A Gabonese model and student of Lucas University in Accra, Axel Yann Nkongou Pambhou was recently crowned Mr Model Africa 2019 at a colorful finale at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra.
Axel beat a field of 12 other contestants to win the title. Model and up and coming musician from Nigeria Excel Emmanuel, was first runner-up while Ishmael Quaye, a model and graduate of the University of Ghana was second runner up.
The show opened with an African beachwear segment followed by the showcasing of various menswear creations from Greg Jones The Fashion Chef, Al BellKay (winner of Ghana Menswear Week’s Style Man Project) and Kojo Boadi Ghana.
The ‘Avant Garde’ segment offered the 13 finalists the opportunity to create their own ‘crazy’ or unusual fashion looks after which the number was slashed to seven.
The top seven; Cyril Darko, Ishmael Quaye, Excel Emmanuel, Axel Pambhou, John Obiaghara, Richmond and Samuel Addae Boateng were tasked to sell products from Voltic Ghana in 30 seconds and also convince the judges why they should be selected as the new face to represent male models in Africa.
The Judges 40 per cent votes and a pre-judging score of 60 per cent combined put Axel as the ultimate winner.
There were special prizes for Mr. Personality (Frank M Dafliso), Mr. Photogenic (Richmond), Best Body (Excel Emmanuel), Mr Popularity (Cyril Darko), Best Runway Walk (Yves Anumu) and Best Avant Garde (Ishmael Quaye).
For his prize Axel will receive an Accra-South-Africa Accra return ticket or represent Ghana at the Mr Africa International competition in Lagos next year. He will also advocate for Autism awareness in Ghana through the Autism Awareness, Care and Training Centre in Accra.
Mr Model Africa is the only male modelling competition currently running in Ghana and is a production of Fame Model Management which seeks to create a platform for male models in Africa while discovering new faces for the modelling industries in Africa and beyond.