MONROVIA — Liberian Scrabble player Benjamin Garkpah says he is ready to go toe-to-toe against some of Africa’s finest word masters at the upcoming 16th Africa Scrabble Championship (ASC), as Liberia prepares to host the continent’s premier Scrabble showpiece.
By Christopher C. Walker, christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com
The 16th Africa Scrabble Championship (ASC) is a four-day event, scheduled to run from October 22 to 25.
The tournament will feature players from 24 African nations at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, positioning Liberia at the center of the continent’s competitive Scrabble landscape.
Garkpah expressed enthusiasm over Liberia’s historic opportunity to host the prestigious tournament, while dismissing suggestions that playing on home soil would place the national team under undue pressure.
“It is a good feeling to host such a prestigious competition, and we are relishing the challenge as Team Liberia,” Garkpah told FrontPage Africa.
He revealed that approximately 30 Liberian players will represent the host nation, competing against seasoned grandmasters from across Africa, including regional powerhouse Nigeria, which he identified as the tournament’s top contender.
“I don’t see playing at home as pressure to deliver. We are playing at home, but this isn’t a home-and-away sport where the physical presence of home fans offers a tactical advantage,” he explained.
Facing the Nigerian Juggernaut
Garkpah acknowledged Nigeria’s storied dominance in international Scrabble, noting that the West African titan has claimed 14 of the previous 15 African championships.
With Nigeria expected to field a formidable contingent of world-ranked players, Garkpah noted that the defending champions remain the team to beat.
“For the moment, Nigeria is the best Scrabble nation in the world and has won 14 of the previous 15 continental championships.
Considering they are coming with a flock of elite and experienced players, they naturally hold the advantage,” Garkpah admitted.
Despite the steep challenge, Garkpah remains steadfast in his belief that Liberia can pull off major upsets against the continent’s elite.
Liberia Ready to Challenge Africa’s Best
Although Liberia is relatively new to the continental Scrabble circuit, Garkpah believes recent performances demonstrate the country’s rapid growth and raw potential.
He pointed to Liberia’s silver-medal finish at the 2024 All-Africa Games, where the country finished just behind Uganda as proof that Liberian players can stand tall on the big stage.
Liberia also made its presence felt at the 2025 World Scrabble Championship in Ghana, gaining invaluable international experience. Despite fielding just six representatives at the global event, a Liberian player stunned the international community by defeating several legends of the game, including all-time great Nigel Richards, former world champion Dr.Adam Logan, and reigning African champion Timi Doko.
Garkpah described that feat as a major statement on Liberia’s trajectory in international Scrabble.
“That was a message to the world that while we may be an emerging Scrabble nation, we have big dreams,” Garkpah said.
He added that increased exposure to international competitions has bolstered confidence among local players, preparing them for high-stakes matches.
Garkpah Targets Individual Milestone
Beyond team glory, Garkpah is keeping a sharp focus on his individual performance.
The Liberian star said he has undergone intense preparation, drawing key lessons from the Scrabble Mania tournaments held in Monrovia over the past two years. He credited the 2.0 and 3.0 editions of the local tournament in 2024 and 2025 with refining his tactical play and board management.
“Personally, I have done all I can to prepare for this event. I have taken cues from Scrabble Mania 2.0 and 3.0 in Monrovia,” he noted.
He identified surpassing his previous rating of 35 as his primary personal objective during the championship.
A Defining Moment for Local Sports
The 16th Africa Scrabble Championship represents a landmark moment for the Liberian Scrabble Association (LSA).
Hosting the tournament provides an unprecedented platform to build on the momentum of their 2024 All-Africa Games silver medal and 2025 World Championship performance.
While Nigeria’s track record makes them heavy favourites, Liberia’s recent strides suggest the host nation will be far from pushovers.
Garkpah and Team Liberia’s objective is clear: improve individual ratings, challenge Africa’s top seeds, and prove that Liberia’s presence on the continental stage extends far beyond hosting rights.