The visit reinforced an important message; the GMB experience can extend beyond the pursuit of a crown. The relationships formed, experiences gained and lessons encountered along the way can also contribute to each contestant’s growth and future aspirations.
Pieces of the Portrait: A Gift of Courage and Hope
One of the most meaningful moments of the visit came when Mrs.Ampah presented each contestant with a copy of her book, Pieces of the Portrait.
The gesture added a deeply personal dimension to the engagement, allowing the queens to leave with more than memories of the factory tour. Each received a book that offers insight into the life and experiences of a woman whose public achievements are only part of her story.
Published in 2019, ‘Pieces of the Portrait’ is Mrs.Ampah’s autobiography. The 13 chapter book recounts her experiences of childhood sexual abuse, the loss of her mother at a young age and the challenges she navigated while growing up and building her life. It also explores her faith, resilience and determination to overcome painful experiences.
In sharing her story, Mrs.Ampah has sought to encourage conversations about child sexual abuse and the importance of responding to survivors with understanding, care and support.
The book’s significance lies in its reminder that a person’s achievements do not necessarily reveal the struggles behind them. It presents a more personal portrait of a woman who has confronted difficult experiences while continuing to pursue her ambitions and contribute to the lives of others.
For the GMB@20 contestants, receiving the book was an opportunity to encounter another side of Mrs. Ampah’s journey, one defined not only by professional accomplishments but also by the courage to speak openly about painful experiences.
It was a fitting gift for young women preparing to step into greater public visibility and responsibility. Beyond the glamour and excitement of the finale, their journeys will continue to demand courage, self-awareness, discipline and a willingness to make a difference.
Celebrating Women Who Build Legacies
Mrs.Ampah’s story brings together several dimensions of achievement that resonate with the aspirations of the GMB contestants.
As a fashion entrepreneur, she has built a garment manufacturing business around creativity, production and employment. Through her work, she has demonstrated the potential of the fashion industry to create economic opportunities and develop practical skills. Her commitment to training and employing women has also given her enterprise a social dimension beyond commercial success.
As an author, she has used personal experience to encourage awareness and understanding of childhood sexual abuse. And through her longstanding association with Ghana’s Most Beautiful, she remains connected to a platform that celebrates Ghanaian culture while providing young women with opportunities to develop their confidence, communication skills and leadership potential.
For the contestants, the visit brought these different aspects of her life together in one encounter.
It was a reminder that a legacy is built through consistent work, difficult decisions, personal growth and the willingness to create opportunities for others. It is also a reminder that there are many ways to make an impact, whether through business, storytelling, mentorship or service to society.
As GMB@20 celebrates two decades of cultural storytelling and female empowerment, the visit provided a fitting opportunity for the queens to reflect on the possibilities that await them beyond the competition.
The Road to the Historic GMB@20 Grand Finale
With their encounter with Ampah adding another memorable experience to their GMB@20 journey, attention now turns to the competition’s much-anticipated grand finale.
The 20th edition of Ghana’s Most Beautiful has celebrated Ghana’s diverse cultural heritage, regional identities, traditions and stories while challenging contestants to demonstrate eloquence, creativity, knowledge and leadership.
The season will climax on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the National Theatre in Accra, where the finalists will make their final bids for the coveted Ghana’s Most Beautiful crown.
The stakes are significant. According to the organisers’ announcement, the winner will receive a new crown, a car, GH¢200,000 in cash, a scholarship for a master’s programme, a gold jewellery set and the opportunity to represent Ghana at the Miss Earth global pageant, alongside an ambassadorial deal with a sponsoring brand.
As the queens prepare for their final appearance, their visit to Linda Ampah stands as a reminder that the true value of the GMB@20 experience extends beyond the moment the crown is placed on one contestant’s head.
The friendships formed, the knowledge acquired and the women they encounter along the way can become part of their own stories of growth and achievement.
And as Ghana prepares to celebrate the next queen, the encounter with Mrs.Ampah offers a fitting reflection on the spirit of GMB@20; a celebration not only of beauty and culture, but also of resilience, ambition and the power of women to build legacies that inspire others.
By; Kwaku Duah Prempeh