Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna, who won the Miss World pageant in 1993, has declined an invitation to be a judge in the 2015 Miss World Competition.
Hanna, who was scheduled to be one of the judges for the competition on December 19 said following an incident involving the Child Development Agency (CDA), for which she has responsibility, “I would not feel comfortable leaving at this time”.
Hanna was making reference to the manner in which 34 wards of the state were removed from the Sunshine Child Care Facility in a manner that breached the rights of the children.
“Subsequently, there are certain actions that I have taken and others that I am taking to remedy the situation which needs my oversight on the issue concerning the nation’s children,” Hanna said.
Hanna who has remained close to the Miss World Organization and Julia Morley over the past 22 years spoke with Julia Morley to convey the information on the weekend.
The former Miss World said Morley was disappointed but understood her stance and encouraged her.
“I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity that I had of being Miss World to represent Jamaica and the world in 1993. I send my best wishes to the reigning Miss Jamaica World 2015 Dr. Sanneta Myrie and all the contestants at the pageant.”
Lisa Hanna, 40, won the Miss World pageant in 1993. She is currently a two term Member of Parliament.
