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Her Voice, Her Choice, Her Future: NGSDC 2025 Inspires a Generation
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Sixteen (16) senior high schools from across Ghana gathered at Accra Girls’ Senior High School for the official opening of the 2025 National Girls’ Speech and Debate Championship (NGSDC).
This is a nationwide initiative that is fast becoming one of the most transformative platforms for student expression, empowerment, and leadership.
Held under the theme “Her Voice, Her Choice, Her Future,” this year’s event opened with a passionate call to action from the Executive Director of NGSDC, Mrs. Dora Badu Owusu-Adomah, who urged young participants to take charge of their future by embracing purpose, kindness, and self-discipline.
Addressing a packed auditorium of students, teachers, judges, and dignitaries, the Executive Director reminded the audience that “your life is not a performance. It is a project. Build it with care.”
The opening ceremony featured remarks from Ms. Richlove Animah Berchie, representing the Honourable Minister for Education, and Dr. Osman Tahidu Damba, Secretary-General of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, both of whom emphasized the importance of creating platforms that uplift young girls and amplify their voices in national development.
A thought-provoking panel discussion titled “The Youth’s Future Conversation” brought together a diverse group of speakers including journalist Dep. Secretary General, Ghana Commission for UNESCO Dr. Nazia Ibrahim, Ayisha Yakubu, civic leader Mrs. Gifty M. Dumelo, and student debater Francisca Odoom of Gomoa SHTS.
Topics ranged from youth mindset and social media influence to responsibility, discipline, and the importance of finding purpose early in life.
The Executive Director also used the platform to address troubling trends such as bullying, peer pressure, and the rise of risky behaviours among students, cautioning those who tear others down with words or encourage irresponsible choices.
“True leadership lifts people higher; it doesn’t pull them into regret,” she said.
The Round of 16 kicked off immediately after the ceremony, featuring engaging speech presentations from all 16 participating schools.
Each presentation reflected the theme, showcasing the students’ passion, originality, and critical thinking on issues affecting girls and youth in Ghana today.
As the event progresses toward the finals, the NGSDC continues to position itself as a powerful force for change—not only by providing a stage for academic excellence, but also by mentoring a generation of girls to rise boldly and lead with purpose.
The NGSDC is powered by MerMac Productions a subsidiary of the Help A Girl Foundation in partnership with the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Commission for UNESCO, and several corporate and community sponsors such as MARGINS ID Group, CUPA Study International, Twellium Industries among others.
The event continues in the coming weeks with the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Grand Finale scheduled for July.
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Speaker of Parliament launches capacity building project in collaboration with World Bank and UK FCDO
The Parliament of Ghana took a significant step towards strengthening its legislative core as the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin officially launched a US$ 1,600.00 Million capacity-building project.
This initiative, developed through a partnership with the World Bank and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is designed to enhance the skills of Members of Parliament and their staff in areas of economic and financial governance.
At the launch, the Speaker expressed his gratitude to both organizations, emphasizing that this collaboration would reinforce Ghana’s democracy and support Parliament in fulfilling its constitutional mandate more effectively.
The project, entitled “Building the Capacity of Parliamentarians for Economic and Financial Governance,” was introduced by representatives from the World Bank and FCDO, who highlighted its importance in modernizing the legislative process.
The Speaker noted that the initiative would deepen existing partnerships between Ghana, the UK, and the international development community.
He underscored that a retooled Parliament would not only improve legislative efficiency but also help restore confidence in democratic governance and promote sound economic oversight.
In welcoming the project, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror outlined its potential to expand the engagement between Parliament and development partners.
He pointed out that by equipping Parliament with better tools and expertise, the institution would be more capable of discharging its legislative and oversight responsibilities benefiting the entire nation and its citizens.
Representatives from the UK, including Keith McMahon of FCDO and Ms. Michelle Keane of the World Bank, voiced the importance of continuous development in parliamentary procedures.
They emphasized that enhancing MPs’ understanding of legislative processes and financial management would foster greater accountability and transparency.
According to them, this would help combat corruption and ensure that public funds are managed prudently, aligning with Ghana’s sustainable development goals.
Leaders from both sides of the house, Mahama Ayariga and Alexander Afenyo-Markin, highlighted the importance of the initiative, describing it as both timely and impactful.
They called on committee leaders to assume full responsibility for the project and work steadfastly to ensure its successful rollout.
United in purpose, they expressed confidence that this effort would enhance Parliament’s efficiency and contribute significantly to Ghana’s broader development objectives.
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Court dismisses application by Ken Ofori-Atta to prevent OSP declaring him wanted
The Human Rights Court has dismissed an application by former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, who sought to prevent the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from declaring him wanted ahead of his scheduled appearance on June 2, 2025.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who is under multiple investigations by the OSP and other state agencies relating to his tenure in office, had asked the court to restrain the OSP from issuing a “wanted” notice and from circulating his image online.
He is currently the subject of an active Interpol Red Notice, and extradition proceedings have begun with the relevant authorities to secure his return to Ghana.
The dismissed application forms part of a series of civil suits he has filed against the OSP and the Republic, either to halt its operations or challenge the issuance of arrest warrants in the ongoing probes.
