Our Lady of Grace Senior High School (OLAG) has emerged as champions of the 2026 ACE Consult and U.S. Embassy Spoken Word Competition for the Ashanti Region, reaffirming the school’s commitment to nurturing creativity, confidence and effective communication among students.
The grand finale of the competition was held on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, bringing together some of the finest young spoken word performers from across the Ashanti Region.
The competition provided a vibrant platform for students to showcase their abilities in spoken word, poetry, public speaking, literary appreciation and creative expression. Out of 45 schools that registered for the competition, 39 participated in the various stages, with four schools advancing to the grand finale: Our Lady of Grace Senior High School, Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School, Oasis Christian Academy and Bosomtwe Boys STEM Senior High School.
Representing OLAG at the final stage were Keren Freda Asante and Grace Owusu Appiah, whose confidence, creativity and command of language distinguished them throughout the competition.
The contest featured three demanding rounds designed to test participants’ creativity, literary knowledge, confidence and ability to perform under pressure. In the opening round, contestants delivered theatrical spoken-word performances inspired by the 2026 World Cup theme, exploring themes of football, culture, diversity and unity. OLAG delivered a strong performance, earning 37 points and taking an early lead.
The second round challenged contestants on literary devices and general knowledge relating to Ghana and the United States. OLAG maintained its momentum, securing 19 points and remaining among the leading contenders.
The final round, known as the “On-the-Spot Scribble,” tested the contestants’ ability to create and perform original poetry within nine minutes using selected lines from renowned poems as inspiration. Demonstrating exceptional creativity and composure, OLAG recorded the highest score in the round with 35 points.
At the end of the competition, OLAG topped the scoreboard with an impressive 91 points to claim the championship title. Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School placed second with 84 points, followed by Oasis Christian Academy with 83 points and Bosomtwe Boys STEM Senior High School with 73 points.
The achievement was further celebrated when Grace Appiah Owusu was named the “Most Eloquent” contestant of the competition, recognising her outstanding communication skills, confidence and exceptional stage presence.
OLAG’s success goes beyond winning a competition. It represents the impact of creating opportunities for students to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, public speaking and self-expression.
The ACE Spoken Word Competition, organised by ACE Consult in partnership with the United States Embassy in Ghana, continues to empower young people by providing platforms that encourage intellectual growth, leadership development and global engagement.
Through the programme, OLAG representatives are expected to benefit from additional opportunities, including free SAT preparation classes and access to initiatives under the EducationUSA Scholars Programme. These opportunities will further support students in strengthening their academic preparation and exploring pathways to higher education.
The victory of Keren Freda Asante and Grace Owusu Appiah reflects the dedication of the students, the guidance of their teachers and mentors, and the broader support of the OLAG community. It is a testament to the school’s vision of developing students who are not only academically capable but also confident, creative and prepared to make meaningful contributions to society.
As OLAG celebrates this remarkable achievement, the school continues to encourage its students to discover their talents, embrace opportunities and use their voices to inspire positive change.
Congratulations to Keren Freda Asante, Grace Owusu Appiah, their teachers, mentors and the entire OLAG family on this outstanding accomplishment. OLAG remains committed to moulding students with purpose, confidence and the courage to make a difference.