Day Four Debate Thrills: Opoku Ware and Konongo Odumase SHS Eliminate Rivals in Kumasi

OWASS and KOSS Dominate Day 4 of the Luv FM High School Debate

The preliminary stages of the 2026 Luv FM Kel-Charcoal Toothpaste High School Debate continue to deliver spectacular intellectual clashes, and Day 4 of the competition was certainly no exception. The stage was set for a battle of wits, eloquence, and profound logical reasoning as four prestigious institutions clashed for a chance to advance. By the end of the day's proceedings, Opoku Ware School (OWASS) and Konongo Odumase Senior High School (KOSS) had successfully secured their spots in the next round of the competition, leaving their opponents to bow out gracefully.

The decisive victories for both Opoku Ware School and Konongo Odumase SHS meant an untimely end to the campaigns of Afia Kobi Ampem Girls Senior High School and Kumasi Academy. The departing schools put up incredibly spirited performances, but the sheer argumentative force of the victors proved too overwhelming to overcome. The results from Day 4 add to a growing list of highly competitive matchups that have defined this year's edition of the debate.

Contest 7: The Royal Derby on Ghana's Justice System

The first matchup of the day, officially designated as Contest 7, featured a memorable showdown between two determined schools. Afia Kobi Ampem Girls SHS went head-to-head with Opoku Ware School in what was heavily anticipated as a "royal derby." The motion placed before the debaters was a matter of significant national importance: "Ghana's judicial system should prioritise restorative justice over punitive justice."

Afia Kobi Ampem Girls SHS was handed the responsibility of defending the motion. Taking the floor with confidence, their principal speaker argued passionately that restorative justice provides a far more humane framework for societal correction. The team focused their arguments on the treatment of individuals who commit minor offences. They asserted that locking up minor offenders in traditional prisons often causes severe psychological trauma.

Furthermore, the Afia Kobi Ampem team highlighted the long-term societal damage caused by the justice system. They argued that punitive measures permanently brand individuals with the stigmatising tag of being an "ex-convict." This label, they explained, severely limits future opportunities and prevents true rehabilitation, making a strong case for a restorative approach that seeks to heal rather than merely punish.

However, Opoku Ware School stood firm in their opposition, presenting a highly compelling and structured counter-argument. The OWASS debaters emphasised the absolute necessity of maintaining strict punitive measures, particularly when dealing with serious crimes. Their principal speaker powerfully articulated the risks associated with leniency, arguing that society simply cannot afford to have dangerous criminals freely walking the streets.

The Opoku Ware team effectively painted a picture of the fear, panic, and widespread insecurity that would engulf communities if severe offences, including acts of murder, were not met with equally severe punitive consequences. After an incredibly entertaining round filled with sharp counter-arguments and strategic concessional rebuttals, the judges reached a verdict.

Opoku Ware School emerged victorious by a unanimous decision from the judging panel. They secured a commanding victory by a massive 30-point margin, finishing with 233 points against Afia Kobi Ampem's 203 points. The undisputed result brought a definitive end to Afia Kobi Ampem's run in the competition.

"We do not fear whoever comes our way. Whoever our next opponents are, get ready for a show," declared an ecstatic Opoku Ware student, speaking to reporters about what the crucial victory meant to the student body.

Contest 8: Deconstructing the Ghana Beyond Aid Narrative

The second contest of the day embodied the fierce spirit of the competition. As the popular saying goes, in the arena of competition, the bold thrive and survive. Kumasi Academy took on Konongo Odumase SHS in an intriguing battle that featured two schools with commanding floor presence and a relentless approach to argumentation.

Contest 8 challenged the students with a highly provocative and politically sensitive motion: "Ghana Beyond Aid is a Fallacy." Kumasi Academy took the stage to defend the motion, while Konongo Odumase stood ready to oppose it and defend the feasibility of the national agenda. Without much delay, the battle of ideas was officially underway.

Kumasi Academy presented solid, well-researched points concerning the causalities that result from the public perception of the "Beyond Aid" agenda. They argued about the immense, and sometimes unrealistic, expectations placed on the nation's economic framework, attempting to dismantle the concept as a functional reality in contemporary times.

Konongo Odumase SHS, however, stood ready to call their opponents' bluff. The KOSS debaters presented highly logical points of their own, establishing a robust framework for why a self-reliant Ghana is not a fallacy but an achievable reality. More importantly, they effectively and systematically rebutted the core arguments presented by Kumasi Academy.

The atmosphere inside the auditorium grew increasingly tense as the contest progressed. Supporters from both educational institutions rallied loudly behind their respective orators, creating an electric environment. After a decisive round of rebuttals, the judges tallied the scores.

Konongo Odumase SHS ultimately sent the debaters of Kumasi Academy packing. KOSS secured the victory by a majority decision, winning with a final score of 231 to 213. The victory was celebrated wildly by the school's supporters.

"The determination of our school in this year's competition cannot be undermined by any spirit of failure," stated the President of the Writers and Debaters Society (WDS) of Konongo Odumase SHS, expressing immense pride in the debaters who had secured the crucial victory.

The Road to the Next Stage

From the sharp rebuttals to the final scorelines, the contests witnessed on Day 4 prove that the 2026 competition will only continue to intensify. The preliminary stages are providing audiences with some of the best intellectual battles between equally equipped schools in the region.

With these latest results, a total of eight schools have now officially punched their tickets into the next round of the prestigious tournament. Meanwhile, the four remaining schools in the preliminary bracket will be looking forward to surviving their respective contests on the final day of the preliminary stage.

As the high school debate moves forward, the stage is set for even more compelling arguments, fierce rebuttals, and unforgettable clashes between the eloquent voices of the participating schools. The students continue to demonstrate a deep understanding of complex national issues, proving the immense educational value of the platform.

The successful execution of the competition relies on the generous support of its corporate partners. The 2026 edition of the debate is proudly sponsored by a wide array of organisations, including:

• Kelcharcoal Toothpaste
• Didi Shito
• Bigoo
• The Seed Travelz
• Serpo Mystical Pen
• Verna Mineral Water
• Jackson University College
• Tamak
• St. Ben Jewellery
• Otuasekan Community Bank
• New Generation Investment Services

As the final preliminary day approaches, all eyes remain on the remaining schools vying for the last available slots in the next round of the Luv FM High School Debate.