By Augustine Amos Kargbo
Freetown, 28th September 2026– Sierra Leone’s representative at the Miss World 2026 pageant, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, has made a passionate appeal for stronger public backing of contestants representing the nation on the global stage.
Speaking at a press briefing hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs on September 23, Konneh emphasized that international pageantry is not only about beauty and performance, but also about the level of support contestants receive from their home countries.
“For pageants like Miss World, you don’t have to be the smartest in the room or deliver the best catwalk. What matters most is how your country supports you. That is the major thing they look at,” Konneh told journalists.
Her remarks underscored the importance of rallying behind Sierra Leone’s representatives, noting that such collective encouragement boosts contestants’ confidence and enhances the country’s visibility on the international stage.
Konneh’s journey at Miss World 2026 was marked by historic achievements. She became Sierra Leone’s first-ever finalist in the prestigious Beauty with Purpose humanitarian programme, recognized for her advocacy in menstrual health, girls’ education, and youth empowerment. She also clinched victory in the inaugural Miss World Head Chef Beauty Competition as part of Team Two, showcasing teamwork, culinary creativity, and innovation.
Beyond competition, Konneh proudly carried Sierra Leone’s cultural identity to the world. She donned striking national costumes during the Hello Vietnam, Hello World cultural showcase and the Dances of the World segment, while promoting the nation’s religious tolerance, linguistic diversity, including Krio and Mende and rich heritage in international interviews.
Her call for greater support resonates with the broader message that pageantry is not merely about glamour, but about national pride and solidarity. “We must rally behind whosoever represents Sierra Leone in any pageantry. That is how we gain recognition as a country,” she stressed.
Konneh’s achievements have set a new benchmark for Sierra Leone in international competitions, reminding citizens that their collective encouragement can transform individual efforts into national triumphs.
