Two members of the Debate Society of University of Cape (UCC) have been declared winners of the Parliament@30 Debate competition with 205 points.
The debate teams of the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) and the Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU) placed second and third with 169 and 135 points, respectively.
The competition organised by Parliament of Ghana was part of activities marking the 30th anniversary celebration of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy on the theme, “30 years of parliamentary democracy under the 4th Republic: The journey thus far.”
The topic for the debate held at the School of Medical Sciences Auditorium (SMS-UCC) was “Smart phones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made students and lecturers lazy.”
- Godfred Nana Sakyi - Lead Speaker for UCC
UCC Debate Society, as well as the debate team of CCTU spoke for the motion while the TTU debate team argued against it.
Judges on the panel allocated marks to the debaters based on their expression, use of argument and rebuttals, examples and presentation style.
For winning, the contestants of UCC received GH¢2,500. The contestants of TTU received GH¢2,000, while CCTU received GH¢1,500.
Debaters
The principal speaker for TTU Debate Team, Theophilus Tetteh Huagie, a Level 300 Electrical Engineering student, was the first to mount the stage to argue against the motion. He was supported by Richard Budada, also an Electrical Engineering student.
- The debaters from CCTU and TTU
Richmond Sekou, supported by Prince Adomako, represented CCTU and boldly spoke for the motion.
However, it took the eloquence of the lead speaker for UCC Debate Society, Godfred Nana Sakyi, a level 300 BSc Health Information Management student, supported by Jackline Ballang, a final year Bachelor of Arts student to clinch victory. The two debaters for UCC are also members of UCC Students’ Parliamentary Council.
- Jackline Ballang - Second Speaker
Commendation and Call on Youth to uphold Ghana’s Democracy
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Andrews Amoako Asiamah, commended the debators and their teachers for the sterling performance. He reminded Ghanaians that the fourth republican Parliament had played a vital role in shaping Ghana's democratic credentials and fostering closer connections with the people.
Mr. Amoako, who is also the Member of Parliament for Fomena, emphasised the need to create more interventions and platforms that would further motivate the youth to take active part in governance of the country.
- Hon. Andrews Asiama Amoako - Deputy Speaker of Parliament addressing the event
He reassured all the youth of the dividends of democracy and appealed to them to be patient and endeavour to continue to support the democracy of the country.
Members of Parliament at the function included ; Cape Coast North, Dr. Kwamena Mintah Nyarku; Cape Coast South, Hon. Kweku Ricketts Hagan, and Awutu Senya West, Gizelle Tetteh-Agbotui.
The event brought together traditional rulers, academia, politicians, civil society groups, security agencies, the clergy, as well as students.
Source:Documentation and Information Section-UCC