The Debate Society of the University for Development Studies, UDS, made history as first timers at the just ended Pan-African Universities Debate Championship, by winning seven (7) medals in both Debate and Public Speaking categories, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Led by the Registrar, Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, the Director of Sports.  Mr. Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, and the Head of Department for Languages and Coordinator of the University Debate team, Dr. Jonas K. Fiadzawoo, the team presented their medals to the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan in his office.

The Director of Sports, Mr. Ibrahim Tanko intimated that 29 universities representing 16 countries in Africa participated at the championships. Out of this number, the University for Development Studies, one of Ghana’s representatives, won seven medals.

A member of the team, Ms. Ayisha Abdul-Somed won three medals in the competition; the 2nd Best Open Adjudicator of the Tournament in Africa, 5th Best Open Adjudicator of the Tournament in Africa, and 5th Best Public Speaker Award.

Master Ayindi Awedaga Mahadi also won two medals; the 8th Best Public Speaker Award, and 3rd Runner-Up Public Speaker award.

Mr. Yakubu Mohammed Sheriff, won the 10th Best Public Speaking Adjudicator Award, and while Mr. Musah Abdul Razak who also won the 5rd Runner-Up Public Speaker award.

In view of their performances, five (5) members of the UDS Debate team have been invited to participate in a debate tournament in Uganda, in February 2023.

Before participating at the Pan-African Debate Championship in Nairobi, the debate team for the University for Development Studies had emerged as one of the best in Ghana, after triumphing over teams from the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan, expressed his gratitude to the Debate team and the Sports Directorate for coaching the students to achieve such high laurels and projecting the image of the University. He added that, Management will continue to support the team with the necessary resources to achieve more for the university.

Story by:
Yussif Ismail (University Relations)