The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Domwini Dabire Kuupole, has presented GH¢111,100 to the University’s Debate Society after emerging runner-up at the 2016 debate on the Commonwealth Day celebration in Accra.
The UCC Debate Team, which took home a trophy, beat University of Ghana (UG), Legon, by just one mark.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Domwini Dabire Kuupole (2nd from right) with the debaters: Enoch Acheampong (with the trophy), Daniel Egel (2nd from left), and Bismark Osei (Students' Representative Council President)
The Debate Team, represented by Enoch Acheampong (Department of Communication Studies) and Daniel Egel (Department of English), scored 346.5 points to stay ahead of the UG which had 345.5 at the end of the two-round debate.
Four coordinators of the UCC Debate Society team were presented with GH¢50,000 for their guidance and commitment to the students success.
The debate was jointly organised by the Public Affairs Department of Ghana's Parliament and the Westminster Foundation of Ghana, a non-profit entity.
The debaters, student leaders and management of UCC during the meeting
Briefing the Vice-Chancellor on the debate, the leader of the UCC Debate Society Team, Master Enoch Acheampong said six universities engaged in the heated competition which was held on the topic: “Ghana Beyond Aid: An attainable feat or a political slogan.”
Speaking for the motion, Master Enoch Acheampong indicated that the UCC Debate Society team argued that the Ghana Beyond Aid policy was attainable as the goal was specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound.
Master Enoch Acheampong, the main speaker for the UCC Debate Society Team, said: " It is a good feeling for having won the competition. We were for the motion and put a lot of work into researching on the topic and rehearsing for the contest. Our trainers were also helpful, guiding us throughout. In all, we are thankful that the hard work paid."
UG
For its part, the UG team, which argued against the motion, was of the view that while it was true that Ghana needed to develop beyond aid, statistics and facts on the ground showed that the country was becoming more dependent on concessional loans rather than depending on mobilisation of domestic revenues for its development needs.
In his speech at the presentation, Prof. Kuupole congratulated the debaters for the hard work and lauded Ghana's Parliament for its laudable goal of encouraging critical thinking, reading, and research among young learners.
A group photo of debaters, student leaders and University management
The Vice-Chancellor encouraged students not to shy away from such competitions as they provided platforms that helped to strengthen their academic performance and widen their scope of understanding of issues of national development.
Prof. Kuupole advised students to use available books and internet resources to broaden their horizons for the sake of society.
The meeting attracted a number of dignitaries including the Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan, the Provost of the College of Agriculture Sciences, Prof. Samuel Y Mensah; the Dean of Students, Prof. Kwaow Edjah, the Director of Finance, Mrs. Elizabeth Obese, and some students.
Participating Universities
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) won the competition. The fourth position went to the University for Development Studies (UDS), with the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) securing the fifth position ahead of University of Education, Winneba (UEW).
Source: Directorate of Public Affairs