Accra Girls Senior High School emerged victorious in the Greater Accra edition of the ACE Spoken Word Competition, clinching the championship title after a thrilling display of creativity, eloquence, and critical thinking among participating schools.
The grand finale brought together some of the region’s most talented students, including contestants from Forces Senior High Technical School, O’Reilly Senior High School, and Ghana International School. Participants competed in three rounds of spoken-word performances centered on the theme “When the Whistle Blows, Borders Fade.”
The theme highlighted the essence of sports diplomacy, emphasizing that for 90 minutes on the football field, national, cultural, and geographical differences give way to unity under a common set of rules, where the best team ultimately prevails.
Presenting certificates and awards to the winners, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, commended the United States Embassy and ACE Consult for their vision, commitment, and investment in promoting youth development through the arts.
He proposed the institutionalization of the competition as a national programme, similar to Ghana’s highly acclaimed National Science and Maths Quiz.
“Just as we have the National Science and Maths Quiz, I would like us to adopt this Spoken Word Contest as a national competition. If the United States Embassy partners with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, we can elevate this initiative into a national annual event,” he stated.
The Minister pledged his support towards mobilizing resources and attracting corporate sponsorship to expand the competition across the country.
“I am prepared to do everything within my power to mobilize resources and secure corporate support to expand this competition nationwide. I look forward to seeing that become a reality,” he added.
Mr. Iddrisu noted that this year’s theme was both timely and relevant as the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
According to him, sports—particularly football—have a unique ability to unite people across nations, races, cultures, languages, and backgrounds.
“The theme challenges us to reflect on the truth that despite our differences, we are interconnected as one global community,” he said.
The Education Minister further stressed that talent exists in every part of Ghana and expressed hope that the competition would eventually be expanded to all sixteen regions, providing opportunities for young people from every district and community to showcase their abilities.
Speaking on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, Acting Public Affairs Officer Matthew Asada, expressed pride in the Embassy’s partnership with ACE Consult for the inaugural Accra edition of the competition.
“We have been organizing this competition in Kumasi for the past three years, but this is the first time we are bringing it to Accra. I am particularly excited because this year’s theme focuses on sports and sports diplomacy,” he said.
Mr. Asada observed that one of the programme’s most significant achievements has been the confidence it has instilled in participating students. He explained that the competition forms part of broader activities being undertaken by the U.S. Embassy in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to him, the Embassy has collaborated with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to support cultural performers, official delegations, and Ghanaian supporters preparing for the tournament.
Mr. Asada also disclosed that the United States has significantly expanded visa appointment availability for Ghanaians seeking to travel to the tournament through the FIFA Pass system.
“We have added tens of thousands of visa appointment slots to ensure that Ghanaians interested in travelling to the United States can attend visa interviews and participate in this global event,” he said.
Beyond the cash prizes awarded to winners, participants will gain access to educational opportunities and resources aimed at helping them explore higher education prospects in the United States.
The ACE Spoken Word Competition seeks to empower young people through public speaking, creativity, and artistic expression while promoting intercultural understanding and global citizenship through the unifying power of sports.
