Miss University of Ghana 2025 winner, Mariam Jasmine Saaka, has accused members of the outgoing University of Ghana SRC administration of intimidation, coercion, and mishandling her complaints after she reported that the car awarded to her as a prize was faulty and unsafe.
In an interview on Hitz FM with Dr. Shine on Wednesday November 26, the student journalist claimed the brand-new car she received after winning the pageant “was already faulty” and endangered her life shortly after she began using it.
According to her, the vehicle suddenly malfunctioned, prompting her to immediately notify the Women’s Commissioner, Annette Opoku, and later the SRC President, Maradona “Guru” Yeboah Adjei, and his assistant, Isaac.
“I told them the car had an issue and it almost cost me my life. I have proof,” she stated.
Jasmine alleged that the day after she reported the problem, the Women’s Commissioner contacted her under the pretext of a short, informal meeting with pageant organizers at KwaPong Hall. However, when she arrived, she found herself in a room with the SRC President and his assistant.
“When I entered the room, they took my phone. Guru’s assistant seized it under his command,” she claimed.
She said the meeting took place in a room that previously served as the hall’s sick bay and was at the time under construction. She described the encounter as unexpected and intimidating.
During the meeting, Jasmine said Guru questioned why she had parked the car at the SLC building instead of using it.
“He told me even if it’s a broken car, if someone gives you a gift, you don’t return it,” she recounted.
Jasmine disagreed with the characterisation of the car as a gift, insisting she earned it through a competitive process.
“I told him it’s not a gift. I entered a competition. People voted with their money,” she said.
She added that she was informed the advertised cash prize would not be given to her because the car “replaced it.”
The situation intensified when the discussion turned to accountability.
According to Jasmine, Guru argued that she could not hold him responsible for the faulty car because his administration had left office, adding that the SRC building and offices were empty.
She also claimed he told her she could not engage legal counsel.
“He told me I have no right to a lawyer because he is the president and I’m a student,” she said.
When she requested permission to seek guidance from her guardians, she said he declined.
Jasmine alleged that a car dealer was brought into the meeting and insisted the vehicle was in good condition. She said the group later agreed that the discussion should not be made public.
“They said I should pretend the meeting didn’t happen and pretend I wasn’t intimidated,” she claimed.
Following the meeting, Jasmine said she noticed that all posts from the official Miss University of Ghana social media pages had been deleted and she had been blocked from accessing the accounts.
She alleged that other pageant winners were instructed to avoid communicating with her.
“They told the other winners to lie that my phone was spoilt so they couldn’t reach me,” she said.
After weeks of being ignored, she reported the matter to the Dean. She said she decided to go public only after Guru allegedly went on Facebook denying her claims.
“I have proof that they told me to park the car because it was a safety hazard,” she added.
The individuals mentioned in the allegations are yet to officially respond.
BACKGROUND
The Miss University of Ghana pageant held its maiden edition this year with 15 contestants competing in segments including fashion, talent, social issues presentation, and a Q&A session.
Mariam Jasmine Saaka, a student journalist with Radio Univers, excelled throughout the competition, winning Most Creative Outfit, Best Talent, and Most Eloquent, before being crowned the 2025 queen.
As the overall winner, she received a brand-new car and a fully paid trip to Dubai.
