UG DEBATE MAKES HISTORY AT 2020 PAUDC
The University of Ghana Debate Society continued its impressive form at the Virtual Pan African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC) held from 14th to 20th December, 2020. The Championship dubbed Umoja Ni Nguvu in Swahili (Unity is Power) was a collaboration between the PAUDC Council, Makerere Debate Union and Royal Rhetorics.
PAUDC is the biggest intercollegiate debate championship on the African continent established in 2008 by the University of Botswana Debate Masters Association. It is a platform that affords students from all universities within the continent to discuss issues on Africa and beyond.
University of Ghana was represented by seventeen (17) students who competed in Debate, Public Speaking and Adjudication categories.
Public Speaking Treble Completed
Zempare Wesoamo a level 200 student reading Biological Sciences (Combined Major – Biochemistry and Food Science) who debuted at PAUDC and also her first external competition was adjudged the Champion in the Public Speaking category.
Miss Wesoamo expressed her excitement on her achievement after the championship.
“It was my first PAUDC and I was excited that I had been chosen to represent the university. Although I did not know what to expect, my Coach and my teammates were there and made it easy. Winning the Public Speaking category was a big milestone I looked to achieving and it is elating to know that all the hardwork and hours put in paid off. I look forward to achieving more and making myself, the Society, the university and Ghana proud.”
This makes University of Ghana (UG) the first Ghanaian tertiary institution to win this award category on the African continent and also complete the treble for being the holders of Public Speaking in Ghana, Africa and the World between 2019 to 2020.
In the same category, Elisha Owusu Akyaw and Dawn Tetteh placed 4th and 9th Best Speakers respectively while Ezekiel Hayford was the 5th Best Judge.
Debate Trophy Lurking
UG made the semifinals for the third consecutive time in the Debate category, however, fell short of equaling its performance at Akofena 2019 when it placed third.
Kelly Kwame Corchil, Elorm Komla Boafo and Maureen Kyere were adjudged 3rd, 8th and 10th Best Adjudicators respectively.
Debate Coach Impressed with performance
Mr. Lawrence Nii Kotey Neequaye former UG Debate Society President and Assistant Coach now the substantive Coach of the Team was impressed with the overall performance of the team especially for the debutants who had their first experience of an international tournament, albeit through an online medium which has become the order of the day due to the Corona virus pandemic.
“The drive and commitment the team showed speaks to the greater prospects which the future holds. Wesoamo and her partner, Prisca performed impressively in the debate category by making it to the quarter finals on their very first attempt. Wesoamo’s performance to clench the Public Speaking trophy making UG record holder of the national, continental and global champions speaks volumes of the feats the Society is yet to attain, and as a Coach I look forward to seeing that to fruition.
The team will be fired up to defend the trophies in Public Speaking in 2021 and hopes to turn their fortunes around in the Debate category within the same period.