Symphony of Speech, a unique public speaking contest that empowers young people with leadership and public speaking skills returns in June this year with a much more exciting edition.
The programme organized under the aegis of the Opunimagine Leadership Organization, is fast growing into a revolutionary platform that will transform impressionable young minds into visionaries.
Under the theme “The World as we know it” students from 16 selected schools in the Ashanti Region will debate thought provoking topics bordering on pertinent local and international issues.
Symphony of Speech introduces a distinctive approach to debating that emphasizes substance over style. It pits speakers against each other in a pound-for-pound manner, making it as entertaining as it is informative.
According to Co-founder and director of the non-profit organization, Nicholas Opuni Opoku, ” the unique features of Symphony of Speech make it a transformational experience for students.”
“Teachers also enjoy the opportunity the programme offers to engage their students in substantive discussions about contemporary national and international issues, beyond the confines of the curriculum,” he added.
The programme debuted in Kumasi in 2012 with eight of the top high schools in the Ashanti Region partcipating. In a high-stakes final event at the Engineering Auditorium of KNUST, Prempeh College emerged victors, with Yaa Asantewaa Girls SHS, Kumasi Academy, St. Louis SHS and Kumasi Anglican SHS falling in rank.
Isaac Opuni-Frimpong observes that ”This is not done as a mere show of linguistic prowess. It instills a life-long sense of purpose in both the speakers and their audience because the speakers learn how to passionately defend their beliefs, which is an indispensable ability in today’s fast times while the audience is also challenged to assess their own beliefs and take their own stand. ”
”At the end, everyone who takes part in the event; be it judge, observer or speaker, goes away better for it,” he added.
Organizers plan making the programme a national contest in the near future. This year’s edition is proudly supported by myJCR.com.
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