Ashaiman Senior High School and Accra Wesley Girls Senior High School emerged among the standout performers at the grand finale of Speak Up 1.0, an interschool debate and public speaking competition organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES) with support from T-TEL and Speech Forces.

The event, held on December 10, 2025, at the University of Ghana Business School, capped activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, using student voices to address digital safety and responsible online behaviour.

Ashaiman SHS clinched the Debate Championship title after weeks of competitive rounds, while Ngleshie Amanfro SHS secured the first runner-up position.

In the Public Speaking segment, Accra Wesley Girls SHS won the Prepared Speech award, with Ngleshie Amanfro SHS taking the Impromptu Speech crown.

The competition involved six senior high schools: Accra Wesley Girls, Ashaiman SHS, Christian Methodist SHS, Ngleshie Amanfro SHS, O’Reilly SHS, and Amasaman SHTS — all part of the Speech Club and Career Development Initiative being piloted by GES through T-TEL in partnership with Speech Forces.

Addressing participants and guests, Mrs Constance Baba Boateng, Language Coordinator at the Greater Accra GES Directorate, said the Service sees debate and public speaking as tools for building responsible citizenship.

“Speak Up 1.0 supports our vision of raising confident, thoughtful, and responsible learners who can engage issues affecting their lives,” she said.

T-TEL’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Coordinator, Marjorie Tackie, urged students to be mindful of their digital habits and the long-term impact of online harm, especially on vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, Mr Isaac Nyamekye Boakye, Director of Programs at Speech Forces, said the initiative is intentionally targeting students who often lack access to leadership development platforms.

“By equipping these learners with public speaking, logical reasoning, and teamwork skills, we are nurturing future leaders with the capacity to influence society positively,” he said.

Beyond trophies and titles, organisers say Speak Up 1.0 has strengthened youth advocacy, using dialogue, creativity, and leadership to push for safer digital spaces across Ghana.