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The 7th National Spelling Bee Competition was held on Friday, 16 May 2026, at the Orange Digital Center in Freetown, bringing together 16 finalists from across Sierra Leone to compete in primary, junior, and senior categories.
Held under the theme “Each Letter, an Impact,” the event showcased the spelling and English language proficiency of young participants in a highly competitive academic atmosphere. The competition was organized by the Spelling Bee Foundation Sierra Leone, an organization committed to promoting literacy, proper English usage, and talent development among children and young people.
The foundation stated that the initiative is designed to strengthen a culture of spelling and literacy nationwide, while also preparing participants to represent Sierra Leone in international spelling bee competitions. Organizers emphasized that the program aims to nurture academically gifted children, build their confidence, and equip them with essential communication skills.
On behalf of one of the main sponsors, Rokel Commercial Bank, the Marketing Manager, Mrs. Michaela Dora Macauley, delivered greetings from the bank’s management and Executive Director, Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, at the event. She expressed appreciation for being part of the 7th edition of the competition and reaffirmed the bank’s continued support for education and youth empowerment.
Mrs. Macauley noted that Rokel Commercial Bank upholds values of trust, excellence, and education, adding that initiatives such as the spelling bee play a vital role in shaping the future of young people in Sierra Leone. She encouraged the finalists to remain dedicated to learning and to continue striving for academic excellence.
The Director of Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, Mrs. Annie Wonnie Katta, also addressed the gathering, describing the spelling bee initiative as highly commendable and impactful in transforming the lives of children across the country.
She revealed that since the competition began in 2019, a total of 196 participants have taken part, collectively learning more than 205,800 words. She further disclosed that 63 winners have emerged over the years, securing first to third positions.
Mrs. Katta added that many former contestants are now excelling in various professional fields, while others have graduated from universities. She emphasized that the impact of the competition goes beyond the event itself, as participants continue to apply the knowledge, confidence, and communication skills gained in their academic and professional journeys.
At the end of the competition, winners were announced as follows:
Primary Category
1st Position – Haja Marie Turay
2nd Position – Claudina Bell
3rd Position – Mohamed Lamin Sillah
Junior Category
1st Position – Elianna Faith Elizabeth Kobba
2nd Position – Arun Dumbuya
3rd Position – Philip Fofanah
Senior Category
1st Position – Mariatu H. Kamara
2nd Position – Fatmata Karima Kuyateh
3rd Position – Gibrilla Dumbuya
The Spelling Bee Foundation Sierra Leone was established to promote literacy and language proficiency among young people, while providing a platform for children to discover and develop their talents through spelling mastery and effective English usage.
