The University of Ghana (UG) has made history by winning the 2025 Pan-African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC), held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This landmark victory marks the university’s first triumph in the competition, following strong performances in the 2019, 2021, and 2022 editions.
The Ghanaian team showcased exceptional skill, navigating nine gruelling preliminary rounds and three intense knockout stages to secure the coveted continental title. Their strategic arguments, eloquent delivery, and deep understanding of complex issues set them apart from their competitors.
Ghana’s dominance extended to the individual rankings, with four debaters placing among the top ten speakers in Africa: Joel Aboagye, who ranked 1st; Jedidiah Henaku Budu, who placed 4th; Ann Aseye Donya, who came 5th; and Andrew Kwasi Kattah, who was ranked the 10th best speaker.
The President of the Society and 10th-ranked speaker, Andrew Kwasi Kattah, described the victory in an interview with Univers News as both exciting and validating.
“This is not just an exciting victory; it is the culmination of years of hard work, sleepless nights, and an unshakeable belief in our collective ability,” Kattah stated.
He further reflected on the significance of winning the coveted trophy for the first time in the university’s history, noting that the achievement shows that with the right support, barriers can be overcome.
“To finally bring the PAUDC trophy home for the first time is a profound honour for every member of the team, our coaches, and the entire University of Ghana community. This win proves that with dedication and institutional support, Ghanaian debaters can compete and dominate on the continental stage. We are incredibly proud of this historic achievement, and we are already setting our sights on the Worlds Universities Debate Championship.”
A significant factor in the landmark victory was the strong institutional backing. The team was accompanied by the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, throughout the tournament and received a visit from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, right before the finals — a gesture that, according to the Coach of the Society, Elisha Owusu Akyaw, boosted the team’s morale.
“I’ve been around the debate society for a couple of years now, and the weight of their support was huge in a positive way. Having the registrar of the school go with you to a tournament, be with you from airports, watch the debate rounds — it was amazing. But I think the icing on the cake was the vice-chancellor meeting the team right before the debate and public speaking finals. It puts things into context and put the team in a position where we had only one assignment, and that was to win. We are really grateful for their support.”
The triumphant 13-member team has since returned to Accra and will immediately begin preparations for the highly competitive Worlds Universities Debate Championship.
This victory is a significant milestone for the University of Ghana Debate Society, reflecting the impact of committed coaching, strong institutional support, and rigorous preparation. It marks the beginning of even greater intellectual competitiveness for Ghana on the continental stage.
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Story by Nancy Kyeremeh | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
