2018 National Spelling Bee Winner Is A 12-Year-Old Genius

A 12-year-old first-time contestant from the Ashanti Regional capital Kumasi, rose above 196 others to emerge as the winner of the 2018 National Spelling Bee held at the Accra Digital Centre yesterday [Saturday].

The winner, Shifa Amankwah-Gabbey from Nagie's Angels Educational Centre burst into tears upon the realisation she had correctly spelt the championship word, ‘Wamara’ to win the competition on her first attempt.

Her victory was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the spectators who had spent the final moments of the competition on the edge of their seats.

Shifa will now represent Ghana at the Scripps Spelling Bee international competition at Washington DC in the United States of America.

She walked away with GHc 5,000 in scholarship money as well as a ticket to Washington for the Scripps Spelling Bee international competition and $500 spending money.

Shifa was pushed hard by the two runners-up, Raj Thakwani and Akshaya Janikiraman, both from DPS International Ghana at Tema.

Various sponsors also presented bags of goodies to the winner and runners-up.

This was the 11th edition of the spelling bee and it was organised by the Young Educators Foundation, a Non-governmental Organisation.

In all, the contestants came from Tamale, Techiman, Kumasi, Ho, Aflao, Kasoa, Tema, Akosombo, Accra and Akropong.

The Spelling Bee 2018 was sponsored by Indomie Instant Noodles with support from South African Airways, DStv Ghana, Blue Knights Bookshop, Rufus Green Parks, and PAS – US Embassy, iSpace and Voltic Mineral Water.