The Ashanti Region Director of Education is encouraging the Multimedia Group Ltd to make its innovative Luv FM High School Debate for second-cycle institutions a national programme.

Mary Owusu Afriyie said the competition which has already attracted high patronage and interest among teachers, students s and the general public is already nurturing tomorrow's leaders in their fields of endeavour.

"The high level of patronage and interest is a clear indication of the potentials of this wonderful initiative. I will encourage the Ashanti Regional SRC and the Multimedia Group to pursue this vision until it takes a national dimension," she charged.

Twenty-four Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region competed in the preliminary stages from which eight emerged to join another eight who made it into the quarter-final stage of the maiden edition last year.

Four finalists, Tepa SHS, St. Monica SHS, St Jerome and Opoku Ware are doing battle to determine the winner as well as first and second runners-up of the 2919 contest.

Whilst Tepa and St. Monica's SHS will compete for the third and fourth positions, Opoku Ware and 'giant slayers', St. Jerome  SHS, a Grade 'A' school from Abofuor in the Offinso South Municipality, will do battle for the ultimate prize.

Ms Owusu Afriyie who is guest speaker at the closing ceremony preceding the battles pledged support for the competition and also asked corporate industry to support it financially to sustain it.

"My support for this competition is indicative of my firm belief in this project and I firmly pledge my continuous support to every effort that give students the chance to showcase their talents and abilities."

She commended St. Jerome SHS and Opoku Ware School for coming far in the competition.

"You have written your names in gold in the history of this competition," she said.