Call her a survivor or a goal getter, and you will not be wrong. Isabella Etornam Gagblezu, the Volta Region’s representative in this year’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful Pageant, is a stunning beauty with a heart of grit, gumption, and perseverance.

At 14, she stepped into the gates of Madina Cluster of Schools, defying conventional timelines. While her peers were gearing up for their Basic Examination Certificate Examination (BECE), she was just beginning her educational journey, proving that it’s indeed better to start late than never.

Born in Yeji, Etornam’s early life was marked by adversity. Growing up in a broken home, she faced unimaginable challenges, including abuse, stigmatisation, and the harsh realities of street life, where she had to resort to hawking and working as a “tro-tro mate” to survive.

But fueled by her unyielding resilience and determination to succeed, Etornam worked tirelessly to excel academically, earning a spot at Adidome Senior High School. Her educational journey continued at the Oxford Institute of Business and Journalism in Kumasi, where she further honed her skills.

The GMB journey, she says, has been one of growth, experiences, and lessons. And she is determined to make a positive impact and inspire others with her story.