Anita Akuffo opens up about uncomfortable moment hosting Miss Malaika

Renowned Ghanaian media personality Anita Akuffo has opened up about one of her most emotionally challenging experiences while hosting the Miss Malaika Ghana pageant, a show she once contested but didn’t win.

In a candid conversation on Raygan’s podcast on YouTube, posted on August 6, 2025, Anita revealed that while co-hosting the show now feels like a full-circle moment, the process can still be emotionally taxing, especially during moments of suspense when announcing finalists or the winner.

“I always say God had a reason,” she began. “From being a bit disappointed and all of that, to now coming back to co-host that same platform—that same show that put me out there.”

Anita reflected on her journey from contestant to co-host and how that shaped her perspective and sense of empathy toward current contestants.

“God probably wanted me to be in that space and in the shoes of the several ladies that I would later inspire or mentor… to be a host they could look at and say, ‘Anita didn’t win, but look at her now.’”

She recounted a tense moment from her own time as a contestant—barely making it into the finals.

“My year, I was the last person to be mentioned to join the ladies for the grand finale. I was this close to not making it,” she shared. “When my name was mentioned, I went on my knees—I was so shaken.”

Now, as a host, Anita says the suspenseful moments she’s required to deliver—often on cue from producers—bring back difficult emotions.

“Anytime I have to take the ladies through that grill and suspense, trust me, I don’t enjoy it because I know how it feels. Producers are in your ear saying, ‘No, no, no—not now,’ and you have to hold that moment. But it’s not a joke. There’s a lot going on in your head, and you’re being watched not just by the audience in the auditorium, but by millions at home.”

Despite the pressure, she emphasised her professionalism and the need to deliver.

“Sometimes I have to put my emotions aside and do the work. The job is the job. And so, I make it happen. And last last, it’ll be fine.”

Anita Akuffo’s vulnerability offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to host one of Ghana’s most prestigious pageants—and why empathy remains at the heart of her performance.