NCCE CHAIR MARKS COMMONWEALTH DAY WITH A TERTIARY SCHOOL DEBATE AT THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF GHANA

Chairperson of NCCE, Ms Kathleen Addy recently chaired a debate to commemorate this year’s Commonwealth Day celebration. Chairperson of NCCE, Ms Kathleen Addy recently chaired a debate to commemorate this year’s Commonwealth Day celebration. The event was organized by the Parliament of Ghana in Accra. The topic of the debate was, “Is Ghana Prioritizing Inclusive Measures to Address the Impact of Climate Change for a Resilient Future?”. Participating schools were the University of Ghana (UG), Ho Technical University, and C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS). They debated for the motion. The University of Cape Coast (UCC), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and Zenith University College were against the motion. The event took place at the Parliament House.

Other panel members present were Mr William Oduro Apaw, Vice President, Youth in Focus, Nana Kwasi Kyei Gyan Apenteng, a Veteran journalist and Former Chairman of the National Media Commission, Ms Evelyn Brefo Boateng, the Clerk to the Finance Committee of Parliament and Okyeame Kwame Nsia Ampaw, a Highlife Artist and Climate Change Ambassador.

Other panel members present were Mr William Oduro Apaw (Vice President, Youth in Focus), Nana Kwasi Kyei Gyan Apenteng (Veteran journalist and ex-chairman of the National Media Commission), Ms Evelyn Brefo Boateng (Clerk to the Finance Committee of Parliament) and Okyeame Kwame Nsia Ampaw (Highlife Artise and Climate Change Ambassador).

Ms. Gloria Saku, Deputy Information Manager of Parliament, in her opening address, stressed the increasing inclusion of international youth parliaments in decision-making because the youth are tomorrow’s future leaders.

Two speakers represented each school with at least one female in each group. Some points raised targeted Climate Change Policies in Ghana, Environmental Pollution, Ghana’s Agrarian Economy, Climate Disaster Preparedness, and the benchmark/context for measuring Climate Change progress in Ghana.

The Hon. 1^st Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei Owusu, addressing the audience emphasised that our diversity is our greatest strength and wherever we live, we are united by the challenges we face.

The MP for Oforikrom and Chairman of the Environmental, Science and Technology Committee (Parliament), Hon. Emmanuel Marfo congratulated all the debaters. He urged them not to feel discouraged if they did not emerge winners and updated all participants that Ghana is currently hosting the International Climate Forum.

Okyeame Kwame also remarked on his contributions to the fight against Climate Change, which includes going vegan and seeking 200 high school students to join his train of climate advocacy by registering via his website. He also mentioned posting climate advocacy messages on his X (formerly Twitter) page. By this, he charged all participants to contribute in their way to helping to combat Climate Change for posterity.

UCC emerged the winner, with 812 points; followed by UG, with 736, and then Ho Technical University, 699. The first three leading schools were awarded trophies, cash prizes, and medals.

The congregation dispersed amidst loud cheers from the winning team.

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