Miss Hiba, known in showbiz as Queen Hiba, the 1st Runner-up and the Northern Region’s representative of TV3 Ghana Most Beautiful (GMB) 2016 launched her smock project, Smile with Hiba Foundation, at the forecourt of the Northern Regional Library in Tamale.
The launch was graced by the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts who is also the Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Ziblim Baare; former DCE of Central Gonja District Assembly, Mumuni Shiraz Ibn Yacin; 1st Vice Chairperson of the Tamale branch of the Gonjaland Youth Association, Madam Mrs Felicia Akraja, and members of the association among other dignitaries.
Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed said the launch of the smock project was timely, coming at a time government was taking steps to promote made-in-Ghana clothes in the country.
He called for a broader consultation of stakeholders in the three northern regions to come together through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to make wearing of the local clothes mandatory in the second cycle institutions during weekends.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ziblim Baare hinted of the establishment of a Smock Village in Daboya in North Gonja following that of Gushegu.
He called on all, especially people of northern descent to support Queen Hiba to achieve her dream of making the smock an international wear. He lauded the organizers for settling on Queen Hiba as the 2017 Damba Ambassador for the 3 northern regions.
Mr. Ziblim Baare also revealed that plans were far advanced by his ministry to take footages of both former Presidents Nkrumah and Rawlings for the wear smock campaign.
He said the Ministry of Tourism will work closely with Hiba and give her the needed support to ensure that her project succeed.
On her part, Queen Hiba called on all to support Miss Zeinab, the 2017 Northern regional representative of TV3 GMB Show by texting Zeinab to 1413 to keep her in the competition. Miss Hiba also called on all to be united and peaceful, and advocated for increased patronage of smock during festivals in the north.
President of the Gonjaland Youth Association and ministers at the function donated cash to support Miss Hiba’s foundation.
Miss Akos the 2nd runner up GMB show 2016 was present to support her colleague launch her project – Smile with Hiba Foundation.
By Napadow Ibrahim | Tamale