Ghana’s Brightest Minds Face Off: Afigyaman and OKESS Shine in Luv FM Debate
Ghana's Brightest Minds Face Off: Afigyaman and OKESS Shine in Luv FM Debate
In the high-stakes world of Ghanaian high school debate, two top-performing teams, Afigyaman SHS and OKESS (Osei Kyeretwie SHS), have secured places in the Round of 16 of the 2026 LUV FM Kel Charcoal Toothpaste High School Debate. The preliminary stage has come to an exciting close, with contrasting victories setting the tone for an even more competitive knockout phase.
Debutants Make a Statement
Afigyaman SHS edged fellow debutants New Edubiase SHS by just four points, while OKESS recorded a commanding victory over Oppon Memorial SHS (OMESS) at the Christian Service University. The final two contests on Friday produced one of the narrowest battles of the preliminary stage and an emphatic win, showcasing the impressive skills of Ghana's brightest young minds.
In Contest 9, Afigyaman SHS and New Edubiase SHS faced off on the motion: “Tablets supplied by the government to students in SHS should be withdrawn.” Afigyaman argued in the affirmative, questioning the priority given to tablets at a time when some students still face difficulties accessing basic materials such as textbooks. Despite the defeat, New Edubiase's strong score would prove crucial.
OKESS Secures Unanimous Victory
The final preliminary contest saw OKESS take on Oppon Memorial SHS on the motion: “The Concept of Free Speech is Dead on Arrival of a New Government.” OKESS argued in favour of the motion, contending that changes in government could introduce laws, policies, and regulations capable of affecting the practical exercise of free speech. OMESS, which opposed the motion, maintained that constitutional protections and existing laws guarantee freedom of expression and prevent a change of government from simply taking away that fundamental right. OKESS countered with practical examples of how government policies and regulations could influence the extent to which people exercise their freedom of speech. The school maintained its advantage through the final round of rebuttals to secure a 248–204 unanimous victory.
Highest-Scoring Non-Winning Schools Get a Second Chance
The competition's highest-scorer rule has handed two losing schools a second chance. Anglican SHS and New Edubiase SHS emerged as the two highest-scoring non-winning schools and have therefore qualified for the Round of 16. For New Edubiase, the qualification provides a welcome reprieve after its narrow defeat to Afigyaman. The school's 223 points were enough to keep its campaign alive despite failing to win the contest.
The Road Ahead
The knockout stage will demand more than strong arguments. Schools will need a combination of research, composure, rebuttal skills, and strategic thinking to survive. With the field narrowing, every point could prove decisive as the competition moves into its next chapter. The LUV FM Kel Charcoal Toothpaste High School Debate is sponsored by Kel Charcoal Toothpaste, Didi Shito, Bigoo, The Seed Travelz, Serpo Mystical Pen, Verna Mineral Water, Jackson University College, Tamak, St. Ben Jewellery, Otuasekan Community Bank, and New Generation Investment Services.
Source: Joy Online
