Entertainment of Saturday, 15 July 2017

Source: patrick oppong-sekyere mensah.

Nurture what nature gives: The plight of Ghanaian children

This young boy has been trending on social media play videoThis young boy has been trending on social media

Nature has blessed us with many things and it looks wonderful and beautiful, sometimes it appears to be beyond imagination and description.....we us humans marvel and scream upon some of them. We sometimes ask "how could that be possible?".

Nature is natural but it does not end there. Imagine pushing a corn into the earth and never attending to it hoping nature will take it cause. Yes, it will indeed take it cause, it will germinate but the test of time awaits it. It needs to be watered, pruning must be done to take away weeds and so on before it can do really well. It natural means will go on but without careful nurturing it is apparent it won't do so well.

We live in societies where many kids have got much talent ranging from A to Z. We sometimes see them exhibit it and we applaud and say nature God has blessed them but we forget one thing, what can we do to help them master and grow it. We forget without nurturing the talent it won't grow or be mastered.

In recent years we have seen kids showcase their talents on TV, social medias, etc but we should ask ourselves, after such great events what next? We have witnessed a popular TV show for kids over the years organized by TV3 known as "Talented Kidz".

Many who have been following do talk about the fact that we've great young talent. We see all kinds of performances from these kids and it is awesome. Example is DJ switch. A girl of her age with such talent needs a rapt attention. Consistency will take her far and that will be great.

These kids are never heard of when all these events end. Some years back we saw this kid called Tutulapato, he did great for a while after the event and went underground again. Apart from that, where are the many talents Talented Kidz helped us to know and cheer. Is it just about showcasing such talents for some weeks and we are done? The end of the events shouldn't be an end in itself but a beginning of an era in the life of this kids.

Talents are natural but must be nurtured with passion. Talent is just like a garden, if you want to see it green it must be natured. Daily pruning and watering to keep it fresh and green.

A friend sent me a video of this primary school boy whose name I know not. He was singing with a voice very melodious and the question which we kept asking ourselves is, who is going to coach such a boy and make sure he is the next big thing to make our music industry powerful. This boy does not need money but a coach who understands music and will help raise him to be a star.

He might look like a nobody today but he can be a great musician one day. Every professional must ask him or herself that should we be no more today who is going take after us? The late Dr. Myles Munroe reckoned that a leader prepares his successor before departure.

This is a plea to all and sundry. If you can be of help, look out for a kid with talent in your community or anywhere you come across one and mentor them directly. Have we thought of who will be the next Joe Mettle, Asamoah Gyan, Adjoa Bayor, Azuma Nelson, Mensa Otabil, Komla Dumor, Gifty Auntie, Majid Michel, Yvonne Nelson, etc.

Let's remember it is best to trim a tree or hedge right from it young stage than when is older. If you want to bend a plant it should be started at it infant stage if not when it grows it will be very difficult.



The call is on for the Ministry of Children and Women affairs, schools, churches, NGOs, Other Organizations, corporate bodies, individuals and all stakeholders of our motherland to help nurture a talent.

A talent nurtured today will be a superstar tomorrow. Never undermine any talent for nature has blessed us all with one and it takes nurture to turn it around for greatness.

Never say a child today is not your responsibility because Ubuntu of South Africa says "I am because you are, you're because I am. We are because you're and you're because we are".