An independent agent is taking responsibility for selecting Antigua & Barbuda's representative to the prestigious 5th Miss Caribbean World 2010 held in the BVI last weekend.
Ryancia Henry, first runner-up in 2009 Carnival Queen competition, was selected.
Ekua Richards, a former director of culture, told Caribarena.com she was contacted by the private organisers of the show in Tortola asking her to select a delegate to represent the country.
Concerns have erupted because the contest was not publicised locally, but Richards said she was under no obligation to share the information. She added that she does not see the reason for the brouhaha, as she did not need to inform anyone, including the Carnival Development Committee (CDC).
“The CDC didn’t have to know. I didn’t have to tell anybody. I didn’t have to ask anyone’s permission. I am the agent and I select whom I want to go...” she explained.
“I have that right... I don’t have to make anything public... I don’t have to tell anybody but the candidate I selected and the persons in charge of the show [as to] who is coming. I reserved the right to select the candidate of choice and the candidate selected was Ryancia.”
The agent also said this was not Antigua’s first appearance at the show, and there was no fuss before.
“It’s a private organisation or agent who is here who deal with that show,” she said referring to herself, “and it's not Antigua’s first time being represented at the show. What happened last year? Nobody kicked up and Antigua placed last year."
When reached by Caribarena.com, the chairman of the CDC, Vaughn Walter, accused Caribarena.com of acting irresponsibly, and giving the impression that the CDC had sanctioned Henry's participation. He said he should have been contacted.
However, we were told that he was in the studio and unable to speak to anyone. When reached last evening, Walter confirmed this, and said he was in the studio preparing a production for a weekend event. He however wanted a retraction.
“I have passed the information on to the Attorney General’s office because I want to see a retraction in the article,” he said.
Meanwhile, Caribarena.com was unable to reach the pageant chairperson, Alesia Hamm.
See related stories:
Pageant Controversy Unresolved
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written by DJ, April 19, 2010
I do not understand how Ekua Richards is sending someone to represent Antigua & Barbuda and feels she is under no obligation to tell anyone. That makes very little sense to me.. But maybe me jus fooly
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written by Really, April 12, 2010
It take so much time out of you day to sit and write nagative things about an event that is pa*sed. People really that i swhat you are worried about when yo have children dying just like that and we can't get a damn answer as to why this is happening to our children and here you have people b***hing about a damn pageant..........really we need to get our priority straight and stop bad mothing one another because there will come a time when we bad mouth each other so badly that we ourselves will be oleft with nothing to do but to start badmouthing our own damn self
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written by fnpsr, April 02, 2010
According to Richards, she did not have to share the fact that she was contacted by the Organizers for a representative. While this may be true, it would have been good policy to publicize the matter. One thing Antigua government is lacking is transparency and this seems to be trickling down to the other organizations.
Based upon her statements, Richards has all the tenets of a dictator and should be removed from the committee. Richards in her own words, "The CDC didn’t have to know. I didn’t have to tell anybody. I didn’t have to ask anyone’s permission. I am the agent and I select whom I want to go...”
The CDC didn’t have to know. I didn’t have to tell anybody. I didn’t have to ask anyone’s permission. I am the agent and I select whom I want to go...”
“I have that right... I don’t have to make anything public... I don’t have to tell anybody but the candidate I selected and the persons in charge of the show [as to] who is coming. I reserved the right to select the candidate of choice and the candidate selected was Ryancia.”
Based upon her statements, Richards has all the tenets of a dictator and should be removed from the committee. Richards in her own words, "The CDC didn’t have to know. I didn’t have to tell anybody. I didn’t have to ask anyone’s permission. I am the agent and I select whom I want to go...”
The CDC didn’t have to know. I didn’t have to tell anybody. I didn’t have to ask anyone’s permission. I am the agent and I select whom I want to go...”
“I have that right... I don’t have to make anything public... I don’t have to tell anybody but the candidate I selected and the persons in charge of the show [as to] who is coming. I reserved the right to select the candidate of choice and the candidate selected was Ryancia.”
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written by Avid Reader, April 01, 2010
One of the problems with Antigua and shows such as these, they believe that the carnival queen should represent Antigua in every queen show. No she shouldn't, this girl had the rights and it is the way shows work outside of Antigua, if you have the rights for a counry, you can select anyone that you believe is suitable. I am sure the CDC, culture, the gov't did not pay for her participation, so what is the problem! she didn't win, is she the first not to win a competition?
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written by Scrutaneer, April 01, 2010
I hope when I go to register my new Antiguan "bank", this so-called Ekua is the head of the FSRC!
