Aburi Girls’ student wins debate in style
Miss Aniela Naa Adorkor Allotey, a second-year student of the Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, won the hearts of many when she emerged the winner at the final of the 2014 national debate dubbed ‘The Young Debaters (TYD)’ competition in Accra.
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The public speaking competition which is under the auspices of the Young Educators Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that promotes literacy in Ghana, allows students to develop critical thinking and communication skills by engaging in debates.
Miss Allotey, who advanced a presentation on the topic, ‘Ideas are our greatest weapon’, conquered all odds to win the fiercely contested competition based on her assertive personality and well-researched presentation.
For her prize, she received a return ticket to London to represent Ghana at the 33rd International Public Speaking Competition in addition to a gold medal, products from Indomie, GH¢700, Vodafone Dongle with 5 GB data and books for her personal library.
The competition, which was held at the Christ the King Church Hall in Accra, brought together 18 participants drawn from schools in Accra and Tema as well as the Eastern Region.
The participating schools were Aburi Girls’ SHS, Ghanatta Senior High School, Krobo Girls, Presby SHS, St. Rose’s SHS, Ashaiman SHS, SOS Hermann Gmeiner International College, Chemu SHS, Armed Forces Senior High Technical School and His Majesty Academy.
Others included the Tema Presby SHS, Tema Senior High School, Labone SHS, O’Reilly SHS, Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC) Legon, St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and the West Africa SHS.
Master Samuel Effah Amponsah from PRESEC was the first runner-up while Miss Jade Kankam-Nantwi of the SOS Hermann Gmeiner International College emerged the second runner-up.
For their prizes, Master Amponsah received a silver medal, products from Indomie, books for his personal library and Vodafone Dongle with 5 GB data while Miss Kankam-Nantwi received a bronze medal of honour.
All the participants received certificates of participation while coaches of the debaters received Vodafone Webboxes to help improve technology in their various schools.
The competition was sponsored by Indomie Instant Noodles with support from Vodafone Ghana and Mayan Books Company.
Judges on the panel allocated marks to the participants based on their expression, body language and delivery of speeches, reasoning and knowledge about the subject matter.
Other criteria included creativity, timing and the ability to understand and answer questions eloquently.