The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) and stakeholders in the creative industry need to set aside dedicated funding to mentor and coach young people in harnessing their talents alongside formal education.
This will help young people, who have ideas, develop and harness them into beneficial economic ventures even while in school and spare them the stress of sourcing funding to turn their dreams into viable ventures.
The Founder of a not-for-profit organisation, the Dynamic Works Foundation, Gloria Cann, who made the call, stressed the need for young people to pursue education alongside developing their talents.
“The creative industry should allocate funds for youngsters, not just for those already established. We have to encourage, promote and support them so they can balance their skills, talents and education,” she said.
She was speaking at the third edition of the foundation’s Adolescent Talent Summit to coach and mentor young people to discover and develop their potential.
Held on the theme: “Igniting the Adolescent’s 3Ps: Purpose, Potential, Power,” the summit was aimed at aligning young talents with education to prepare them for global relevance.
It brought together educators, policymakers and students, featured panel discussions and interactive group activities to help adolescents identify their strengths and chart productive paths for the future.
Ms Cann stressed the need for young people to pursue education alongside developing their talents, explaining that education serves as a solid foundation for success, even for those gifted in creative fields.
“Do not ignore your education or rely solely on your talent; find a balance between the two,” she advised the participants.
The Adolescent with Talent Summit continues to serve as a platform for nurturing creativity, inspiring purpose, and empowering Ghana’s next generation of leaders and innovators.
She said the foundation was deeply committed to supporting the education of the stakeholders it works with, helping individuals and communities acquire the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive.
“At Dynamic Works Foundation, creativity meets purpose, and every voice matters,” she stated.
Purpose
Delivering the keynote address, the Co-founder of Rescue and Peer Counselling, Rev. Dr Shine Ofori, underscored the importance of guiding young people to identify their purpose and use their talents responsibly.
She encouraged adolescents to turn their ideas into tools for transformation by engaging in peer counselling, creative clubs and positive school initiatives to shape their character and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Your potential is your power and your purpose.
But remember, when your purpose is mismanaged, potential can be misused or even become distracting.”
“In the school world, make a new paradigm of change.
Shine in the classroom and let your light shine through class and society by using your energy positively.
Nurture your talents. Influence your peers and make a lasting impact. You will be known for how you uplift others. This is real power,” she emphasised.