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written by shiloh, April 01, 2010
I NOW REALISE YOU HAVE TO BE FROM POTTERS TO QUALIFY FOR SELECTION. EKUA, RYANCIA AND THE PREVIOUS CONTESTANT ARE FROM POTTERS
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written by jump'n'wave, April 01, 2010
Antigua has a "director of Culture"???
At least we now know who to blame it on!
Really, I guess she should now use her power to declare "Monky T Li" as Antigua's National band!
At least we now know who to blame it on!
Really, I guess she should now use her power to declare "Monky T Li" as Antigua's National band!
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written by Dreadlocked ANU Citizen, March 31, 2010
@Jahma... Rastafarians can now legally visit this British Caribbean territory, following the removal of an executive order banning the religion’s adherents from entering, the government said Thursday.
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written by Future "Dreadlock" Candidate, March 31, 2010
Regardless of what Ms. Richards has seen in Ryancia she did not win the crown. Shelana should be in that competition and she worked for the crown and she would make Antigua proud. Now, being human i'm going to touch on some other issues. I am not my hair and neither is Shelana. We do not choose our parents nationality but once a person is born on this land they must be treated equally. In my opinion, YOU Ekua Richards is too puffed up with ur pride and authority and Ryancia is very much full of herself. Ryancia? Just incase you don't become the winner of the pageant remember this " a still tongue keepeth a wise head" so don't go aggravating me on the radio again. Shelana you're my star!
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written by Sue, March 31, 2010
I respect all the views aired - but why do we have to beat up on Ryancia? I think both Ms. George and Ms. Henry are two lovely intelligent ladies ! Miss Richards' judgement must and should be question - but don't turn this into a HATE game against the lovely Ms. Henry ! She is a Queen and a very sweet person ! HEADS UP RYANCIA
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written by Truth is , March 31, 2010
rYANCIA hENRY.. u ought to be ashamed o f yourself... don't play innocent.. u should have questioned why the queen was not asked... also remember how upset u were when u went on the radio station after queen show last year?????....... You wanted to play the role of queen forever.... u gyal u go ga pappy show we ka u na even place... if the REAL QUEEN WENT...SHE WOULDA AT LEAST GET SOMETHIN....U NA GET NUTTEN....... RYANCIA SHAME ME COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!
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written by Concern Antiguan, March 31, 2010
I am a good friend of Miss Richards, she trained be during Teenage Pageant, but i honestly think she is out of order. if you Representing Antigua and Barbuda overseas why you don't need to let any one know. Miss Richard I know you have your doctorate but you making an a*s out of yourself mom.
Please think about what you are saying and come clean with Antigua and Barbuda.......
Please think about what you are saying and come clean with Antigua and Barbuda.......
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written by Observing, March 31, 2010
1 person determines who should represent all of Antigua? Who is this lady? She needs to be fired!!!!!!!
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written by JahMa, March 31, 2010
Oh well, it is not now the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) whom needs to come clean and tell the populace of Antigua & Barbuda (A&B ) the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in regards to the controversy surrounding A&B represenstative to Miss Caribbean World 2010 pagent held in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Since Ms. Ekua Richards has undertaken the role of independent agent responsibile "for selecting Antigua & Barbuda's representative to the prestigious 5th Miss Caribbean World 2010", then perhaps Ms. Richards is the person who needs to come clean and tell de trurth and nothing but the whole truth, that her selection was partially based to the fact that Queen yes, or Queen not, Rastafarians are persona non grata in the BVI, and it was not only a matter of choice when comes to who she selected to represent A&B at the Miss Caribbean World 2010 pagent, it was also bowing to the stipulations of the government, pagent officials & organizers, and laws of the BVI. Hol' arn dey quote me on that last statement ....Never mind its all a*sumptions.
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written by RIDICULOUS, March 31, 2010
So...... because it was done in the past and wanst publicised makes it right?!?!?! is dat wat ms richards is tryin to tel people. My problem isnt Ryancia... my problem is the way they went about it. UNPROFESSIONAL, SNEAKY & VINDICTIVE.
