The Ghana Education Service (GES), in partnership with Transforming, Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) and Speech Forces, has successfully hosted the grand finals of Speak Up 1.0, an interschool debate and public speaking competition, at the University of Ghana Business School.
The event, held on December 10, 2025, under the theme ‘Real Voices for Digital Safety,’ marked the climax of this year’s observance of the ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.’
Speak Up 1.0 brought together the six schools pioneering the Speech Club and Career Development Initiative, implemented under the auspices of the Ghana Education Service by T-TEL in collaboration with Speech Forces Organization: Accra Wesley Girls High School, Ashaiman Senior High School, Christian Methodist Senior High School, Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School, O’Reilly Senior High School, and Amasaman Senior High Technical School.
Following weeks of training and knockout rounds in debate and public speaking, the grand finals showcased impressive intellect and confidence from participants across all six schools. Students engaged topical motions on digital safety and online accountability, contributing to public discourse on creating safer digital spaces for all.
Ashaiman SHS emerged Debate Champions, with Ngleshie Amanfro SHS securing the 1st Runner-Up position. In the Public Speaking category, Accra Wesley Girls SHS won the Prepared Speech award, while Ngleshie Amanfro SHS claimed the top prize for Impromptu Speech.
Speaking at the event, the Language Coordinator of the Greater Accra Directorate of the Ghana Education Service, Mrs. Constance Baba Boateng, expressed GES’s commitment to supporting initiatives that “build confident, thoughtful, and responsible learners.”
She added that “we want our schools to be places where every learner feels safe, respected, and encouraged to express themselves” describing Speak Up 1.0 as a strategic intervention supporting the Service’s efforts to achieve that goal.
Representing T-TEL Executive Director Robin Todd, Aaron Akwaboah, T-TEL’s Advisor on School Guidance and Student Support, noted that the initiative is helping to shape the next generation of youth leaders. He highlighted the confidence and evidence-based discussions demonstrated by the contestants.
“The student-led panel was the highlight of the event. The panellists spoke with poise, confidence, and strong evidence. The question-and-answer session showed a high level of audience engagement and demonstrated that young people are committed to driving positive change,” he remarked.
This was followed by Marjorie Tackie, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Coordinator at T-TEL, who encouraged participants to take their digital health seriously and be mindful of the consequences of perpetuating harmful online habits.
Addressing the audience, Director of Programs at Speech Forces, Mr Isaac Nyamekye Boakye, noted that the initiative is helping to identify and nurture future leaders from groups that have received limited attention, despite their immense potential.
“By equipping these learners with critical skills in public speaking, logical reasoning, and teamwork, we are nurturing leadership among students who have not always had access to such opportunities,” he said, adding that Speech Forces aims to develop globally conscious and contributory citizens.
Beyond the competition, Speak Up 1.0 featured creative performances, media engagement, and youth-led panel discussions to take the advocacy beyond the auditorium. These elements amplified youth voices and highlighted the role of education, dialogue, and leadership in driving social change.
About T-TEL
Transforming Teaching, Education & Learning (T-TEL) is a Ghanaian not-for-profit organisation that provides technical support, research, and project management services to improve education outcomes, using local expertise to support the growth of Ghana’s education system.
About Speech Forces
Speech Forces is a youth-centred education and advocacy organization committed to equipping young people with the skills to think critically, communicate persuasively, and lead with impact. Through targeted training, competitive platforms, and meaningful community engagement, Speech Forces empowers learners to harness their voices, tackle pressing social issues, and emerge as transformative leaders of tomorrow.