Four African countries battle for this year Impact Africa international debate championship in Tamale
Tertiary Students from four African countries have arrived in Tamale for this year’s Impact Africa International Debate championship.
Participating countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone. Four universities from Nigeria, one from Zimbabwe and one from Sierra Leone. while the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Central University, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the Tamale Polytechnic are representing Ghana.
Each participating university is being represented by four students and one staff for a four-day academic exercise, which is taking place at the Tamale Polytechnic Engineering Block.The debate will take the form of the British parliamentary system.
Addressing students at the official opening ceremony of the debate, the Rector of Tamale Polytechnic, Professor Abdulai Salifu Asuro entreated the competing teams not to only win but also to foster friendships that will connect them as belonging to one Africa.
Professor Asuro assured the international students of his polytechnic support throughout their stay, adding that Ghana is peaceful so they should feel at home.
The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Impact Africa International, Prince Samuel told the participating students to have confidence that they are potential leaders in future.
Prince Samuel encouraged African students that the future of the continent remains in their hands and that the current youth cannot afford to fail their generation.
The Impact Africa International CEO explained that the purpose of the debate is to bring young leaders together, to exchange their cultures and shape their speaking skills as well as to groom the young to take up leadership on the continent.
It was founded in 2010 when the government of Italy selected youth from around the world for an international conference.
The youth, Mr Samuel explained at the conference was challenged after a declaration that participants get back to their continent and make impact no matter how little it will be in the lives of their people.
Since its formation, the organization has embarked on a charity cause and renovation of abandoned schools by governments as well as providing sandals for school.
“We were made to understand that the you need to become presidents or a minister before you can have an impact and that inspired them to engage African youth through debates and peace conferences through the various tertiary institutions,” Mr Samuel said.
The 2017 is expected to held in Bostwana in Southern Africa.