The 2020 edition of The Spelling Bee competition has been officially launched at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. Speaking at the launch, organizers announced that the grande finale of the competition will also take place at the Manhyia Palace under the auspices of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation. Delivering a speech on behalf of HRH Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of the Asantehene, the Amakomhene, Nana Adu Asare, said, “it is our honour and pleasure to host and welcome the National Finalists of The Spelling Bee 2020 here in our culturally rich city of Kumasi in February 2020.” Speaking on the theme ‘Literacy begins at Home’, Lady Julia encouraged parents to create a conducive environment at home for their children to make them some of the most literate children in the world. The Spelling Bee is a national spelling programme open to primary schools across the country, and it is in its 13th year. The Country Director of Young Educators Foundation, organisers of The Spelling Bee, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, expressed their joy at the gesture of being hosted by the Manhyia Palace. “We are truly honoured to have been invited and hosted by none other than the Asantehene for our 2020 national finals. This truly shows that he is dedicated to promoting education not just within Asanteman, but throughout Ghana as well. “We are also elated to share this news, that our partners Multichoice Ghana-DSTV will broadcast the national finals live across the continent, showcasing the brilliance that embodies our children.” She thanked all partners who have supported the programme since its inception and those who have joined along the way. Title sponsors Indomie Instant Noodles, who were also present at the launch, spoke of their continued support for The Spelling Bee in the years to come. Another long-standing partner, the US Embassy-Accra, commended the organisers of The Spelling Bee for making the programme accessible to as many children as is possible and committed their continued support for it. So far, over 7,000 children have been impacted in the 2019/2020 edition and the national finalists will be no more than 150 Spellers come February 2020. With 6 major cities partaking in the programme this year, organisers say this year’s has been one of the most extensive, spanning 12 full months of training teachers and then students before holding regional competitions. The top prize is an all-expense paid trip on South African Airways to the 93rd Scripps National Spelling Bee in the USA to represent Ghana, the only African country that continues to participate in this international competition. Other prizes include a DSTv-sponsored trip to South Africa, book vouchers from Blue Knights Bookshop, a trip on Kenya Airways, a spot in the Ashesi Innovation Experience programme plus products from Indomie and Voltic Source: 3news.com|Ghana]]>
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