Faith Maria Porter Places 3rd Runner-Up at Miss Grand International 2025
Ghanaian beauty ambassador Faith Maria Porter has achieved a landmark result at the Miss Grand International 2025 pageant by claiming the third runner-up position, bringing historic pride to her country. Porter’s success marks a dramatic breakthrough for Ghana at this global competition and shines a spotlight on the nation’s growing presence on the pageant stage.
Following her crowning as Miss Grand Ghana 2025 in August, the Greater Accra-born model and advocate journeyed to Thailand to represent Ghana amid contestants from some 70 nations. At the grand final event in October, Porter impressed the judges with her poise, confidence and message of peace. As finals concluded, she was named third runner-up—the highest ever placement for a Ghanaian participant at Miss Grand International. The overall winner was Emma Tiglao of the Philippines, with Thailand’s Sarunrat Puagpipat as first runner-up and Spain’s Aitana Jiménez as second runner-up.
For Ghana the result arrives as a defining moment in pageantry. In previous years the country’s representatives often left the competition unplaced, making Porter’s top-five finish a turning point. The achievement not only celebrates her individual talents but elevates Ghana’s international brand in beauty and cultural diplomacy. At the national pageant Porter had stood out for her oratorical skills, advocacy for youth empowerment and a strong walk that carried the confidence of a seasoned competitor. In Thailand she carried those qualities into the national costume round, evening gown segment and final question, earning her high marks and public acclaim.
Porter’s journey has resonated with pageant fans and young Ghanaians alike. Growing up in Accra she combined tertiary education in media studies with community-based projects that promoted self-esteem among young women in underserved areas. Her platform centered on “Peace Begins With Me,” a campaign she launched to engage youth in dialogue and creativity. Her international finish reinforces that message on a global stage and underscores Ghana’s evolving pageant infrastructure.
Pageant experts say the significance of the result extends beyond the crown. Her third-runner-up finish suggests Ghana has matured in selecting candidates with training in public speaking, social impact and global competitiveness. It also sends a message to sponsors, media houses and the Ghanaian outfit industry that investment in preparation and branding can yield powerful results. In her acceptance remarks Porter thanked the Ghanaian people and organisers of Miss Grand Ghana while promising to build on the momentum of her achievement. She invited young women across Ghana to see pageantry not just as glamour but as a platform for leadership and influence.
The international recognition also opens broader opportunities for Ghana. With the country playing hosting roles in AfCFTA diplomacy and cultural exchange, Porter’s placement adds soft-power value—adding to Ghana’s global image beyond football and music. Local fashion designers and stylists who supported her international wardrobe are already seeing interest from regional markets and pageant franchises. Her success is helping to build a Ghana-branded pageant ecosystem around preparation, mentorship and representation.
For future contestants the benchmark is already set. The Miss Grand Ghana organisation is expected to build on this achievement by increasing training focus on media readiness, international touring and personal branding. Organisers said they will engage international mentors and expand workshops in public speaking and global etiquette ahead of the next cycle. Young women considering national pageants are likely to draw inspiration from Porter’s journey—her academic background, community engagement and international achievement demonstrate that pageantry can intersect meaningfully with service, education and representation.
Representatives from the Ghana Tourism Authority and Ministry of Culture congratulated Porter and pledged support for her next steps. They view her placement as aligning with Ghana’s national agenda to promote tourism, youth leadership and women’s empowerment. Ghana’s ambassador to Thailand and other diplomatic officials also attended the final event and offered post-competition follow-up support for Porter’s advocacy projects.
The host country Thailand and Miss Grand International organisers highlighted Porter’s performance in the media, noting her compelling runway presence, articulate answers and strong national representation. Her photos have already trended across social media in Ghana, where hashtags such as #FaithMariaPorter and #ProudlyGhana have trended as fans, pageant alumni and fashion lovers shared congratulations. Many local commentators have described the result as symbolic of “Ghana’s beauty industry coming of age.”
While Porter did not capture the international crown, her podium finish is already being counted as a victory and a milestone for Ghana. It offers young Ghanaian women a tangible example of global achievement and adds to the narrative of women leading in diverse fields—beyond business, sports or arts. The next challenge now is to translate this moment into sustained growth in pageantry, modelling agencies, mentorship networks and international representation.
https://missgrandinternational.com/miss/faith-maria-porter/
