UG DEBATE SOCIETY TO MAKE GHANA PROUD AT PAUDC 2019
The University of Ghana Debate Society is ready to fly the flag of Ghana high as it makes its 6th appearance at the Pan African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC) scheduled for 8th to 16th December, 2019 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
The 6th edition dubbed Akofena is under the distinguished patronage of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, the Asantehene & Chancellor of KNUST.
What is PAUDC?
PAUDC is the biggest intercollegiate debate championship on the African continent established in 2008 by the University of Botswana Debate Masters Association. It is a platform that affords students from all universities within the continent to discuss issues of Africa and beyond. This year’s championship is under the theme “Promoting the New African Narrative”.
KNUST steps in the shoes of UG
KNUST will be the second university in Ghana to host the most prestigious Debate Championship on the continent after UG hosted for the first time in 2015. 650 Speakers from 103 Universities from 16 countries will participate for the trophy at Akofena. UG and KNUST will take the healthy rivalry to another level during the competition as the former seeks to equal the record set by the latter by winning the championship. KNUST is the defending champions of PAUDC.
Team UG Preparation
The Speakers and Adjudicators representing University of Ghana (UG) commenced a non-residential camping in November, 2019 to intensify their training ahead of the championship. The team knowing what is at stake, especially the championship being in Ghana and the fact that they were in the finals at the 5th edition at University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, have vowed to make UG and Ghana proud in Kumasi.
Kweku Agyepong Apreku during the 2019 Bilateral Games Debate Competition against University of Ibadan
Team UG have experienced speakers and adjudicators such as the 2019 World Public Speaking Champion Jeremiah Kobby Sekyi, Solomon Omani-Mensah (as a Team they placed 4th in Tanzania in the finals of the debate championship), Kweku Agyepong Apreku, Maureen Kyere and Abigail Adepa Danso making the trip for the championship. The Best Speaker at the Fresher’s Debate Championship and also one of the speakers to watch out for during the championship, Akyaw Elisha Owusu will be competing amongst other speakers on the ticket of UG.
Coach Asinyo Dreaming Gold
Mr. Antonio Edem Asinyo Debate Coach of UG and also the President of the World Universities Debate Championship (WUDC) is optimistic of UG winning Gold at the Championship. He remarked that UG has experienced Speakers who for the past three years have gained relevant knowledge at the PAUDC and WUDC to make it count at Kumasi. Mr. Asinyo said the team is relishing for the ultimate as they seek to graduate next year with their names etched in gold in the annals of UG and Debate on the African continent.
Team UG will depart Legon for Kumasi on Monday, 9th December, 2019. We wish the team the very best in the Championship.