National championship tournament crowned young debate champions in a historic display of knowledge

The Debate Innovation National Championship Tournament, held on October 26 at Trinity Lutheran School, gathered Ghana’s brightest young minds in a competition that championed intellectual rigour, eloquence, and critical thought.

This event marked a turning point, bringing together students from both basic and senior high schools in a unique format that transcended age and grade divisions.

Instead of separating students by academic level, the tournament focused purely on knowledge, analysis, and communication, setting a new standard in Ghanaian education competitions. Over 600 students competed in qualifiers, and in an inspiring finale, Adom Ackah from Princeton Academy—a basic school—made history by winning the National Championship title.

About Debate Innovation

Debate Innovation is a US-based, non-profit organization with a global vision to promote critical thinking and meaningful dialogue among young people, especially in Africa. Founded by Emmanuel Yeboah, Debate Innovation aims to empower students through debate, giving them the skills to think analytically, communicate effectively, and engage thoughtfully with societal issues.

The organization’s mission is to provide a platform for the youth to voice their perspectives on important topics, enabling them to make informed contributions to their communities. Since its establishment, Debate Innovation has organized debate tournaments across Ghana and plans to expand its reach throughout Africa, creating a continent-wide network of engaged, civic-minded students ready to tackle global and local challenges.

A New Format: Inclusive and Insightful

This year’s championship departed from traditional academic competitions by encouraging students of all ages to compete on an equal footing, reflecting Debate Innovation’s commitment to inclusivity and knowledge without boundaries. For the first time, younger students could challenge their senior peers directly, creating a vibrant and collaborative environment. The inclusive approach allowed basic school students, such as Adom Ackah, to demonstrate that age is not a barrier to intellectual prowess.

This format pushed both younger and older students to bring their best, as each debate was not merely a competition but an opportunity for learning, mutual respect, and perspective sharing. The decision to combine students from diverse educational levels encouraged critical exchange and exposed students to new ways of thinking, reinforcing the organization’s philosophy that intellect and insight can flourish at any age.

The Tournament’s Structure and Topics

The National Championship featured three structured rounds, each round introducing a progressively complex issue designed to test students on their analytical capabilities, communication skills, and ethical reasoning.

Preliminary Round: The opening question, “Should a president serve more than one term in office?” urged students to examine the balance between political stability and democratic accountability. Students explored arguments on the advantages of continuity in leadership versus the risks of prolonged power, grounding their points in democratic principles and historical examples.

Semi-Final Round: In the semi-finals, students tackled a topic deeply rooted in Ghanaian politics: “Which president made greater progress in fighting corruption in Ghana?” Participants analyzed various administrations, assessing policies and impacts in the fight against corruption. This round challenged students to think critically about governance and transparency, as they compared leadership styles and weighed the effectiveness of policies.

Final Round: The concluding round posed a universally relevant question: “Should freedom of speech be restricted?” In this final debate, students examined the ethical and societal complexities of freedom of expression. They discussed the implications of unrestricted speech versus the need for limits to prevent harm, misinformation, or hate speech. This round tested competitors on their ability to argue both sides of a fundamental issue, demonstrating empathy and logical rigour.

Victory for Princeton Academy and Beyond

After three intense rounds, Adom Ackah from Princeton Academy emerged as the champion. Known for his clarity, strategic thinking, and calm composure, Adom impressed the judges, particularly in the final round, where his balanced perspective on freedom of speech stood out. His historic win as a basic school student highlights the power of inclusive competition and sets a new precedent in Ghanaian debate history.

Princeton Academy’s success continued with second-place winner Franciaca Amanshia Nunoo, who exhibited strong analytical skills and confidence throughout the tournament. Franciaca’s performance reflected a mastery of counterarguments, allowing her to handle complex topics with poise and precision. Her success speaks to Princeton Academy’s commitment to fostering articulate and informed students.

In third place was Clement Yeboah from Tweneboah Kodua SHS, whose thoughtful approach and insightful analysis brought him recognition. Clement’s arguments demonstrated his maturity and understanding of issues, particularly on freedom of speech, where he effectively argued for balanced rights and responsibilities. His success is an inspiration to students across Ghana, proving that debate is a skill built on dedication, knowledge, and empathy.

A Festival of Ideas and Community Support

With over 600 attendees, the National Championship became a community celebration of intellectual engagement, resilience, and youth empowerment. The supportive atmosphere encouraged students to take pride in their achievements, and each round’s applause reflected the hard work and dedication displayed by every participant. Parents, teachers, and community leaders attended, underscoring the importance of fostering a culture that values knowledge, empathy, and dialogue.

Founder Emmanuel Yeboah expressed his pride in the event and its participants. “This tournament was not just a competition,” Yeboah stated. “It was a testament to the potential of Ghana’s youth to engage thoughtfully and intelligently on issues that matter. The fact that our top two winners came from a basic school only emphasizes that brilliance knows no age.” Yeboah’s words resonated with the mission of Debate Innovation, a platform dedicated to empowering young people to express their ideas confidently and make informed contributions to their communities.

Looking to the Future: Expanding Debate Innovation’s Reach

Following this year’s successful championship, Debate Innovation has ambitious plans to expand its impact. Founder Emmanuel Yeboah envisions the National Championship as an annual event that will inspire students in Ghana and beyond, encouraging critical thinking and civil discourse. With its reach extending to schools across Africa, Debate Innovation aims to engage students from all backgrounds, especially in underserved regions, fostering a culture of dialogue and informed citizenship.

To support these goals, Debate Innovation is working to establish partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations, providing students with access to resources that promote critical thinking and debate. By building a continent-wide network of young debaters, Debate Innovation aims to cultivate a generation of leaders who value understanding and empathy in addressing complex societal issues. Yeboah’s vision is to make debate an integral part of African education, enabling young people to build skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Celebrating the Champions and Their Legacy

This year’s winners—Adom Ackah, Franciaca Amanshia Nunoo, and Clement Yeboah—are more than just champions. They are role models who have set a standard of excellence and inspired their peers. Adom’s victory, Franciaca’s strong showing, and Clement’s mature insight are testaments to the dedication, critical thinking, and respect for dialogue that are central to effective debate.

As they return to their schools and communities, these young champions embody the spirit of Debate Innovation, demonstrating that meaningful dialogue, knowledge, and compassion can lead to impactful change. Their achievements remind us that the next generation is ready to address today’s challenges with intelligence and empathy, paving the way for a brighter future.

Empowering Future Leaders Through Debate

By championing critical engagement and creating platforms where young voices are valued, Debate Innovation is investing in the leaders of tomorrow. The 2024 National Championship has laid the foundation for future tournaments that will continue to empower students in Ghana and beyond. The champions’ stories encourage their peers to embrace debate as a powerful tool for learning, growth, and societal impact.

The 2024 National Championship Tournament will be remembered not just for the victories of Adom, Franciaca, and Clement, but for its enduring impact on the culture of learning and discourse in Ghana. Through their hard-earned success, these young debaters have left an indelible mark on Ghana’s debating history, showing that with dedication and opportunity, the potential of the next generation is limitless. Debate Innovation’s vision for the future remains bright, as it continues to nurture and support a new generation of informed, engaged, and thoughtful young leaders across Africa.