The Ghana Publishers Association and Afram Publications Ltd. have presented items worth GH¢50,000 to Tema Senior High School as their prize for winning the 5th Inter-School Debate organised as part of this year’s Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF).
A brief presentation ceremony took place on the school’s premises on 18th September, 2025.
The items included a plaque, one desktop computer and accessories, books, and Souvenirs (branded cups, book marks).
Tema Senior High School beat Winneba Senior High School in a thrilling finale of the contest held at the National Theatre on 20th August, 2025. Swedru Senior High School came third, while Okuapeman Senior High School placed fourth.
A representative of SIC Insurance Plc, Ms. Grace Obeng, who presented the prize encouraged the students to use the computer to research into topics that they would have to debate in the future.
“I am proud of the fact that it was an all-girls win. This is good for affirmative action. Continue to shine,” Ms Obeng advised the debaters.
The Managing Director of Afram Publications Ltd, Ms Harriet Adelaide Tagoe, said the presentation of the items was in fulfilment of a promise made on the day of the contest.
“We decided to meet you in your own environment and congratulate you once again. You did well. Be assured that some of the pointers you shared during the debate will be discussed with the necessary authorities for the needed actions to be taken,” she said.
Ms Tagoe announced that, “We’re also going to review the modalities for the debate as well as the criteria for selecting schools come next year, based on the comments and suggestions that have been made.”
The Executive Secretary of GPA, Benjamin Tawiah Klu, advised the students and schools to patronise books with local content, which promote Ghanaian culture.
Background
Representatives of Tema, Okuapeman, Swedru and Winneba Senior High schools took part in this year’s inter-school debate.
The team from Swedru SHS argued against the motion- The devastating effect of illegal mining (galamsey) on the environment is due to non-implementation of appropriate policies, whereas their counterparts from Winneba SHS will argued for the motion.
On the other hand, the debaters from Tema Senior High School and Okuapeman Senior High School, debated over what strategies could be used to deal with indiscipline in schools. They argued respectively, for and against the motion- Indiscipline in schools is a result of deficiencies in the school curriculum.
Subsequently, Tema SHS and Winneba SHS faced off over the motion; The publishing industry has been adversely affected by the lack of copyright enforcement: Are authors and publishers deserving of copyright protection?
At the end of the grueling session, the judges ruled in favour of Tema Senior High School.
The debaters from Temasco argued that copyright ensures that creators are duly compensated for their creative efforts, thus promoting a thriving creative industry.
In addition, the creative industries, with support from copyright protection, contribute meaningfully to the national economy.
Again, although copyright protects creators’ rights, it also aims to inspire artistic creativity in children and the youth.
Furthermore, copyright guarantees the continuous supply of educational materials.
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