The Accra Technical University (ATU) Debate Society has earned impressive recognition and laurels at the 4th edition of the Kumasi Debate Open.
Hosted by the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), the event took place from Tuesday, May 23 to Sunday, May 28, 2023.
The ATU Debate team, led by its coach Michael Koranteng, won a total of five medals and set some amazing records for all technical universities in Ghana.
Medals won include but not limited to:
- Best Public Speaking Judge – Michael Koranteng
- 2nd best Public Speaking judge – Samuel Aduama Yeboah
- 2nd (Michael Koranteng), 5th (Mehetabel Aquinas Gyebi) & 10th (Samuel Iwuozor Chizaram) Best Debate Judge (Open Category).
The Kumasi Debate Open is one of the biggest debate tournaments for tertiary institutions in Africa.
In its fourth year, it saw the participation of students from universities across four countries – Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Kenya.
This year was the biggest since the inception of the tournament in 2019.
The Atu Debate Society continued its impressive streak and form, from winning the Heritage debate commemorating University of Ghana’s 75th Anniversary celebration in March, beating the host institution and three other universities, to winning medals and setting records in Kumasi over the past week.
Records set include:
- Top 3 Public Speaking breaks from prelims
- 3 Public Speaking finals judge breaks
- 1 novice team break
- Top 3 public speaking breaks
- 4 public speaking judge breaks
- 2 Novice Judge break, 2 open judge breaks
Coach of the Atu Debate Society Michael Appiah Asamoah Koranteng noted that this feat attained is only a step to bigger recognitions the team expects to gain in the future.
“Established barely a year ago, we – as a society – are determined to excel on the highest stage of debate and public speaking in the world and also to lift the banner of ATU high.
“We are most grateful to the Office of the Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Affairs for their constant support and we pray to continue our streak in other tournaments to come,” he said.
The debate society has been invited to participate in the Liberian National Universities Debate Championship in August.
