CEO of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week GIDEON RAJI uses models for personal gain

They say all that glitters is not gold, we see lovely photos of models on the runway but never know the sacrifices and mess they go through..

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They say all that glitters is not gold, we see lovely photos of models on the runway but never know the pains they pass through and face.

As stated by blogger Princess, "Last year i personally witnessed how models were treated at the Mercedes-Benz African fashion festival (Mbaff) held in Accra Ghana and it was so bad that I had to meet the C.E.O Gideon Raji and notify him that the media will be aware of what is happening, he pleaded badly saying that no one should know about this and he will fix everything up.

This year i was very disappointed that the same thing was repeated after all the crazy drama last year i was expecting a  better improvement.
According to the models they acknowledged the casting in which they were selected, weeks later they were called for a second casting which they said wasnt necessary as the management took their personal details that they already have.

The show was shifted from May to July with unconfirmed reasons. A month to the show all selected models were contacted to start rehearsals in preparation for the big event in July. On the first day of rehearsal a meeting was held with the representative from the management, the models bodly asked of their pay and welfare. The representative stated that they would sign a contract which would be ready the next time they meet. Sadly this models put in their time and wasted money for their transport fare with some coming from very far places for rehearsals and meanwhile they kept been posted about the signing of the contract.                      

gideon raji

Few days to the show the so-called management came up with the contract which was read out to the hearing of the models, this was done after some designers have finished with their fittings. The management stated that they wont be able to pay but transport and feeding will be taking care of cause some of the sponsors haven't replied yet and there was no other option, this caused a serious arguement with models because they have been paying transport from very far places to come for rehearsals and more.

The brand ambassador for this year edition Victoria Michaels came into the argument pleading that they should walk to make sure the show comes up and stated that some of the sponsors promised verbally and ended up not fulfilling their promises. 

Now to you Victoria Michaels

1. As a brand ambassador that you are, it is very poorly of you to say that the sponsors did not respond well and it is your responsibility as a brand ambassador to see that the models are equally treated right and to also make sure the organisers shouldnt use the models or take them for granted.

2. Information has been going round that you conspired with the organisers of the show to share the money been given by the sponsors amongst yourselves.

3. This case is similar to an incident that took place in Fashion icon Awards Ghana, the appointed brand ambassador last year complained bitterly about the management and you were an ambassador in 2014..... In conclusion what role are you playing to these models???

victoria micheals

The sad thing here is these models asked from the very beginning and some of them have walked for them for three years without being paid. It is also disappointing that even the appointed brand ambassador Victoria who is a model like them couldn't defend them. One of the models asked if as being the brand ambassador if she was paid but she said she cant disclose it, majority of the models were disappointed and left.

With the help of the Models Union Ghana which was established this year that intervened they later agreed on paying 50 Ghana cedis, two regular tickets worth 200 Ghana cedis which they have to sell two days to the show and they would be giving dead souvenirs which raj claims is more than the pay. 

The models requested for 200 cedis or no walk which they stated is even small but they are been considerate due to the fact some of their sponsors didnt respond.
A source told me that Raj brought in foreign models and as soon as they came in food, water and others were provided but this they did not get after coming for rehearsal for a month. He claims that the foreign models took care of their transport to come into the country. It was also added that they are currently replacing models with the ones that were not picked during the organised casting. 

They have already launched the show yesterday 1st July 2016 at silver star towers Accra and a long list of sponsors were mentioned with Mercedes-Benz. Raj claims that he is only using Mercedes-Benz name which he was permitted to use but they are not sponsoring.
I have no negative intention but i want the right thing to be done, this is not a framed up story because last year i witnessed the drama and also i got lots of complaint with backed up evidence. Whoever knows Gideon Raji should make sure he is arrested and sued and also that show shouldn’t take place anymore if models wont be paid.

Please the right persons should come and look into this matter, Thanks and Godbless.