…Prof. Gbamanja
August 18, 2016 By Joseph S. Margai
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Professor Sahr Gbamanja has stated that the institution was not meant for cultism, but rather an academic community.
He made the above statement on Tuesday at the Committee Room of the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal on Fourah Bay College campus, while addressing two students who excellently performed in an international debate and public speaking competition in Ghana.
Prof. Gbamanja said the excellent performance of the two contestants from the University of Sierra Leone- Julian Mary Gbloh and Patricia Koroma, has sent a signal to them that Fourah Bay College educated all of them.
“This is not the first time Fourah Bay College students have excelled in international competitions. In 2014, I personally took one Aruna Kallon to compete in a debate and public speaking. He came first in the public speaking competition and second in the overall debate competition. We have been supporting academic activities in this college and no to cultism,” he said.
He said the Sierra Leone Debating Council usually organizes inter-departmental debate in the college and that participants had been excelling, adding that the two ladies that won the competition in the Impact Africa International Debate Championship held last month in Ghana, had also won the inter-departmental debate prior to their participation in Ghana.
“We are also proud of Teddy Foday-Musa who actually coached the two ladies for the competition. Teddy has really represented Fourah Bay on two occasions in peace competitions -in the USA and he has won many awards. He will also prepare probably four students for another debate and public speaking competition in Zimbabwe this December,” he said.
He added that such was expected to take place in an academic community and not cultism, as perceived by many.
Teddy Foday-Musa thanked the Fourah Bay College administration for sponsoring the trip. He noted that the ladies were selected after they won the inter-departmental debate and public speaking competition organized by the Sierra Leone Debating Council.
He told Prof. Gbamanja that four countries including Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe participated in the award.
He disclosed that 38 contestants participated and that Julian Mary Gbloh took 6th position in the debate competition, while Patricia Koroma came first in the public speaking competition.
“I was also given an award as the best adjudicator because I was part of the judges in the competition. But I did not sit as a judge when the students from Sierra Leone were competing,” he disclosed.