First ever African finalist at the Scripps Spelling Bee in the U.S., Afua Ansah, will join President Nana Akufo-Addo to light the perpetual flame at the Independence Square on March 6.

This is part of the celebrations for the 60th independence anniversary of Ghana which will be marked with school children, military, and other civil society organisations marching past the President.

In 2016, Ansah who won The Spelling Bee Ghana went on to the U.S to make history.

Her outstanding performance in the competition earned her a standing ovation in Washington, DC. She was also featured on many local and international media. 

By dint of hard work, Ansah brought international media attention on the excellence that Ghana's education offers. Based on this feat, she was chosen to be on this honourable assignment.

Ansah, 14, is a junior high school (JHS) form three student of Ridge Church School who loves public speaking and was the flag bearer for her political party in her school's mock election.

She is an avid reader who revels in anything from history to politics and her favourite book, 'We Should All Be Feminists', is authored by the person she would most like to meet; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

“What makes me proud as a Ghanaian is our rich cultural diversity and our spirit of togetherness,” she says.

Country Director, Young Educators Foundation, organizers of The Spelling Bee, Eugenia Tachie-Menson,  says “we are extremely honoured and very excited about this national assignment for Afua Ansah.

"We will continue to provide the platform of our programmes to Ghanaian children to showcase their talent.”