The 22nd Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF) is set to go beyond books this year, as four top senior high schools prepare to tackle some of Ghana’s most pressing socio-environmental issues through a thought-provoking inter-schools’ debate competition.
Organised under the theme “Inclusive Publishing, Celebrating Accessible Literature,” the 5th edition of the GPA–Afram Publications Inter-Schools’ Debate will see student teams from Tema, Okuapeman, Swedru, and Winneba Senior High Schools engage in a battle of wits from August 20–23, 2025, at the National Theatre in Accra.
But this year’s contest is about more than just eloquence—it’s a platform for student-led policy dialogue on national concerns including illegal mining, school indiscipline, and copyright enforcement.
Each participating school will field a five-member team, with preliminary debates grouped into two thematic categories. In Group A, Winneba SHS will go head-to-head with Swedru SHS on the hot-button issue of galamsey, debating whether its environmental devastation stems from policy failures. In Group B, Tema SHS and Okuapeman SHS will explore whether lapses in the curriculum are to blame for rising indiscipline in schools.
Winners of the two rounds will advance to the final showdown, debating a timely and industry-relevant motion: “The publishing industry has been adversely affected by the lack of copyright enforcement: Are authors and publishers deserving of copyright protection?”
This grand finale will echo one of the fair’s key messages—defending intellectual property rights as a pillar of inclusive publishing. Organisers quote South African thinker Dr. Gift Gugu Mona’s line, “God holds the copyright, as the sole author of life,” to drive home the cultural and moral significance of the issue.
Education Beyond Exams
According to Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, Board Chair of Afram Publications, the debate serves a deeper purpose: nurturing ethical, critically minded students who go beyond rote learning to actively engage in public discourse.
“This is about building responsible citizens who can think independently, speak confidently, and uphold values of fairness and intellectual curiosity,” she noted.
Managing Director of Afram Publications, Harriet Adelaide Tagoe, added that the chosen topics were directly linked to national development and would encourage students to think beyond their textbooks. “We want these students to leave this competition not just with prizes, but with perspectives that will shape how they lead and participate in society,” she said.
High Stakes, High Rewards
The stakes are high—finalists stand to win desktop computers, commemorative plaques, and slots in writing and reading development workshops. All participants will also receive books and educational materials to bolster their learning experience.
Organisers believe that the competition could spark a renewed culture of student debate across Ghana’s educational landscape. Mr. Asare Konadu Yamoah, Chairman of the GIBF Planning Committee and President of the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA), applauded Afram Publications for their continued sponsorship and urged schools to invest more in debate societies.
“This is not just an event; it’s a movement,” he stated. “Let this competition ignite school-wide conversations and inspire the next generation of thinkers, writers, and reformers.”
With the curtain set to rise in August, the GIBF debate promises to be a defining feature of the literary calendar—a blend of youthful energy, intellectual depth, and civic awareness.
