Here Comes the Debate and Off She Went Again:
From the Eyes of Salima Sufyan and Agnes Abah
Participation in the 2024 LuvFM-Pepsodent Ashanti Regional High School Debate was not Our Lady of Grace Senior High School’s first rodeo. In 2022, the school participated and was knocked out at the zonal preliminary stage. The school came back better and more prepared. The debate team had an arsenal of writers, debaters, and intellectual well-wishers. The just-ended LuvFM-Pepsodent High School Debate was a needed educational experience we would willingly partake in again. Many tears were shed, lessons lost, lessons learnt, sacrifices made, and scripts continuously revised. Though a challenging feat, we took the opportunity. The championship has been a heated battle between schools, creating enmity and fostering love.
Of the three contests at the preliminary stage, OLAG had two losses and one win, not coming off to a very good start. Despite this, the school qualified for the Round of 16 as the losing school with the highest mark. From the Round of 16 onwards, topical issues were debated. Continuous wins from Salima Sufyan, the principal speaker; Agnes Dreyer Ewoenam Abah, the supporting speaker; and Miguel Nuochem Ziekah, a substitute speaker, led us to the finals. OLAG SHS went against schools such as Adventist SHS in the Round of 16, Osei Kyeretwie SHS in the quarterfinals, and St. Hubert Seminary SHS in the semi-finals along the journey.
In the quarterfinals, we met those we had been looking up to since the preliminary stage of the contest – Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School. It was not an easy battle at all. A challenge offering a new way to achieve greater heights. Debating a topical motion as “Ex-gratia has outlived its purpose” showcased the ability of the speakers to progress and thrive in the competition. Our strength was anchored on the greater need to understand different perspectives and opinions – the need to disagree without being disagreeable.
Next up was the semi-finals against St. Hubert Seminary on the motion “African countries should prioritize regional integration over international partnerships.” Speaking for this motion was such a good stance. The key to bolstering our position was our capacity to anticipate and skillfully respond to counterarguments, back up our statements with facts, figures, professional judgements, or logical reasoning, and offer compelling arguments and refute the arguments put forth by the opposition.
We made it to the finals – the final lap! We had to face none other than Kumasi High School, speaking against a very political topic: “The rising cost of living cannot be blamed on the government.” Our stance was not the best. Regardless, we learned the art of making and breaking our persuasive abilities. The finale was a moment to capture the attention of our audience and leave a lasting impact. We left our footprint! As usual, support from the school pulled us through. We were discouraged and disheartened many times throughout the journey as the final drew closer. During that period, it took a lot to keep a smile on, but through it all, the headmaster, our parents, and patrons were very supportive. Friends also came along, helping us in the best way they could.
At the end of it all, we lost. It was heartbreaking, but then nobody made us feel proud of ourselves more than our biggest supporters: our parents, patrons, headmaster, and most importantly, the Our Lady of Grace student community, our biggest fans. Our participation in the competition has built confidence, resilience, and vital 21st-century oratory skills. It provided a supportive and engaging opportunity for our school to challenge ourselves. Though placing second, it is that great sense of achievement that we have done something quite challenging.
Great applause to our patrons, Ms. Margaret Oforiwaa, Ms. Beatrice Animah Opoku and Mr. Emmanuel Antwi – for their restlessness and huge sacrifices made in nurturing talents, providing a framework for high-quality activities, and opening up a whole world of possibilities and opportunities.
