Propagating Purpose And Hope, The Story Of Beauty Queen Akysanna Da Veiga

Seated in conversation with Lerny Lomotey on Unpackin’, Akysanna Da Veiga, the reigning Miss Cabo Verde International and Miss International Africa took viewers and listeners of the Culture Daily morning show on an inspiring pageantry journey of resilience, self-belief and the power of beauty with purpose.

Born and raised in Cape Verde (Cabo Verde), Akysanna’s fascination with pageantry began at just eight years old after watching models on television. At that time, beauty pageants were not widely embraced in Cape Verdean culture, but that did not deter her.

She says, “When I was 24, I decided to compete in Miss Cabo Verde International…I didn’t win the first time but I went back the next year, believing that if I didn’t make it once, it didn’t mean I couldn’t make it. Resilience is the key.” 

Akysanna smiling gleefully 

Her persistence paid off. She returned, competed again and won, a triumph that opened the door to representing her country on the international stage. Her victory also paved the way for her to be crowned Miss International Africa, one of the continent’s most prestigious beauty titles.

During the conversation, Lerny and Akysanna bonded over her love for languages. She speaks six languages fluently - Portuguese, English and Creole, a skill that supports her work as a journalist, singer, model and philanthropist.

“I believe communication is the bridge between people,” she explained. “As a journalist and a pageant queen, I want to connect with everyone, no matter where I go.”

Her versatility and passion for self-development continue to define her approach to every project she takes on from media work to humanitarian service.

Miss Cabo Verde International

For Akysanna, winning Miss Cabo Verde International was more than a personal achievement. It was a call to action. “Being a beauty queen isn’t just about walking in heels or smiling for cameras,” she said. “It’s about what you can do to make your world better.”

Her reign inspires her to champion the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education (Goal 4) and No Poverty (Goal 1).

Akysanna’s journey has taken her far beyond her island home. After representing Africa at the Miss International pageant in Japan, she placed among the top 10 finalists out of 91 countries and earned the title Miss International Africa.

She has since traveled to Angola, Senegal, Japan and now Ghana, using her platform to uplift others. In Angola, she supported Girls First, a project focused on reducing child marriage and teenage pregnancy. In Senegal, she organized a charity dinner for SOS Village and in Ghana, she’s working with Little Crowns to promote breast cancer awareness and visit children in need.

Her arrival in Ghana was met with joy and hospitality. “It was the first time I felt such warmth and genuine welcome in a country,” she said. “Everyone was smiling and happy. I could feel the love.”

She plans to visit the Cape Verdean Consulate, meet government officials, and connect with Ghanaian beauty queens to explore opportunities for African collaboration.

Through her courage, compassion and conviction, Akysanna Da Veiga reminds us that beauty with purpose can truly transform lives and transcend crowns and sashes.

WATCH FULL INTERVIEW HERE:

https://youtu.be/f-PpO_mtJY4