Alpha Beta Christian College won the debate category at the 2nd edition of the 2023 Inter–School Girls Debate Championship.

The event, held at the University of Ghana’s Balme Library on March 8, 2023, and also marked the celebration of International Women’s Day was on the theme, “Think Equal, Build Inclusively & Advocate for Change.” 

There was also a panel discussion on; “DigitAll: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme was discussed by Jessica Armooh, a Product Marketer and founder of the ‘No-Code Techies’ Community, Elizabeth Patterson, an educationist and founder of the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG), and Otema Yirenkyi, a Data Scientist and Co-Founder of the tech-based NGO Because She Can.

The panel also had Michaela Wekem, an animal biologist and UNPFA Youth Leader Fellow as the moderator.

This event was put together by the Seven Minutes for Girls Initiative, a women-focused group that promotes the development of soft skills for young girls through debate and public speaking under the Speech Forces Organization.

The inter-school debate featured teams from five schools; AlphaBeta School, Presbyterian Secondary School (Mampong), DPS International Ghana and Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School and was held in the British Parliamentary style of debate.

At the end of contest, Alpha Beta Team A, comprising Edem Maabena Kwakyewaa Nti and Oforiwaa Amparbeng, won the championship. Alpha Beta Team B came in 2nd followed by Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School Team B in 3rd place.

There were medals awarded to the top five speakers with Edem Maabena Kwakyewaa Nti from Alpha Beta being adjudged the overall best speaker at the championship. Adwoa Owusuaa-Obiri from DPS International followed at 2nd place, Shanice Acquaye from Achimota and Rebecca Nartey from Alpha Beta shared the 3rd place spot and the 5th best speaker award went to Halimatu Sardiah Abdul-Razak from Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School.

To crown an exceptional performance on the day, Edem Maabena Kwakyewaa Nti also picked up the best speaker award at the Grand Finals.

In her keynote address, the award-winning investigative journalist, Mrs. Francisca Enchill expressed her views on one of the main reasons why there is a digital divide between men and women is mainly due to the ways in which we are brought up with the mentality that the man is always the provider and the woman the home-maker.

She stated that looking into our homes would be the best way in embracing equity in society.

Speaking at the event, the Championship Convener and Team Lead of Seven Minutes for Girls, Ms. Jennifer Nsiah Sarkodie Esq. expressed her gratitude on behalf of the organising team to all the participating schools, volunteers and individuals who supported the program.

She also thanked the Chief Adjudicating Panel members, Maureen Kyere and Abena Achiaa Otuo and the Initiative’s Patron, Mrs. Akosua Manu, Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority and asked for more support in order to broaden the reach of the competition in the subsequent years.