MONROVIA – At a time Liberia is wrestling with how to fund higher education—while calls for free tuition collide with quality concerns—students at the University of Liberia’s Amos C. Sawyer College used competitive debate to test ideas in public. As THE ANALYST reports, the event was more than a contest: it signaled a campus push toward critical thinking, public speaking, and policy literacy, skills that often lag behind enrollment expansion.
Students of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Liberia have launched what organizers described as a landmark academic debate, providing a platform for critical thinking, public engagement, and communication skills around one of the country’s most contested education policy questions.
The debate, held Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Thelma E. Duncan Sawyer Faculty Lounge in Fendall, centered on the topic: “Should higher education learning be entirely free for all students, or be awarded by academic performance?”
The event was organized under the auspices of the Amos Sawyer College Student Association and the office of the Dean.
Five students from departments including Political Science, Demography, Social Work, and Sociology participated, with two debaters opposing the motion ultimately declared winners following approximately two hours of arguments and rebuttals.
The panel of judges was headed by Rev. Emmanuel D. Kollie, identified as chief moderator.
Organizers named the debaters as Abednego Seh, Victoria Diasay, Lassana F. Donzo, Brandalyn K. Y. Wollarh, and Dave Whapoe. The winning side received cash prizes and medals, while other participants received medals of participation.
The college leadership expressed appreciation to guests and panelists, including visitors identified as Jerome Gayman and Mr. Nagbe from the United States, and praised the student association leadership under Barnaba K. Tuopay for initiating the debate.
In remarks, Dean Prof. Dr. Josephus Moses Gray applauded the debaters, panelists, and audience, describing the event as aligned with the institution’s mission to prepare youth for future challenges and leadership.
The side of two debaters–Mr. Abednego Seh and Miss. Victoria Diasay–received a cash prize and medals, while the losing side of three persons, a female and two males–Mr. Lassana F. Donzo,
Miss. Brandalyn K. Y. Wollarh and Mr. Dave Whapoe received medals of participation.
Organizers said the debate team is expected to be formally presented during the University’s 105th graduation convocation.