Eastern Region senior high schools set for 2024 Climate Change Debate Tournament

The 2024 Climate Change Debate Tournament is set to return this November, gathering senior high school students from across the Eastern Region in a powerful forum for environmental advocacy.

Organized under the Schools Environmental Debating Programme (SEDP) by Disaster Resilience Network Ghana (DRNGhana) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), this year’s tournament builds on a successful inaugural event and reflects a five-year vision to engage all Senior High Schools in the 16 regions of Ghana.

The event, scheduled for November 12, 2024, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Oyoko SHS Assembly Hall, Eastern Region, will bring together 20 schools and 60 young debaters, who will take on two critical motions designed to challenge their understanding of environmental issues and inspire practical solutions.

The motions are: 1. Plastic Pollution – “Advocating for a ban on single-use plastics as a means to combat marine pollution and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.”

2. Climate Action Strategy – “Debating whether resources should focus more on mitigating climate change rather than on adaptation efforts.”

The debate contest will use a Parliamentary style debate format, with timed segments for structured arguments and rebuttals.

This year’s debate tournament is supported by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as sponsors including the Agricultural Development Bank and MELCOM Foundation.

The tournament promises to be a transformative experience.

The SHS Climate Change Debate Tournament is more than just a critical thinking and exchange of ideas; it is a call to action.

Winning schools will receive small grants to tackle their local environmental challenges, allowing students to work on real solutions for climate resilience within their schools and communities.

The future of climate action rests in the hands of today’s youth, and this debate is a vital step in empowering them to lead the way.

AM/KA

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