The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) Forensic Society will attempt to defend the titles it has won in the Open and Novice categories at the 2026 Ghana Universities Debate Championship (GUDC). The national competition will occur from 20 to 26 September 2026 at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, in the Western Region. Having won both of the competitions at GUDC 2025, UENR enters the tournament as the reigning national champions with the intention of keeping their titles and at the same time highlighting the university’s abilities in debating, public speaking and critical thinking.
Owiredu-Nyako to lead UENR delegation
The delegation from the UENR will be headed by Emmanuel Winfred Owiredu-Nyako, who is a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and is president of the Forensic Society. Owiredu-Nyako has taken part in a number of debating competitions prior to the national championship; among his recent accomplishments has been finishing in fifth place as a speaker and securing a finalist’s position at Pre-GUDC 2026, reaching the final of Empire IV 2026 and getting through to the quarter-finals of Pre-SAUDC 2026. As the preparations for the week-long competition move forward, he will be working with the Society’s executives, coaches and debate team.
The team is expected to get institutional support from the UENR Dean of Students’ Office and from the Society’s patron, Dr. Cosmas Rai Amenorvi. Dr. Amenorvi is a senior lecturer in the Department of Languages and German Studies at UENR’s School of Arts and Social Sciences and acts as vice hall master at University Hall II, which is also called the Falcons.
UENR’s debating record
The UENR Forensic Society takes part in debating, public speaking and intellectual outreach activities at the university, national and international levels. In addition to its double win at GUDC 2025, the Society received the award for Best Institution at Gold Coast IV in 2026 and was recognized as the second-best institution at the 2024 West Africa Universities Debate Championship. Other achievements reported include securing the public-speaking award at the 2021 Pan-African Universities Debate Championship and taking part in a public speaking event at the 2022 World Universities Debate Championship.
Zoe Lois Poku Owusu-Sekyere, who at that time was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, was awarded the title of Global Speaker in the public-speaking category at the 2022 world championship. The Society states that its programmes are designed to assist students in developing their communication, analytical and argumentative skills as well as in preparing them for leadership roles and for taking part in competitive intellectual activities. When the 2026 championship starts at UMaT on September 20, UENR will be playing against universities coming from all over Ghana.
By Bismark Ferkah | August 30, 2026
