By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

After six weeks of high-stakes debate, intellectual rigor and empowering dialogue, the International College of Makeni has been crowned the champion of the 4th Edition of the National Debate Championship for Girls. The grand finale, hosted at the Sierra Palms Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, on Sunday, June 8th, marked the culmination of a nationwide competition aimed at elevating the voices of young women across Sierra Leone.

Organized by Chozen Generation Sierra Leone, in collaboration with The Marigold Initiative and supported by Meraki Analytics and Monime, this year’s championship brought together 48 girls from 24 secondary schools across the country. Participants engaged in the British Parliamentary debate format, tackling some of the most critical issues facing women and girls in contemporary Sierra Leone.

In the final round, International College of Makeni, representing the Government Bench, faced off against Methodist Girls High School, representing the Opposition, on the motion: “This House Would Fully Decriminalize Abortion in Sierra Leone as Proposed in the Original Safe Motherhood Bill (2024), Regardless of the Reason, up to 14 Weeks.”

Both teams displayed exceptional critical thinking, persuasive reasoning and articulate delivery. However, the judges awarded the top prize to International College of Makeni, citing their well-structured arguments, ethical clarity and strong engagement with the motion.

The winning school took home NLe 15,000, while the runner-up, Methodist Girls High School, received NLe 10,000. Individual accolades, including the prestigious Best Debater Award, were also presented to outstanding participants.

Delivering the keynote address was Madam Michala Mackay, a leading advocate for women’s leadership and digital transformation. In an emotionally charged speech, she encouraged the girls to embrace their voices, challenge stereotypes and believe in their capacity to lead.


"I look around this room and I see beautiful voices; voices that are refusing to be silenced,” she said. “Let us lift each other up instead of pulling each other down.”

The championship, themed: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,” was not just a debate tournament; it was a platform for advocacy, leadership and transformation. Since its inception in 2016 by Tracy Jac-During, Project Lead at Chozen Generation Sierra Leone, the event has evolved into a national movement. What started as a city-based competition has expanded to provincial hubs like Bo and Makeni, making it more inclusive and accessible.

“This competition is about far more than winning,” said Tracy Jac-During. “It’s about giving girls the confidence and tools to speak up, advocate and lead in their communities.”

Throughout the tournament, debaters engaged in workshops, mentorship programs and digital literacy sessions. Topics ranged from gender-based violence and education access to reproductive health and political representation; issues that remain central to the fight for gender equality in Sierra Leone.

A representative from the victorious International College of Makeni team expressed deep pride in their achievement. “This is a proud moment for us, not just for our school but for girls in the provinces,” she said. “We’ve shown that the power to lead and speak out isn’t limited to Freetown. This experience has changed us and it’s only the beginning.”

The National Debate Championship for Girls has emerged as a vital forum for shaping the next generation of female leaders. By promoting informed discourse, fostering mutual respect and encouraging youth-led advocacy, the competition continues to inspire a cultural shift toward greater inclusion, equity and empowerment for women and girls across Sierra Leone.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/international-college-of-makeni-crowned-champions-of-2025-national-debate-championship-for-girls/