The University of Cape Coast (UCC) Debate Society has emerged winner of the public speaking competition category of the 2023 Pan African Universities Debate Championship held in Togo.

 The competition, with 31 African universities competing, had two categories: public speaking and a debate.

 The debate category contest was won by the Debate Society of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

 This came to light when the representatives of the UCC Debate Society, led by Haneef Mohammed Saani, presented the trophy won at the competition to the Dean of Students, Prof. Eugene Kofour Maafo Darteh.

 Briefing the Dean of students on the competition, Mr. Saani said: "The UCC Debate Society participated in the 2023 Pan African Universities Debate Championship held in Togo."

Haneef Mohammed Saani

"Following nine intense preliminary rounds of debate and four rounds of public speaking, the UCC Debate Society saw three of its four teams advanced to the pre-quarter finals and a perfect score from the judges," he indicated

 Mr. Saani continued: "The UCC “C” team, made up of Jonathan Agbetsoamedo and Nana Yaw Ofosu-Ababio, and the UCC “B” team, consisting of Jackline Ballang and Godfred Nana Boakye, advanced to the debate semifinals and Christian Foli eventually won the Public Speaking contest."

Some members of the UCC Debate Society

"So since the Competition was into two categories, UCC Debate Society won the Public Speaking contest with 90.6 points, while the KNUST won the Debate competition," he pointed out.

 For his part, Prof. Darteh, on behalf of the management, thanked the students for sparing time to prepare themselves adequately in order to win the Public Speaking competition.

Prof. Eugene Kofour Maafo  Darteh

He stated that it was gratifying to have students bring successes to the University. 

Prof. Darteh expressed the hope that the students would climb the ladder to other international competitions and bring more laurels for the University.

He, therefore, assured them that his office would continue to support the UCC Debate Society to win laurels for the University.

Photo and Story by: Enoch Acheampong (University Journalist)