FIRST YEAR GIJ STUDENT-MAWUSE AGBOLOSU- CROWNED BEST AND YOUNGEST SPEAKER IN GHANA.

A first-year GIJ student, Agbolosu Mawuse Abla, has been adjudged Ghana’s youngest and Most compelling public speaker.

18-year old Mawuse was crowned as the ultimate winner of the 4th edition of the KasaNufo Public Speaking Training and Contest (KPSTC), organised by EKM Communications Consulting (EKMCC), last Saturday, the 30th of April, 2022, at the North Dzorwulu Campus of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) Mawuse attained this feat by making it through eight weeks of training and three rounds of stiff competition from 25 other contestants including entrepreneurs, ministers of the gospel and other students from other universities.

In the first round, dubbed Freestyle Speeches, contestants were tasked to speak on topics of their own choosing applying principles of public speaking they had learnt in the eights weeks of training. The round provoked a variety of creative and resplendent performances from the 26 shortlisted contestants, ranging from props usage on stage, slide presentation, panel discussions to even drama sketches. But only 11 would be allowed into the next round.

The contest got tougher in the second round. This time, the contestants were tasked to pick a topic from a ballot box and speak on it. The aim was to test how they respond to impromptu Speaking opportunities. Lined-up on stage, they delivered 3-minute speeches on various topics including politics, social issues, education and public speaking. Indeed the round tested the mettle of the contestants separating the good from the better. Five of them moved on to the final round.

In the last round, contestant were asked to make 1-minute speeches on an ultimate question posed by the judges. All five grand finalists answered the same question. Contestants were not allowed to hear answers given by other finalists. For this year, they were asked what they truly admired about Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

At the end of it all, Agbolosu Mawuse Abla, was crowned champion. With her calm demeanor, GIJ student, Eugenia Nana Opokua Twum-Ampofo, snatched the 1st runner-up position. Also a GIJ student and the contestant considered to be the most eloquent, Amoako Abigail Danso, came 2nd runner-up while, Esther Adwoa Gyanwah Karikari, another GIJ student who surprised us all with a drama sketch in the first round, chalked the 3rd runner-up spot. The only male in the top 5 and the only contestant who was yet to get into the university, Agyei-Gyebi Nana Dennis, came in the 4th runner-up position.

For her prize, Mawuse recieves a 1-year Mentorship from any mentor of her choosing, a 1-year Branding and Publishing deal from EKMCC, a plaque signifying her victory and products fron sponsors such as Benbi Hampers and the Institute for Digital Marketing and Communication (IDMC)

Founding Manager for EKMCC, Efo Korku Mawutor, expressed how proud he was of the contestants and their performances. He beamed with pride as he spoke of how far they have come. “I remember some of you couldn’t even string a sentence together under 30 seconds on the spot. But today you have amazed us with your performances”.

Communications Director for EKMCC, Sylvia Naadu Mensah, also congratulated the contestants for a good job done, stating, “Congratulations to you all! The improvement we’ve seen is enough. You’ve made us proud, each and everyone of you! And you’ve given us a reason to hold on to this and never stop!”.

The 2022 edition of the Kasanufo Public Speaking Training and Contest was organized with support from YMCA Ghana, Cheezzy Pizza, Benbi Hampers, Institute of Digital Marketing Communication, Ntem SMS, Els Dessert Bar, GIJ-SRC and Avance Media with media partnership from Asaase Radio, GhanaWeb, Sintim Media, Radio Univers, eanews24, Elikem Dialies, Infinity Pictures, Ama Sojay Photography, Optimum Lens, Blackcapture and bennews.

Source: Sintim Media