UG Hosts 8th Ghana Universities Debate Championship

University of Ghana's Emmanuella Gyimah was crowned Champion in the Public Speaking category

The University of Ghana has hosted the 8th Ghana Universities Debate Championship (GUDC), dubbed “Wɔgbɛ Jɛkɛ 22”, on the theme, “Thinking Global, Acting Local; Celebrating Excellence while Shaping the Future”.  

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Yusif Mustapha who was the Special Guest of Honour, lauded the University of Ghana for initiating the Championship in 2014. He expressed optimism that the GUDC will contribute to strengthening the ability of the youth to effectively debate and share opinions and views dispassionately, without violence and acrimony. 

Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Yusif Mustapha

In an address to officially open the championship, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, urged “all participants to take advantage of the championship to create and foster new networks, promote the spirit of peaceful co-existence among our universities and nurture the youth through debate”. She noted the timeliness of the theme, as global issues have a local impact on the country’s socio-economic activities. Prof. Amfo lauded the efforts of past and present internal and external stakeholders of the University including student debaters for the immense contribution to the growth of the Ghana Universities Debate Association and Championship. 

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo

Earlier, the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, welcomed the participants and guests, and expressed the hope that the Championship will provide students the platform to analyse pressing matters that affect the nation, and also engage in constructive discourse.  

Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah

The Director of Sports, Patron of GUDA and the Co-Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, reiterated the University of Ghana’s commitment to delivering an excellent experience to all participants. With the increasing need for students to study more outside of their scheduled curriculum, Dr. Bitugu pointed to the relevance of soft skills that promote critical thinking and public speaking in today's world. 

Director of Sports, and the Co-Chairperson of the LOC, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu

At the end of the 8-day event, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology was crowned champions of the Open Debate, while the University of Ghana claimed the Public Speaking Trophy.

The Provost of the College of Education, Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, who delivered an address at the closing ceremony on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, conveyed the appreciation of UG Senior Management to the heads of the participating institutions for the continuous support they give their respective debate teams. He also expressed appreciation to the LOC, sponsors and the media for the various roles they played to ensure that the event was successful. 

A cross-section of participants during the closing ceremony

Click here for the list of winners for the various categories