Over the weekend, Academic City University College buzzed with excitement as 42 girls from nine high schools gathered for the highly anticipated 3rd edition of the Inter-School Girls’ Debate and Public Speaking Championship.

Organised by Seven Minutes for Girls, an initiative by Speech Forces Organization, the event showcased the eloquence and passion of young female debaters and speakers.

After five intense rounds of debating, Leila Talaata Adama and Yakubu Huda from Ghana Lebanon Islamic School emerged victorious in the debate category, besting teams from Aburi Girls’ High School, Labone High School, and Galaxy International School in the grand finals.

The motion, "This House regrets the trend of prominent business women giving advice on how to succeed in status quo corporate culture (e.g. lean-in feminism), rather than fighting to radically reform that culture”, sparked lively discussions and insightful arguments.

Nicole Atakorah from SOS Herman clinched the title of Overall Best Speaker for her exceptional performance. There were also participants from Aves International School, International Community School Accra and DPS International School.

In the public speaking category, Binta Fall from Galaxy International School claimed the top spot, captivating the audience with her eloquence and confidence. Afia Ohemeng from Aburi Girls’ High School, Kekeli Afi Atta-Mills from Alpha Beta Christian College, and Adjah Wilhelmina Elinam from Labone Senior High School also made the finals.

This annual event, organized by Seven Minutes for Girls Initiative, aims to promote the development of soft skills among young girls through debating and public speaking. Supported by the African Women Development Fund (AWDF), the initiative seeks to empower girls to become confident leaders and change-makers in their communities.

Reflecting on the day’s events, Jennifer Nsiah-Sarkodie Esq., the Team Lead of Seven Minutes for Girls, expressed pride and gratitude.

"Today, we witnessed the power of female voices and how crucial they can be in confronting systemic marginalization," she remarked.

"With the unwavering support of AWDF, Mrs. Akosua Manu, and our partners, we will continue to empower girls to become leaders and change-makers."

The event, which coincided with International Women’s Day, carried the theme of "Inspiring Inclusion." The three-week program kicked off with training sessions in the British Parliamentary style of debating and women's rights issues for the participating schools.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and look to the future, let us all commit to inspiring inclusion and creating a world where every girl has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.