Holy Child SHS Advances to Finals of 2026 National Girls’ Speech and Debate Championship

Holy Child Senior High School has secured a place in the grand finale of the 2026 National Girls’ Speech and Debate Championship after an impressive performance in the semi-final stage held at the University of Ghana, Legon.

The championship, themed "Educate, Empower, Encourage," brought together female students from senior high schools across the country to debate pressing national issues while promoting leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking among young women.

The event began with an empowerment session featuring motivational messages from distinguished guests, including Managing Director of Gold Board Jewelry Limited, Gertrude MFA Donko, and Dr. Ajabing, who encouraged participants to strive for excellence and use their voices to create positive change.

In the first semi-final debate, St. Louis Senior High School defeated Asin Manso Senior High School on the motion, "Influencer culture among Ghanaian youth prioritises visibility over substance and value creation." St. Louis SHS recorded 258 points, while Asin Manso SHS scored 247 points.

The second semi-final saw Holy Child SHS compete against Gomoa Senior High Technical School on the motion, "Youth empowerment initiatives in Ghana are largely symbolic rather than impactful." Both schools displayed exceptional research, eloquence, and analytical skills before the panel of judges.

After deliberations, Holy Child SHS emerged victorious with a total score of 265 points, edging out Gomoa Senior High Technical School, which scored 256 points. Holy Child's performance earned scores of 91, 82, and 92 from the three judges, while Gomoa Senior High Technical School received 92, 78, and 86.

The judges commended the contestants for their confidence, articulation, and ability to engage meaningfully with complex national issues.

At the end of the competition, Holy Child SHS and St. Louis SHS were officially announced as finalists of the 2026 National Girls’ Speech and Debate Championship. The two schools are expected to battle for the title in the grand finale scheduled to take place in two weeks.

Their qualification marks another significant milestone in advancing female leadership and empowering young women to become active contributors to national development.