At the just ended 8th edition of the Ghana University Debate Championship (GUDC) - the biggest debate and public speaking competition for tertiary institutions in Ghana - the contingent representing the Accra Technical University (ATU) made history by winning big.

ATU becomes the first Technical University in the country to ever represent at the national showdown, the first ever new participating institution to break (qualify) from the preliminary rounds into the qualification knockout stages with 50 percent adjudicators break and 45 percent teams break.

The University also won big on the night with Ms. Rachael Otiko Tettey winning the medal for Best New Judge and Master Nathaniel Kwebi Antwi winning Best Institutional Speaker from ATU.

All through, judges from ATU chaired major rounds and panelled top rooms in preliminary rounds. Ms. Rachael Otiko Tettey paneled the novice final and quarter-final, and also paneled the semi-final round for the open debate category, of the tournament.

Master Nana Yaw Sekyere panelled the Open final round and novice semi-final round of the tournament. These point to the excellence display of wit by the entire team.

In an interview with MyJoyOnline.com, the coach of the ATU team, Michael Koranteng, said he has been impressed at what they could achieve, considering the short period within which they had train and prepare for the national championship.

“A thinking generation is a powerful generation. It is my hope that this fire, as is being kindled in the Accra Technical University, will not wear out.

“Special thanks to the Vice-chancellor of ATU, Professor Samuel Nii Odai; the Dean of Student Affairs of ATU, Mr. Martin Owusu Amoamah, and the Secretary of the DOSA, Ms. Bridget Oduro Kyerewaa, for their continuous support for the debate society. We hope it keeps growing,” Mr Koranteng stated.

Representing ATU were four adjudicators including Rachael Otiko Tettey, Joyce Awuni Timbillah, Nana Yaw Sekyere and Sikiru Ibrahim Baba.

Speakers who represented were 10. They are Nathaniel Kwebi Antwi, Deborah Esther Agordorku, Joyce Dzidzor Kugbadzor, Joshua Tetteh Adjei and Emmanuel Wumborbe Bisilki.

The rest are Samuel Aduamah Yeboah, Rhoda Naa Lartey, Mehetabel Aquinas Gyebi, Maame Gyamfiwaa Amaning and Kelvin Ajube Michael.

“The ATU Debate Society is proof of hard work, perseverance, dedication and commitment. Congratulations to you,” Michael Koranteng added.