The University of Cape Coast, (UCC), has emerged champions of the 2026 Inter-Tertiary Sociology and Anthropology Debate after narrowly defeating host institution, the University of Ghana, (UG), by 0.1 points.
The annual competition, organised by the Sociology Students’ Association of the University of Ghana, SOSA-UG, was held on Thursday, August 6, at the WACCBIP Auditorium.
This year’s debate centred on the motion, “The most suitable route to social transformation is multi-party democracy rather than authoritarianism.”
The University of Ghana argued in favour of the motion, while UCC opposed it.
At the end of the contest, UCC emerged winners with 77.9 points, while UG scored 77.8 points.
Speaking to Univers News after the competition, Patron of the UCC Debate Club, Dr. Francis Anokye, attributed the victory to thorough preparation.
He also said the competition provides students from different institutions with an opportunity to exchange ideas and develop skills that could prepare them for future leadership roles.
“The contestants did very well as compared to previous years. They were very on top of issues, but whatever it is, one school must win, and UCC won because we came prepared. Last year, we hosted it, so we thought we had won, but we couldn’t win. So this year, we were coming like wounded lions,” he said.
Dr. Anokye further stressed the importance of bringing students from different institutions together to share ideas and gain a better understanding of society.
“We are all training students to the social world, and we can’t be in isolation. Once in a while we meet, share ideas, we are all grooming future leaders. So it’s good we have interaction, and then the students too. If you understand society and the dynamics of how societies work, then it’s better for the future of the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Sociology, Professor Isaac Boafo, highlighted the importance of the competition, noting that it allows students to apply classroom knowledge while developing practical and professional skills.
“This is something that needs to be deepened. We need to encourage our students to participate in such events. Beyond it being a sociological exercise, it helps you to build your public speaking skills,” he said.
Professor Boafo also added that participating in such events helps students build confidence and develop their ability to engage meaningfully with others.
“It helps you to be able to interact meaningfully with others. So it helps you to be an all-round student. So it’s something that we should encourage our students to participate in when the opportunity comes and they shouldn’t shy away from such events,” he added.
The overall best debater, Arnold Frimpong Brenya of UCC, described the competition as a valuable learning experience and commended UG for putting up a strong challenge.
“First of all, such debates are actually avenues for us to learn. You don’t just get up and come and debate. You have to do investigations into the opponent’s side as well as yours. One thing I can say is that the University of Ghana gave us a good fight. The margin of just 0.1, it shows how tight it was,” he said.
Mr. Brenya, who is also the outgoing Debate Society President of the Sociology and Anthropology Students’ Association at the University of Cape Coast, SOASA, said the victory was particularly rewarding as he prepares to leave office.
“The experience was very nice. I’m happy I have been able to secure this trophy as the outgoing Debate Society President. Better luck to UG. They should keep up their good work. Hopefully it will come to them, but we’re not ready to release it.”
Some attendees who spoke to Univers News praised the quality of arguments presented by both institutions, describing the debate as insightful and engaging.
One attendee said the event was both educational and innovative.
“It was very educative and innovative. I learned a lot. It was very good.”
Another attendee, however, believed UG deserved to win despite acknowledging UCC’s performance.
“I do think that UG was supposed to win. I also think that UCC did well, but we did better. The motion was also favourable for us,” the attendee said.
A third attendee also praised both teams for their confidence and delivery but maintained that UG should have taken the trophy.
“It was a very insightful event and we learned a lot from both sides. They all had points that made a lot of sense, but all in all, I think UG should have taken the cup. It was a fun event, and I liked all the contestants, their courage, their confidence and the way they delivered everything. It was very nice.”
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom | univers.ug.edu.gh
