Lekki Scrabble Classics: Team Ghana's Menson enforces dominance as Nigeria plays second fiddle

Posted : 01 October 2024

One of Africa's finest wordsmiths in the world rankings—Ghana’s Charles Haizel Tachie Menson—has won the third edition of the prestigious Lekki Scrabble Classics with class and style.

The Kigali-bound Tachie Menson shined and sparkled like the diamond that he is among 62 Masters players at the two-day championship, winning 14 out of 18 games with a cumulative score of plus 977 points. The event was organized by the Lekki Scrabble Club under the leadership of Samuel Anikoh.

Shortly after he was crowned, Charles Haizel Tachie Menson said that it’s been a long and challenging journey to the den of Scrabble lions and tigers.

“I’ve been coming many times. Probably it’s my composure. You know, everything you do, you gain experience as the day goes by. This time, I think I was very composed, and I took my chances.”

Tachie Menson, who came in 8th at the last World English Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, explained that reaching the top in Lekki was not easy at all.

“I would say Emmanuel Umujose was still my toughest opponent. We played twice; he beat me, and then I beat him.”

He stated, “This is a great achievement. We hope to build on it. For some time now, Ghana has been in the doldrums of Scrabble, especially African Scrabble. But in the past, let’s say two years, we have made some inroads with my 8th position at the world championships in Las Vegas, which led us to finish as the fourth-best country, and now this, too.

“It’s going to really encourage us for the African Championships and the PANASA Championships.”

“I’m going to take it easy. I’ve done enough preparations over time, so from here I will take some rest. It’s about three weeks to Kigali. I’ll take a whole week to rest and prepare myself—like just to relax in a different way, you know, do extra activities, if you understand. By the time the time comes, I’ll be in good shape.”

Meanwhile, the Scrabble Association of Ghana (SCAG) is preparing a massive welcome party for the victorious Team Ghana upon their return from the Lekki Scrabble Classics in Accra.

The President of Scrabble Ghana, Haruna Adamu, said that Charles Tachie Menson, who won the event, and Stanley Ubiedi, who was among the top eight at the end of the competition, are worthy ambassadors who deserve to be honored and celebrated.

“I wasn’t surprised that Tachie Menson pulled this one off. So Kigali will be boiling; I can tell you that come 2025, at the World Championship, WESPAC 2025, the trophy is coming to Africa for the second time. We have no doubt in our minds; it’s coming to Africa for the second time—be it Ghana or Nigeria, it’s coming to Africa,” Haruna Adamu said.

“Hosting the African Games in Accra last year is paying off. I think we are getting the benefit of it now. I would say yes because it has sort of galvanized our players,” he added.

Lekki Scrabble Classics: Team Ghana's Menson enforces dominance as Nigeria plays second fiddle

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