Accra: The University of Ghana (UG) has been adjudged the winner of the Pan-African Shifting the Power Youth Debate, held in Accra on Monday. For their prizes, the participating teams were presented with trophies, medals, and other souvenirs.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was organized by the STAR-Ghana Foundation and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), bringing together young debaters from the UG, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi, and Copperbelt University, Zambia. The debate aimed to showcase innovative ideas on Africa's development.
The initiative, supported by Comic Relief and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK, is described as 'a continental platform for youth-led ideas, critical thinking, and transformative dialogue, designed to interrogate entrenched development systems, elevate local knowledge, and champion community-led solutions.'
The Shifting the Power Programme aims to invest up to £60m over ten years (2020-2030) to support the organizational strengthening and sustainability of locally led Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ghana, Zambia, and Malawi. During the debate, debaters explored pivotal themes such as gender justice, climate action, mental health, early childhood development, and democratic consolidation.
The final motion, 'This house would ban international NGOs from operating in developing countries unless they are fully locally led,' served as a tiebreaker between the top-scoring teams, UG and Copperbelt University, Zambia. The University of Ghana argued for the motion and won with a narrow margin.
Dr. Nana Asantewaa Afadzinu, the Executive Director of WACSI, emphasized the significance of youth-led development in Africa, highlighting the role of young people in driving change and shaping their narratives. She stressed that shifting power dynamics and centering African youth voices are essential.
Mr. Gideon Ahenkorah, Programme Communications at WACSI, narrated the journey of the Shifting Power Youth Debate, noting that it showcased the best of Africa's young talent. He described the stories of resilience and teamwork, from the nail-biting wins of teams in Malawi and Zambia to UG's dramatic finale victory.
According to Mr. Ahenkorah, African youth are taking charge of their narrative, leading with courage, creativity, and a vision for a brighter future. He emphasized that development is a participatory game, and young leaders are rewriting the rules.
Ms. Sarah Adjei, Projects Manager at STAR-Ghana Foundation, mentioned the successful delivery of a grand finale debate in the United Kingdom last year. She said the event demonstrated the power of civil society institutions to strengthen democratic culture and civic engagement among young citizens. The Pan-African edition of the debate culminated in February 2026, with the grand finale held on March 30, 2026, at Parliament House, Accra, Ghana.