Accra Girls SHS tops spoken word contest as programme expands

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

Accra Girls Senior High School emerged winner of the maiden Greater Accra edition of the ACE Spoken Word Contest after scoring 86 points in the grand finale held at the University of Ghana.

Ghana Christian International High School placed second with 85 points, while Forces Senior High Technical School and O’Reilly Senior High School scored 77 and 75 points respectively.

The 2026 competition, organised by ACE Consult in partnership with the U.S. Embassy, brought together students from senior high schools across the Greater Accra Region to compete in spoken word performances under the theme: “World Cup 2026: When the Whistle Blows, Borders Fade.”

The event forms part of efforts to promote critical thinking, creative writing, public speaking and leadership skills among young people while encouraging discussions around unity, inclusion and global citizenship through sport.

Acting Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy, Matthew Asada, said the Embassy was proud to partner ACE Consult to organise the inaugural Accra edition of the competition after three successful years in Kumasi.

He said the initiative had helped build the confidence of participating students and provided a platform for them to develop skills that would benefit them in their academic and professional lives.

Mr. Asada said the competition formed part of a broader series of programmes being implemented by the Embassy and its American Spaces network to mark the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to him, the Embassy has organised programmes on sports culture, arts, culinary exchanges, sports integrity and anti-trafficking awareness over the past year to deepen people-to-people ties and promote cultural exchange.

He noted that the World Cup theme chosen for this year’s contest reflected the power of sport to bring people together regardless of nationality or background.

“When the whistle blows, borders fade,” he said, explaining that football creates opportunities for people from different countries to unite around a common passion.

Mr. Asada also highlighted the educational opportunities available to participants, saying winners and contestants would have access to resources and guidance on higher education opportunities in the United States.

He praised Ghanaian students for their academic achievements, noting that the nation continues to rank among the leading African countries sending students to study in the United States.

Executive Director of ACE Consult, Marilyn Owusu, said the competition was created to empower young people to become critical thinkers, confident communicators and effective public speakers.

She explained that students were required to write and perform spoken word pieces, helping them develop creativity, analytical skills and self-confidence.

She said the competition started with 17 public senior high schools in Kumasi before expanding to 31 schools the following year. In 2026, a total of 46 schools registered to participate in the Ashanti Region edition, while 27 schools joined the contest in Greater Accra for the first time.

Mrs. Owusu described the expansion as evidence of growing interest among schools and students and expressed hope that the initiative would eventually become a national programme.

“If we get enough sponsorship, we hope to extend it to other regions because many of them are already asking to participate,” she said.

She added that the organisers were currently focusing on senior high schools but could consider extending the programme to other educational levels in future.

The ACE Spoken Word Contest is supported by the U.S. Embassy and implemented by ACE Consult through its educational and youth development programmes.

The programme seeks to equip young people with communication, leadership and critical-thinking skills while encouraging them to engage with national and global issues through creative expression.

Post Views: 51