Two of the most popular contestants in Ghana's Most Beautiful 2026 have spoken out after the pageant's grand finale, thanking their supporters and promising that their journeys are far from over.
Sessinam of the Volta Region, who finished as first runner-up, and Lamiley of the Greater Accra Region both shared messages on social media after Bono Region's Nana Konadu won the 20th-anniversary crown at the National Theatre in Accra on Sunday, October 18, according to a report by YEN.com.gh.
Sessinam, who took home GH¢100,000 as first runner-up, addressed supporters in a video shared on Instagram. She said the experience had brought her "growth, beautiful memories, cultural pride, and lessons that will stay with me for a lifetime," YEN.com.gh reports.
"I may have come second in the competition, but the love, support, and experiences have made this journey truly priceless," she said. She ended her message by saying the journey was "only the beginning."
Sessinam had strong backing throughout the competition, including a pledge of GH¢10,000 towards her campaign from the Volta Regional Minister. Had she won, she would have given the Volta Region back-to-back crowns, following Isabella Etornam Gagblezu's victory in 2025.
Lamiley, who collected the most weekly awards during the season, posted a video on Monday, October 19, with the caption "Naa Lamiley is grateful". She thanked her supporters, whom she calls "Team Lamified", and said: "Finally, the battle has ended."
She said she was proud to have represented the Greater Accra Region and asked her followers to "keep supporting me," according to YEN.com.gh.
Lamiley's final placing has been reported differently across outlets. 3News listed her prize as GH¢20,000, which corresponds to the fifth-placed finalist in the published prize list.
Supporters flooded the contestants' posts with encouragement. YEN.com.gh reports that one fan told Sessinam that the platform had showcased her talent and that bigger opportunities lay ahead. Another suggested that future editions introduce special honours such as a "Best Performer of the Season" award, naming Sessinam as a strong candidate.
According to 3News and YEN.com.gh, Nana Konadu won an MG ZS Deluxe Edition car and GH¢200,000, becoming the first winner from the Bono Region. Sessinam took GH¢100,000, followed by Ampomaa of the Ashanti Region, Ayinboma of the Upper East Region, Lamiley and Tiwaa of the Western North Region, who all received cash prizes and sponsors' souvenirs.
For many Ghana's Most Beautiful contestants, the end of the competition marks the start of new opportunities. Past finalists, not just winners, have gone on to careers in broadcasting, modelling, acting, advocacy and business, using the profile they built on television to launch new ventures.
The weekly themed nights also give contestants experience in public speaking, performance and cultural knowledge, skills that many say serve them long after the show ends.
The new queen, Nana Konadu, is a 20-year-old Communication and Media Studies student at the University of Professional Studies, Accra. Her advocacy project, Rising Phoenix, aims to support single mothers and their children through skills training, vocational programmes and mentorship. As she begins her reign, attention will also turn to how she and the other finalists use their new profiles in the months ahead.
This year's edition was one of the most closely watched in the show's history, with strong regional campaigns and heated debate among fans online. The fact that the season's most decorated contestant, Lamiley, did not win the crown showed how much the final result depends on judges' scores and public votes on the night.
Fans of both runners-up will be watching to see what projects they take on next, as they build on the platform the 20th-anniversary edition has given them.
