AYV News, August 11, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Miss World 2026 representative, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, has departed the country for Vietnam to compete in the 73rd Miss World Pageant, carrying the hopes, aspirations and support of Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.
Konneh left Sierra Leone on Sunday, August 9, following a colourful farewell ceremony held on Saturday, August 8, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown.
The send-off brought together government officials, cultural leaders, members of the creative industry, sponsors and Sierra Leoneans from different walks of life, who gathered to offer prayers, best wishes and words of encouragement as she embarked on her international assignment.
A former AYV Miss University Sierra Leone 2022, Konneh is an entrepreneur and final-year Banking and Finance student at IPAM. Beyond pageantry, she has distinguished herself through entrepreneurial and humanitarian initiatives supporting women and young people through business opportunities, skills development and menstrual hygiene programmes.
Her participation in the Miss World competition is therefore expected to go beyond the pursuit of the crown, providing a platform to showcase Sierra Leone’s culture, heritage, creativity and national identity to an international audience.
The ceremony was hosted by the Miss Sierra Leone Limited Board in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and the National Tourist Board.
Speaking at the event, MTCA Head of Public Affairs and Communications and Master of Ceremonies, Emmanuel A.B. Turay, described Konneh as an embodiment of Sierra Leone’s grace, resilience and creativity.
He said her participation presents an opportunity to showcase the country’s culture and heritage while contributing to broader national efforts to promote tourism, strengthen Sierra Leone’s international image and attract investment.
Chairman of Miss Sierra Leone Limited, Dr Adonis Aboud, said Konneh’s participation demonstrates that Sierra Leonean women can confidently compete and stand tall on global platforms.
He noted that she carries not only the national flag but also the aspirations of young Sierra Leonean women who seek to lead, inspire and contribute to the transformation of society.
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, Josephine Kamara, described Konneh as a symbol of the country’s growing creative talent.
She called on Sierra Leoneans, particularly those in the diaspora and young people active on digital platforms, to support Konneh and help amplify Sierra Leone’s presence throughout the international competition.
In her farewell remarks, Konneh expressed gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone, her sponsors and the people of Sierra Leone for their support.
She pledged to represent the country with dignity, pride and passion, emphasising that her participation in the Miss World competition is not merely a personal journey but a collective representation of Sierra Leone.
As she takes Sierra Leone’s beauty, culture and aspirations to the global stage, Konneh will also be seeking to inspire young people while highlighting the country’s talent, resilience and potential.
Her participation further provides an international platform for Sierra Leone to promote its cultural identity, tourism, creative industries and national brand.
With the Miss World crown firmly in her sights, Mariyam Lorba Konneh now heads to Vietnam carrying the flag, hopes and best wishes of Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.
Sierra Leone wishes Mariyam Lorba Konneh every success as she takes the national flag to the world stage.
