Renel Ghana Foundation Celebrates National Day of the Girl Child with Debate Competition

On October 18, 2024, in honour of the National Day of the Girl Child, the Renel Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the National Youth Authority Ghana, hosted a debate competition aimed at empowering young students, especially girls, to engage in critical discussions on social issues. The event was held at The Most Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church in the Tema West Municipal Assembly, where four schools, namely Kotobabi No. 2 TWMA JHS, Old Lashibi TWMA JHS, Klagon TWMA JHS, and Baatsona TWMA JHS, were selected for participation.

The primary objectives of the debate competition were to celebrate the National Day of the Girl Child by creating a platform for young girls to voice their opinions. It also served as an avenue to encourage students, especially the girl child, to engage in constructive discussions on relevant social issues. Another key objective was to promote a culture of public speaking, research, and critical thinking among junior high school students and to highlight the importance of gender equality and the rights of young girls through education.

The debate involved two students from each of the four schools, who were carefully selected by their respective teachers. These students prepared and presented arguments on two very important societal topics:

1. Sanitary Pads vs. Condoms: Which Should Be Taxed?
2. The Precedence of Customary Laws Over National Laws: Is It Justifiable in the Context of Child Marriage?

The competition was well-structured, with teams presenting their opening arguments, engaging in rebuttals, and delivering closing statements. A panel of judges, comprising education experts and representatives from the National Youth Authority and Renel Ghana Foundation, evaluated the teams based on criteria such as content, presentation, clarity of arguments, and teamwork.

On that day, there was a diverse group of 62 participants, mostly girls, including students, teachers, assembly members, and representatives from other organizations. The impressive turnout indicated growing interest in gender equality education in the country.

After a series of engaging and competitive rounds, Old Lashibi TWMA JHS emerged victorious, demonstrating excellent skills in research, communication, and teamwork. To reward their victory, they were awarded a collection of library materials to support their educational development. All participants were also awarded certificates for their outstanding performances and participation.

The National Day of the Girl Child Debate Competition was not only a celebration of young girls’ voices but also an educational platform for raising awareness about issues affecting the girl child and promoting social consciousness. We are pleased to have achieved our event objectives of fostering critical thinking and empowering the youth.