In
yet another display of academic excellence and oratorical brilliance, Debate
Gambia (DeGa) held its Masters Round Championship on Sunday June 10, at the
Faculty of Law Complex of the University of The Gambia.
The
event attracted students and dignitaries as well as sponsors.
This
year’s edition was held with the theme: “Significance of debate and public
speaking in making the New Gambia a reality.”
The
debate motion was: NAWEC should be privatised.
Debate
Gambia was an organisation established in 2014 with the aim of promoting debate
and public speaking.
The
president of the organisation, Omar Ceesay, said since its inception, they have
been involved in organising debates and debate related activities.
He
said the Masters Round Championship started last year with the aim of engaging
the tertiary institutions in The Gambia to talk about issues of national
concerns and also engage them in constructive dialogue through critical
thinking.
President
Ceesay lamented challenges of funding and called on the partners to support
debate as it is very crucial for national development.
Delivery
the Keynote speech, Jainaba Teeda Sarr, emphasized the need for debate in a bid
to build New Gambia.
She stated: “Let me first take this
opportunity to congratulate the members of Debate Gambia for creating this
important platform and for their tenacity in seeing it through year after year
despite the many challenges. I stand before you to make a case for debate and
public speaking in realising the New Gambia.”
In
doing, she added, she would like to begin with some historical backing by
citing strong evidence of debates as an integral part of traditional African
political systems.
She
further asserted that now more than ever before, the country need a leveled,
non-discriminatory public platform for self-expression and dialogue to shape
the nation’s future.
The
team that speaks against the motion “Cherno Gaye and Mariama Danso (UTG)” were
crowned champions.
At
the end of the contest, the winners were awarded trophies and other prizes.
Best
Debater Modou Lamin Jarjusey, 2nd best speaker Mariama Danso, 3rd best speaker
Cherno Gaye, most promising team (Jariga E. Gaye and Santigie Muhamed Kandeh),
most promising Debater Omar Camara, most disciplined debater Ebrima Jorbateh,
best adjudicator Fanta Fofana, most promising adjudicator Haddy Cham, and most
outstanding institutions are UTG and Gambia College.
The
main sponsors of the competition, former Presidential Affairs Minister and
Youth Empowerment Expert, Momodou Sabally, sponsored a special prize (trophy)
in honour of his late mother.
The Aja Kaddy Jammeh Prize for best female
debater, which was awarded to Mariama Danso.
Other
speakers at the event were Mustapha Kah, Founder of Debate Gambia, and former
Higher Education Minister Professor Aboubacarr Senghore.
