The Ghana Publishers Association and Afram Publications Ltd have presented items worth GH¢50,000 to the Tema Senior High School (SHS) for winning the fifth inter-school debate.
The event was organised as part of activities marking this year’s Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF) on the theme: “Inclusive publishing, celebrating accessible literature”.
The contest aimed to sharpen students’ communication skills, promote knowledge sharing and encourage innovative solutions to pressing national issues.
Items presented to the winners included a plaque, one desktop computer and accessories, souvenirs (branded cups, bookmarks) and books.
Contest
The Tema SHS beat Winneba SHS in a thrilling finale of the contest held at the National Theatre on August 20, 2025. Swedru SHS came third, while Okuapeman SHS placed fourth.
A representative of SIC Insurance Plc, Grace Obeng, who presented the prize, encouraged the students to use the computer to research topics that they would have to debate in the future.
“I am proud of the fact that it was an all-girls win. This is good for affirmative action. Continue to shine,” Ms Obeng said.
The Managing Director of Afram Publications Ltd, Ms Harriet Adelaide Tagoe, said the presentation of the items was in fulfilment of a promise made on the day of the contest.
Environment
“We decided to meet you in your own environment and congratulate you once again. You did well. You can rest assured that some of the pointers you shared during the debate will be discussed with the necessary authorities for the needed actions to be taken,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of GPA, Benjamin Tawiah Klu, advised the students and schools to patronise books with local content, which promote Ghanaian culture.
Background
Representatives of Tema, Okuapeman, Swedru and Winneba senior high schools took part in this year’s inter-school debate.
The team from Swedru SHS argued against the motion- The devastating effect of illegal mining (galamsey) on the environment is due to non-implementation of appropriate policies, whereas their counterparts from Winneba SHS argued for the motion.
On the other hand, the debaters from Tema SHS and Okuapeman SHS debated over what strategies could be used to deal with indiscipline in schools.
They argued respectively, for and against the motion: Indiscipline in schools is a result of deficiencies in the school curriculum.
Subsequently, Tema SHS and Winneba SHS faced off over the motion: The publishing industry has been adversely affected by the lack of copyright enforcement: Are authors and publishers deserving of copyright protection?
Debators
At the end of the gruelling session, the judges ruled in favour of Tema SHS. The debaters from TEMASCO argued that copyright ensures that creators are duly compensated for their creative efforts, thus promoting a thriving creative industry.
In addition, the creative industries, with support from copyright protection, contribute meaningfully to the national economy.