HOW isn the world u want to send someone to represent a country and there is no formal go ahead form culture, cdc or whoever the powers are?!?!?! I want themt o know down to Ms trailor park queen in USA has to get permission before she go and represent USA anywhere
Whoever is the reigning queen, which in this case is Ms Shelana George ... should hav been the 1st preference, if she refused, then hav a mini selection process for the possibles and then go from there. But i cannot and will not support dat ludacris malarky about how she answers to no one. FRIEND & COMPANY ... wen wil it ever end
Ryancia is now receiving alot of negative publicity for their unprofessional ignorance
SHELANA 2 DA WERL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know she would hav cleaned up that competition if she was given the chance to represent
HOW isn the world u want to send someone to represent a country and there is no formal go ahead form culture, cdc or whoever the powers are?!?!?! I want themt o know down to Ms trailor park queen in USA has to get permission before she go and represent USA anywhere
Whoever is the reigning queen, which in this case is Ms Shelana George ... should hav been the 1st preference, if she refused, then hav a mini selection process for the possibles and then go from there. But i cannot and will not support dat ludacris malarky about how she answers to no one. FRIEND & COMPANY ... wen wil it ever end
Ryancia is now receiving alot of negative publicity for their unprofessional ignorance
SHELANA 2 DA WERL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know she would hav cleaned up that competition if she was given the chance to represent
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written by oh really, March 31, 2010
Ekua answers to no one? Is that a real pageant or a sweetie shop? And Ekua from Potters selects Ryancia from Potters. What a thing. If people are going to representing Antigua & Barbuda, even if it's in a rinky-dink show, there should be some official clearing house that records/sanctions the participation. Do we want to hear Antigua & Barbuda won the Ms Porn Contest? If a delegate is on their won steam, oh well; if they are taking flag and country along, then there must be some sort of protocol.
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written by hmm, March 31, 2010
the point is over the years it has been the same thing over and over they keep sending individuals to represent antigua when they have no business doing so, how many times you heard Antigua being represented in miss universe and no one knows the contestant? if they are ashamed or not to proud of the person selected to be queen then the QOC selection process needs to be revamped it is really backward of them to do it behind the people's back then, if they place in the competition, parade them around. They are representing Antigua when they enter the pageant not themselves and Antigua has a queen that is supposed to represent Antigua and if she cannot do so someone else should be selected ( first runner up, second runner up etc.). no matter how long its been happening like this it could never happen anywhere else in the world. btw who's jealous of who please clarify
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written by Fed up, March 31, 2010
jealousy is a b****..... u peopls say what u want but this is not the first time Antigua has NOT been repersented by a Queen so why start now?? This is story should've ended before it even began this has just turned into bringing people down...
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written by Confused, March 31, 2010
When someone is going to a regional event on behalf of Antigua, how can you not answer to anyone??? Shouldn't this be approved by some authority? suppose this woman had no sense and sent some girl that brought shame to our country with a distasteful performance? And as a former head of culture i would except that she would have the courtesy to ask the queen! If someone is representing me i want the best, obviously since Ryancia lost she is not, so why not send the person with the best chance .... friend and company is all i have to say!
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written by Y, March 31, 2010
Ms Richards is right this is not the first time that Antigua is being represented at this Pageant. Two years ago the island was also represented by Delavaniece Williams a former carnival contestant who entered in 2008 and chaperoned by Ms. Richards. That Year Tasheka Lavann was crowned Ms Antigua but did not represent Antigua either on the other hand Ms. Williams never placed in the local pageant.
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written by my my my my, March 31, 2010
She answers to no one? ............... u send someone into to REPRESENT Antigua, that you chose ............. and therefore you answer to no one ............... until this year I have never heard of this pageant in my life 
............. are these the sort of b**ldog people that we have in places of power ................... and by the way isnt Ryancia her niece or cousin or something ............. I am just saying ............ favoritism raises its head again ......... when sending someone to represent out country ...... we should always send away THE BEST ....... sorry to say Ryancia is not the best at this time ............ in addition why was Antigua's participation in this pageant not publicised? .................. does Miss Richards not want the support from the country? .......... or maybe it is just the usual hidey hidey thing that only seeks to push her own advancement and those of her family members .................. when will we get past these things in our country ............ by the way how is it not CDC business what she does, if it is the CDC pageant picture from last year that was up on the website?
............. are these the sort of b**ldog people that we have in places of power ................... and by the way isnt Ryancia her niece or cousin or something ............. I am just saying ............ favoritism raises its head again ......... when sending someone to represent out country ...... we should always send away THE BEST ....... sorry to say Ryancia is not the best at this time ............ in addition why was Antigua's participation in this pageant not publicised? .................. does Miss Richards not want the support from the country? .......... or maybe it is just the usual hidey hidey thing that only seeks to push her own advancement and those of her family members .................. when will we get past these things in our country ............ by the way how is it not CDC business what she does, if it is the CDC pageant picture from last year that was up on the website?
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written by ???, March 31, 2010
arrogance to the highest level. This is one of Antigua's biggest problem it's at all levels of the society. WE HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED THE ROOT CAUSE OF MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS. Hear this ------ Concerns have erupted because the contest was not publicised locally, but Richards said------she was under no obligation to share the information. This New Paper must be mistaken. She could not have said this or COULD SHE HAVE?
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