Girls' Debate and Public Speaking Championship

In classrooms and communities across northern Ghana, girls are often socialised to be quiet — to listen rather than speak, to defer rather than assert. The Girls' Debate and Public Speaking Championship exists to change that. By creating structured platforms where girls research, prepare, and deliver arguments on national and community issues, the programme builds the skills and confidence that underpin lifelong leadership.

The Championship is more than a competition. It is a year-round programme of debate clubs, coaching sessions, and inter-school tournaments that culminate in a regional championship event. Girls learn to research topics, structure arguments, rebut opposing views, and speak with clarity and conviction in front of audiences. The topics are chosen to be relevant and challenging — spanning education policy, gender equality, health, governance, and community development — ensuring that participants not only build communication skills but also develop deep knowledge of the issues shaping their world.

The impact extends far beyond the podium. Girls who participate in debate carry their skills into the classroom, where they become more confident contributors to class discussions. They carry them into their communities, where they are more likely to speak up in family and community meetings. And they carry them into their futures, where the ability to think critically and communicate persuasively opens doors to leadership in every field.