The Central Regional Culture Coordinator, Wisdom Adomina, has emphasized the importance of balancing free expression with cultural values among students. He made these remarks at the 7th edition of the Central Regional National Public Speaking Competition for Senior High School students, held at Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School in Saltpond. Mr. Adomina stressed that while young people have the freedom to share their opinions on national issues, they should be mindful of cultural expectations and use appropriate language when addressing older people.
Mr. Adomina's comments come amid a public debate over freedom of expression and reports of arrests linked to public comments and activities. He encouraged students to learn how to communicate their views confidently while remaining conscious of Ghanaian cultural values. According to him, students should be aware of the type of language and words they use when engaging with elderly individuals in public discussions. This, he believes, is crucial in exercising their freedom of expression.
The Central Regional National Public Speaking Competition aims to improve public speaking skills among Senior High School students. Mr. Adomina expressed concern about the declining public-speaking and critical-thinking skills among young people, attributing this challenge partly to the increased reliance on social media. He noted that some students struggle to express their ideas clearly, think critically about national issues, and propose practical solutions to the country's challenges.
The competition, which had 12 participating schools, sought to strengthen students' critical-thinking abilities, improve their articulation, and build confidence in public communication. Mr. Adomina acknowledged organisational lapses in previous editions of the competition and called for greater stakeholder involvement in planning future events. He suggested that the Ghana Education Service and other relevant stakeholders should be involved from the planning stage to ensure clarity on their roles and effective contributions to the programme.
Three schools advanced to the next stage of the competition, with Swedru Senior High School, Assin Manso Senior High School, and St Gregory Catholic Senior High School emerging as winners in their respective contests. The competition was held to encourage students to participate in public-speaking events, build confidence, broaden their knowledge, and gain exposure to academic and career opportunities.
Winners of the competition shared their thoughts on the event and its impact on their lives. Emmanuella Ansongma Owusu of St Gregory Catholic Senior High School said her school was determined to give its best in the subsequent rounds. Samson Kofi Ofosu of Assin Manso Senior High School urged young people to take a more active role in national dialogue to draw attention to issues requiring government action.
The event concluded with a call for students to take an active role in preserving and promoting Ghanaian cultural values while exercising their freedom of expression. The Central Regional Culture Coordinator's remarks highlight the need for a balanced approach to free expression, one that takes into account the country's cultural heritage and values. Key stakeholders are expected to review and address the challenges identified during the competition ahead of subsequent editions.
Key points
- The Central Regional Culture Coordinator, Wisdom Adomina, has urged students to balance their freedom of expression with Ghanaian cultural values.
- The 7th edition of the Central Regional National Public Speaking Competition for Senior High School students was held at Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School in Saltpond.
- Three schools, including Swedru Senior High School, Assin Manso Senior High School, and St Gregory Catholic Senior High School, advanced to the next stage of the competition.
