In a deeply unfortunate development for the Miss Cosmos 2025 pageant, the Miss Cosmo Ghana Organization has officially announced the withdrawal of their national representative, Lycia Farrel Mengue Nkouma. The decision, confirmed on November 19th, 2025, comes just days ahead of the international competition scheduled to take place from November 28th to December 22nd. The withdrawal marks a significant moment, both for the pageant community and for Ghana, which will now be unrepresented at this year’s prestigious event.
According to the statement issued by the national director of Miss Cosmo Ghana, the decision was reached after a thorough internal review of troubling developments that have unfolded over recent weeks. Lycia, who was crowned Miss Cosmo Ghana 2025, has reportedly been subjected to a sustained campaign of online harassment. These attacks, largely driven by Ghanaian bloggers and anonymous social media accounts, aimed to discredit her image and question her suitability to represent the nation on an international platform. The organization notes that although the attacks were entirely baseless, the intensity and frequency of the hostility created a psychologically unsafe and emotionally destabilizing environment for Lycia.
More critically, the statement reveals that Lycia has also been the target of direct threats to her personal safety. The threats, which have been sent to her personal phone, reportedly escalated to a level deemed deeply alarming by the organization. Sources within Miss Cosmo Ghana confirm that the threats had significant implications on Lycia’s emotional wellbeing, making her feel unsafe in both domestic and educational spaces. As the safeguarding of contestants remains a priority for Miss Cosmo Ghana, the leadership concluded that it would be unethical and dangerous to allow her to proceed under such hostile conditions.
Despite these challenges, the organization praised Lycia’s grace, maturity, and strength throughout the ordeal. Her commitment to the competition and her sincere efforts to prepare for representing Ghana on the Miss Cosmos stage were recognized as exemplary. However, the decision to withdraw was made purely in the interest of protecting her mental health and overall safety. The organization emphasized that this move should not be interpreted as a reflection of her abilities or her dedication to her duties as a national representative.
The Miss Cosmo Ghana Organization extended its gratitude to the international Miss Cosmos body for their support and understanding during this difficult time. This incident sheds light on the darker realities of public life in pageantry, where contestants can often become targets of vitriol, particularly when their rise disrupts preconceived narratives or biases. In recent years, many pageant organizations have had to develop robust protocols around digital safety and mental health as online trolling continues to escalate.
Ghana’s withdrawal comes at a time when several other countries are also grappling with controversies surrounding national pageant leadership, contestant treatment, and political interference, pointing to a growing need for institutional reform in the global beauty industry.
The absence of Ghana from Miss Cosmos 2025 will be felt not only in the African delegation but across the broader pageant landscape. As the competition proceeds in Vietnam, Lycia’s story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges many young women face in the spotlight — and the importance of organizations standing firmly behind their delegates when their wellbeing is threatened.
