The Dynamic Works Foundation, in partnership with the Star Ghana Foundation, has launched a youth development programme to provide talented adolescents and young people with opportunities to develop and showcase their potential.
The initiative, known as “Ababonnu Adom Akyɛdeɛ Mmerɛ,” is aimed at supporting young people through education, mentorship and empowerment to enable them to contribute to national development.
The programme was launched in Accra last Tuesday on the theme: “Awakening the Potential: Supporting Adolescents and Youth with Talent for Education, Empowerment and National Development.”
Nurturing young talent
Speaking at the launch, the Nkosuohemaa of Afigya-Kwabre in the Ashanti Region and Executive Director of the Obaapa Development Foundation, Nana Hemaa Awindor, said the initiative would provide a platform to address challenges confronting young people and issues relating to parenting.
“I see this as a television series. I see this as a social media outreach. I see it as a campaign. I see this as a platform that is not only to enhance the lives of our young ones but also to attempt to address issues about parenting and a whole lot,” she said.
She said the platform would provide opportunities for adolescents to be heard, entertained and mentored.
Nana Hemaa Awindor said young people who grew up without proper guidance, encouragement and positive role models could easily lose direction.
“We all have our potential. We all have our speciality, the dream and possibility. The potential alone is not enough. A talented child who is never encouraged may never discover how far the talent can take them,” she said.
She added that access to education, guidance and opportunities was necessary for young people to reach their full potential.
Recognising talent
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of the Dynamic Works Foundation, Gloria Cann, said the foundation sought to create a society in which every talented adolescent was recognised, nurtured and supported to contribute to national development.
She said the organisation would work with parents, caregivers, educators, counsellors, creative arts practitioners, communities and other stakeholders to empower talented adolescents.
Madam Cann said talent should not be regarded as a problem or distraction, stressing the need for society to better understand the needs and abilities of young people.
“We believe that talent should not be treated as a problem or a distraction. Sometimes what society describes as stubbornness, disobedience, or refusal to listen may be an indication that a young person needs understanding, guidance, patience, counselling and the right environment to express their potential,” she said.
She explained that the programme would create an environment in which talented young people could receive the needed support to develop their abilities.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Margaret Agyei expressed appreciation to the Dynamic Works Foundation and its partners for the initiative.
She encouraged talented adolescents and young people to take advantage of the programme and use the platform to develop their abilities and contribute to society.
