Activity Details

Public Speaking Competition Final

Public Speaking Competition Final Secondary school pupils reflect on the achievements and weaknesses of ECOWAS Having begun on 24 May, the public speaking competition reached its climax on 26 May in the conference room of Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of State attached to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad, with responsibility for regional cooperation, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, who presided over the opening ceremony of the competition in the presence of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Burkina Faso, Ambassador Tiéna Coulibaly. This ceremony took place against a dual backdrop: Africa Day, marking the 60th anniversary of the African Union, and the 48th anniversary of ECOWAS. According to the Minister, Africa is a continent facing enormous geopolitical challenges, including violent extremism and political crises. It is therefore important to join forces to find concerted solutions to development problems. Taking all sections of society into account is becoming a key principle. The aim of this public speaking initiative is to foster a spirit of competition amongst young people and encourage them to seek innovative solutions for the ECOWAS region. Furthermore, it aims to enable them to understand contemporary challenges, notably conflict prevention and management, integrated development, regional integration, and so on. All policies are subordinate to the establishment of a favourable climate and lasting peace. The Centre for Youth and Sports Development supports this initiative, which, beyond celebrating the African Union and ECOWAS, creates a platform for expression and exchange where young people can learn to speak in public and gain accurate information on regional policies. Involving young people means transforming the weapons that were once turned against African populations into beautiful national symphonies for peace and stability. For this final, the pupils’ presentations focused on three questions: 1. Does ECOWAS serve the people? 2. Is ECOWAS fulfilling its role in promoting peace and security? 3. Has ECOWAS succeeded in promoting entrepreneurship and job creation for young people? The final saw Notre Dame de l’Espérance Ave Maria Secondary School, the Saint Viateur School Group and Bambata Municipal Secondary School go head-to-head. Notre Dame de l’Espérance Ave Maria Secondary School impressed the jury with 80.37 out of 100 marks. The Saint Viateur School Group scored 76.87 out of 100, whilst Bambata Municipal Sixth Form College totalled 76.5 marks. The chair of the judging panel praised the standard of the debates. The awards ceremony will take place at a later date.