Milton Keynes woman makes it through to semi finals of Miss England 2020

The 25-year-old has also released her first poetry book
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A freelance journalist and part time sales assistant from Milton Keynes has made it through to the semi finals for Miss England 2020.

Akosua Darko, who was bullied as a child, entered the national beauty competition because she wanted to use her experience to help others.

The semi final is on July 31, and Akosua is asking people to vote for her to go through to the finals.

Akosua Darko has made it through to the semi finalsAkosua Darko has made it through to the semi finals
Akosua Darko has made it through to the semi finals

The 25-year-old said: "You can book a ticket for the semi final live stream, which is on July 31. People can book a ticket up until the July 31 to vote, and each viewer gets one vote.

"Please vote for me I'm number 30, www.missengland.info/qualifiers/semi-final/#tab-livestream. Tickets are 7.99.

"Also please watch my introduction video to find out my purpose for entering the contest and also see my poetry video showcasing my talent. The amount of views count as votes, so please watch and share."

Akosua will be doing weekly challenges to raise money for Beauty With A Purpose, which raises money for good causes. To make a donation click here.

Akosua has recentlyreleased her first poetry book, The Black Honeybee.Akosua has recentlyreleased her first poetry book, The Black Honeybee.
Akosua has recentlyreleased her first poetry book, The Black Honeybee.

She will also be making her own outfit for the Miss Eco round in her bid to become Miss Eco 2020. To make a donation to Akosua's Miss Eco fundraiser visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/akosuas-miss-eco-fundraiser.

As well as taking part in Miss England 2020, Akosua has recently released her first poetry book, The Black Honeybee.

She said: "I have always wanted to write a poetry book. I started writing poetry when I was 13 and going through a difficult time.

"It was a way for me to write down how I was feeling and create the world in a new light.

"I have always had a passion for poetry, I think it gives me a way to say what's on my mind and what's going on in the world.

"For me, writing poetry is an escape and a way that my voice can be heard and I really enjoy it."

Akosua sent her poetry book to Adjei Agyei-Baah, editor of Mamba Journal, and he emailed a review back to her.

Adjei said: "Black Honeybee, by Akosua Darko assembles poems of diverse themes such as homesickness, friendship, racism, war, religion and love.

"Black Honeybee draws its strength from the poet’s local and foreign experiences which widen her horizon to record her thoughts with éclat and sincerity.

"Akosua’s Black Honeybee is inviting, but with stings, which readers would have to endure as hard truths of life.

"Akosua’s poems are laced with raw honesty and a yearning to make things right; punchy enough to make readers question the very essence of life and therein lies the beauty of Akosua’s poems. And that, I find humbling.

"The Ghana female poetry landscape has been dormant after days of Aidoo and Sutherland, and Akosua’s collection comes to fill the void and rekindle the flame for others."

For a copy of Akosua's poetry book visit: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089L8GLRL.