University (Katanga) hall defends KNUST local NUGS debates trophy

The University (Katanga) hall of KNUST last Saturday proved that it is a formidable hall to reckon with when it fiercely defended the KNUST local National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) debates trophy.
The well attended two days intellectual discourse saw all the six traditional halls including International Students participating at the Independence hall.
Residents of Katanga hall flooded the venue with their percussion instruments and ear-spluttering cannon firing from different angles amidst a heated “morale” stealing the show for the night.
Katangees greeted the news with a wild jubilation after Mr. Nana Akwasi Awuah, chairman of the three judges, declared the results pronouncing Katanga hall as winners of the debates.
The Katanga team was made up of Mr. Godwin Festival Boateng (principal speaker), Mr. Justice Boakye Appiah (first supporting speaker) and Mr. Onwonah-Owiredu Daniel (second supporting speaker).
Prior to this declaration, Katanga hall engaged Africa hall (Domites) in a debate, which Katangees did not take it lightly with the Domites, the only female hall, flooring them with 801 points against 766 points opposing the motion that “The involvement of the western societies on elections in the African continent really has a negative influence on the countries involved with close reference to Cote d’ivoire in their just ended elections.”
At the preliminary stages, Unity hall was paired with Independence hall in group A whiles University hall was pegged against Republic hall (Mongols).
Unity hall failed to gather their points to support the motion that ”The BECE has contributed to high dropout rates than cost of second cycle education” catapulting Independence hall into the semi-finals with 684 points win ahead of Unity hall of 624.
The University hall, the defending champions, booted Republic hall out of the competition supporting the motion that ”Academic qualification should be given priority in employing people as against experience” booking a place into the semi finals with 687 against 548 points.
In group B, the Domites were drawn against Queen Elizabeth II hall (Royals). The Royals were lost in the debate as their facts to support the motion that “Education is a privilege and not a fundamental human right for every child” were too weak to earn them a semi-finals place losing 611 points to the Domites, who pulled 648 points.
The Non-residential students, who failed to show up, gave the International Students a walk over into the semi-finals.
The semi-finals stages saw the lives of Katanga hall coming up against Independence hall in another fierce battle on the motion “The disintegration of civility in the behavior of students in higher education as a growing concern should be blamed entirely on the university authorities” giving Katanga 757 points against 736 points pushing them into the finals.
Also in the semi-finals, Africa hall silenced the International Students with 764 against 640 opposing the motion that “Academic dishonesty in its antiquity is tantamount to a day time bank robbery.”
The local NUGS president of KNUST, Mr. Osman Ayariga said the motive behind this competition is to sharpen the oratory skills of students and prepare the students for national and international competitions.
Mr. Justice Boakye Appiah, the first supporting speaker for Katanga hall was adjudged the best debater.
Mr. Frimpong Richard Kubadji, the Editor-in-Chief for Katanga hall in an interview said the win did not come as a surprise since Katanga hall is noted for chalking successes adding that the Hall has annexed the trophy for the fourth time in succession.
Africa hall’s Editor-in-Chief, Miss Ernestina Helen Bio, who was full of praise for her team, said she will re-strategize for the years to come.
Awards for the best debating hall and the best debater will be presented at the annual NUGS-Vice Chancellors’ Excellence Awards in mid February, 2011.

Bright Habita
Focus fm, KNUST