At Sogakope Senior High School, students from across the Volta Region took to the stage to debate some of the most pressing social issues facing young people today: drug abuse and mental health. The event was the regional stage of the National Public Speaking competition, where participants tackled topics ranging from drug prevention to the links between mental health neglect and future addiction.
The competition unfolded in three rounds, each focused on different aspects of substance abuse and its wider effects. The first contest asked whether a drug-free generation is a dream or a possibility, and whether early intervention is the missing link in drug prevention. Students argued over the feasibility of eradicating drug use among youth and the timing of preventive efforts.
In the second contest, the conversation shifted to how substance abuse contributes to school dropout rates and whether compulsory drug education should be considered a national investment. Contestants debated the impact of drugs on education and the role schools might play in stopping the cycle before it begins.
The final contest brought mental health into the spotlight, with topics like “Mental health neglect is creating addiction for tomorrow’s addicts” and “Drug prevention as a national development priority.” These discussions connected mental health issues with the risk of addiction, stressing the need for national focus on prevention.
After all the rounds, Awudome Senior High School, Dzodze Penyi Senior High School, and Keta Senior High Technical School emerged as the top schools to represent the Volta Region at the next stage of the competition.
Judges praised the students for their depth of thought and their ability to engage critically with such complex social problems. They also commended the organisers for creating a platform where young people can speak confidently on issues that affect them directly.
The event served as a reminder that addressing drug abuse and mental health among youth is not just a health issue but a matter that touches education, social stability, and national development. It also showed how public speaking can equip students with the knowledge and communication skills needed to participate in these conversations.
By focusing on clear, evidence-based arguments, the competition highlighted the role young people can play in shaping the future response to drug abuse. The voices from Sogakope are set to carry the concerns and ideas of the Volta Region forward in the national contest.
According to Joy Online.
