The 2011 champion of Ghana’s Spelling Bee sister tournament – The Young Debaters – Caleb Kudah, who went on to became the first Ghanaian to win the 2nd Runner-up position in the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC-UK) is perhaps the most famous of all the other national champions of this tournament, who have since moved on to become prominent young figures in society.
Dr Ama Essuman, the 2012 champion, for instance, is now a medical doctor. Aniela Allotey, 2014, is an astute TV sports journalist.
They all gained much of the confidence they carry today after becoming National Champions of ‘The Young Debaters’ public speaking tournament, which 15th year edition takes place this Friday March 7, at the British Council Hall.
Targeted at high school students in Ghana, and whose winner goes on to participate in the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC), in London, UK, the International competition is run annually by the English-Speaking Union (a charity registered in the UK), which promotes international understanding through the use of English language throughout the world.
In participating, not only do the young minds join the best young speakers from all over the world in London for a week of cultural exchange and public speaking contests, but they learn “the power of debate and its ability to foster critical thinking, enhance communication skills, and empower individuals to analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives by actively engaging in the process of constructing and defending arguments against opposing viewpoints, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of the topic at hand.”
Debating, which is the ‘art of argument’, is essentially a tool for intellectual growth and development through reasoned discussion.
IPCS, accessed by over a million young people of different backgrounds from more than 50 countries across the globe, has finalists writing and delivering a speech connected with the theme for the year’s competition.
In Ghana, they do this by first participating in The Young Debaters competition, during which tournament, they are given themes, not topics – e.g. ‘The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they have none.’ – to discuss.
This approach grooms the young minds to develop key critical thinking and logical reasoning attitudes like having to research, analyze evidence, and identify flaws in opposing arguments. It improves their communication skills, and helps them practice constructing persuasive arguments, which they have to deliver clearly, and respond effectively to counterpoints.
This year’s competition takes place next Friday at the British Council and will be welcoming the two officials from IPSC who, having been impressed with the performance of the Ghana team over the years, are visiting as special guest observers.
