Academic excellence, as many would say, is more important than extracurricular activities. However, most of what shaped me in senior high school did not happen in a classroom. It happened in a small room with mismatched chairs, where a group of students gathered every week to write, speak, argue, and grow. We called it the Writers and Debaters Society, but it was so much more. It taught us how to think critically, speak boldly, and lead with confidence. And yet, clubs like these are still treated as afterthoughts, allowed to exist but rarely supported.
In many schools across Ghana, extracurricular clubs are given time slots and recognized by school leadership. Recognition and time alone are not enough. Without proper support in the form of resources, mentorship, access to competitions or even just encouragement, these clubs are left to struggle, run entirely by passionate students and overburdened teachers trying to do more with less.
As someone who now mentors young writers through initiatives like the Mentorship Tour, Speech Writing and Debate Bootcamp and Ink and Intellect Virtual Writing Class under my NGO, the Kwatia Literacy Guild, I have seen the transformative power of clubs firsthand. I have watched students who barely spoke in class find their voice through writing. I have seen debaters evolve into confident thinkers who now lead student councils and represent their schools nationally and internationally. These clubs are not just nice add-ons. They are spaces for growth, discovery and leadership building. They are doing more for student development than we often acknowledge.
The truth is, clubs like the Writers and Debaters are equipping students with lifelong skills that go far beyond the syllabus. Researching, formulating arguments, listening to opposing views, and expressing ideas clearly are not just academic tools. They are civic skills, workplace skills and life skills. This is exactly what SDG 4 (Quality Education) calls for. Education that goes beyond rote learning to promote critical thinking, creativity and effective communication. And by giving students platforms to engage with real issues, question systems and speak up for what is right, these clubs also advance SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). They nurture young people who understand justice, value dialogue, and are willing to participate in democratic life.
Disappointingly, these clubs are being held back by a lack of funding, limited teacher support, limited access to reading materials, lack of mentorship and a few opportunities to collaborate with other schools. Some clubs do not even have paper to print motions or prompts. Others want to participate in national and international competitions, but cannot afford transportation. When clubs are left to fend for themselves, we send a message that their growth and development matter less than exam scores.
When schools clubs are neglected or under-supported, students miss out on more than just fun activities, they miss out on the chance to grow into confident, well-rounded individuals. The classroom may teach formulas and facts but it’s often in clubs where students build real-world skills: confidence, teamwork, leadership, and communication. Without these opportunities, many students struggle to develop soft skills that are essential for success beyond exams. The gap becomes clear when you compare two students: one who actively engages in extracurricular clubs and the one who doesn’t. The first has likely learnt to speak up, solve problems, lead projects and think critically. The second one may excel academically but often lacks exposure to collaborative environment, civic engagements or the courage to express ideas publicly. Over time, these differences show up in interviews, internships, work and leadership roles.
If we want to raise a generation of changemakers, thinkers and responsible citizens, we must start investing in the very platforms that nurture those traits. Supporting clubs does not always mean big budgets; sometimes it just means providing books, inviting guest mentors, or simply creating a space for students to explore their interests meaningfully.
If you are a teacher, offer to be a patron to a club. If you are an alumnus, mentor a club, donate a book or sponsor a competition. If you are part of an NGO or youth group, partner with a school. And if you are a student, do not wait until you graduate to get involved. Take initiative, ask for support and be part of making your club better. School Clubs can shape the future. They help us build the kind of education and society, SDGs 4 and 16 dream of.
Let’s stop treating school clubs like side projects. They are some of the most important classrooms our education system has, and it is time we gave them the attention and support they deserve to thrive.
Written by
Emmanuella Kwatia
LLB Candidate, UPSA Law School,
Founder, Kwatia Literacy Guild
Email: [email protected]
