Côte d’Ivoire honors new beauty queen and mayor with national awards

Sonia Nadège N’Guessan, representing the Moronou region, was crowned Reine Awoulaba d’Afrique – Côte d’Ivoire 2026 at the Palais de la Culture Bernard Binlin Dadié in Treichville, scoring 188 points out of 220. She received a prize of one million FCFA from First Lady Dominique Ouattara, along with additional gifts, while the runners‑up each earned 500,000 FCFA.

Hadja Aïssata Ouattara, mayor of Gbéléban, was awarded the National Excellence Prize for the best local elected official on 3 August 2026. The award, presented by First Lady Dominique Ouattara in the presence of President Alassane Ouattara, recognized her governance achievements, including allocating 84.86 % of the 2025 municipal budget to development projects, expanding water and electricity networks, building a municipal maternity hospital, and improving public spaces.

Both ceremonies highlighted the role of cultural and civic recognition in promoting development, social cohesion, and leadership within Côte d’Ivoire.