When Mariyam Lorba Konneh walks onto the Miss World stage in Vietnam this August, she will do so carrying more than Sierra Leone’s flag. She will represent years of community service, resilience in the face of disappointment, and a belief that purpose extends far beyond a pageant crown.
The 22-year-old has officially been confirmed as Sierra Leone’s representative for the Miss World 2026 competition after organisers opted not to hold a new Miss Sierra Leone pageant this year. With the reigning queen having already represented the country at the previous edition of Miss World, the opportunity passed to Konneh, who finished as first runner-up in the 2024 national competition.
For Konneh, the announcement came as an unexpected but deeply meaningful moment.
“I never imagined I would have another opportunity to compete at Miss World,” she told our correspondent. “When I received the call from the organisers, I was surprised. Everything happened within a very short period, but I am grateful to God for this opportunity and excited to represent my beautiful country.”
Her return to the international pageant scene follows a journey marked by perseverance. The 2024 Miss Sierra Leone contest attracted significant public attention after its outcome sparked debate among sections of the public, many of whom believed Konneh deserved the title. Rather than remain focused on the disappointment, she chose to step away from pageantry and dedicate herself fully to the work that had always been closest to her heart.
“After 2024, I moved on,” she said. “It was heartbreaking for me, and my family, friends and loved ones were also disappointed, but I accepted everything in good faith. I decided that whatever happened, it would not stop me from doing what I have always loved, serving people.”
That commitment found expression through the Mariyam’s Ways Foundation, where she has continued to champion education, women’s empowerment and community development across Sierra Leone.
Over the past year, the foundation has organised programmes marking Menstrual Hygiene Day, promoting dignity, awareness and better opportunities for girls. It has also donated books and school bags to pupils in communities across Potoru in Pujehun District, as well as chiefdoms in Bo and Kenema, helping to support children’s access to education.
More recently, the foundation completed a month-long vocational empowerment programme that equipped 60 beneficiaries with practical skills in the beauty industry. According to Konneh, experienced professionals were brought in from abroad to deliver intensive training aimed at helping participants build sustainable careers and become financially independent.
“I mention these projects because I want people to understand that my passion has never depended on pageantry,” she said. “Whether I had a crown or not, the work would continue. Empowering lives and contributing to my society has always been my purpose.”
Now, that purpose will be showcased on one of the world’s biggest stages.
As she prepares to join contestants from across the globe in Vietnam, Konneh says she sees the opportunity not as a personal achievement but as a privilege to tell Sierra Leone’s story through service, culture and compassion.
“It is an honour that I will always appreciate,” she said. “Representing Sierra Leone means everything to me. I hope every Sierra Leonean will embrace this opportunity because it is bigger than me. It is a chance for us to stand together and proudly present our country to the world.”
Contestants are expected to arrive in Vietnam on 9 August ahead of several weeks of activities leading to the Miss World 2026 grand finale. For Konneh, the journey is not simply about competing for an international title. It is an opportunity to amplify the work she has already begun at home and to show that beauty, when matched with purpose, can become a powerful force for change.