Gender Advocate | Fashion Model | Fashion Strategist | GMB Beauty Queen | Philanthropist
I, Tung Teiya Dahamani, was born on November 18, in the Northern region of Ghana, specifically in the town of Tamale. As of 2023, I am 26 years old. I spent my early life and education in the Northern region and went to Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School in the Central region for my secondary education. After that, I pursued a bachelor's degree from the University of Development Studies in Wa, located in the Upper West region of Ghana.
In 2022, I represented the Northern region as a voice and representative in the Ghana's Most Beautiful Pageantry, where I emerged as the winner with 32.5% of the votes. I am quite active on Instagram, and my handle is @queenteiya_gmb22. My passion is to teach young girls in the Northern region vocational skills, dissuading them from migrating to urban cities to become head porters
Before winning the Ghana's Most Beautiful Pageantry, I was crowned the winner of the Queen of the North pageant in 2021, where I competed against other contestants from various regions of Ghana. I also represented Ghana at the International level of Miss Intercontinental in 2019, showcasing the right Ghanaian culture and tradition through my choice of fashion wardrobe and mannerisms. Aside from being a beauty queen, I am a fashion model, a strong woman, and a gender activist/advocate. In 2020, I competed in Miss Ghana, and I aspire to make a difference in the lives of young girls and women in Ghana by empowering them through education and skills acquisition.
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced initially, and how did you overcome them?
As a young woman pursuing a career in modeling and beauty pageantry, I faced several challenges, including stereotypes and societal expectations. Many people in my community saw modeling and beauty pageantry as frivolous and not a respectable career choice for a young woman.
However, I overcame these challenges by staying true to myself and my goals. I focused on developing my skills, building my portfolio, and participating in as many competitions and events as possible to gain experience and exposure. I also worked hard to change the perception of modeling and beauty pageantry in my community by using my platform to advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. Through my work, I hope to inspire other young women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.
What advice would you offer to young people who are just starting their careers or pursuing their passions, both locally and internationally?
1. As someone who has pursued my own passions and achieved success in my career, my advice to young people would be to never give up on your dreams and to always keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey may be. It's important to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and to set goals along the way to help you get there.
2. In pursuing your passions, don't be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone. Embrace opportunities to learn and grow, even if they may seem daunting at first. Seek out mentors and role models who can offer guidance and support, and surround yourself with positive and supportive people who believe in your abilities.
3. Remember to stay focused and disciplined, and to be patient with yourself. Success rarely happens overnight, so stay committed to your goals and work hard every day towards achieving them. And most importantly, never forget to stay true to yourself and your values, and always strive to make a positive impact on the world around you.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenteiya_gmb22/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tung-teiya-dahamani-900a14176/?originalSubdomain=gh