The North America Chapter of the PRESEC-Legon Alumni has opened submissions for prospective entrants to the first edition of the Rev. Dr. ESM Markwei Young Authors’ Essay Contest.
The contest, named after Rev. Dr. ESM Markwei, CEO of Living Streams International, is currently open only to students of the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School with future plans of making it into a national competition.
Entrants for the award must submit a handwritten in English between 600 and 800 words on one of the two topics presented before the 30th of April 2022.
PRIZES:
Speaking at the launch of the first edition of the Rev. Dr. ESM Markwei ‘Young Authors’ Essay Contest, the Contents Team Representative of Odadee NA, Mr. Michael Thompson, said the goal of the competition is to encourage and hone the reading and writing capabilities of students while promoting ingenuity and healthy intellectual discourse.
Consequently, attractive prizes have been reserved for three ultimate winners; the first prize winner takes home GH¢2,000, a brand-new laptop, and a GH¢500 Mangoase Voucher.
The second and third prize winners take home a GH¢1,300 cash prize with a GH¢200 Mangoase Voucher and GH¢800 cash prize with a GH¢200 Mangoase Voucher, respectively.
Mr. Thompson explained that the topics were specifically chosen to reflect existing problems facing students globally, and ultimately to stir up creative ideas in participants towards addressing these challenges.
CHOICE OF TOPICS:
The Essay Contest presents entrants with two topics to choose from. Submissions must be between 600 and 800 words on one of the following topics:
“As the Head Prefect of the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, present an address to the Ghana Education Service on Covid-19 and the feasibility of virtual learning as a permanent alternative” or
“As a student columnist for the School Magazine, write an article explaining why experiential learning needs to be prioritized, especially in STEM education, to enhance our global competitiveness”.
Entrants must submit handwritten essays to designated executives of the school’s Writers’ and Debaters’ Club before the deadline date.
THE LAUNCH:
Present at the launch were the honoree Rev. Dr. ESM Markwei, the headmaster of PRESEC, Mr. David Odjidja, the Assistant Headmaster Mr. Ebo Sey, Head of Department of Languages Ms. Asumah, astute sports journalist and writer Gary Al Smith and Odadee North America Chapter Vice President Prince Nuamah.
Rev. Dr Markwei expressed gratitude to Odadee NA and recounted how he came to be an avid reader and a prolific writer with international bestsellers to inspire and expound on the benefits of writing. He pledged his unwavering support to the cause.
Mr. Gary Al Smith added his voice by applauding the creators of the essay contest, as he encouraged students to read material outside their study scope.