Sports Dr, Angel Fm – Accra.
The Western North region of Ghana is brimming with talents in both the music and sports industries. However, despite the presence of exceptional individuals and teams, there has been a noticeable lack of formal recognition and honour for their achievements. This needs to change.
Over the past three years, we have witnessed numerous talents emerging from our region, making significant contributions to their respective fields.
In football, we have seen stars like Felix Kyei, the best goalkeeper in Ghana in 2023, and Frederick Kesse, the deputy captain of the Black Satellites. Kevin Nkrumah’s crucial assist led the national U20 team to victory in the African Games hosted in Ghana.
Other notable footballers include Barima Baah, Gideon Anaba, Lord Amoah, Bernard Kesse, and Awuah Dramani, all excelling in the Ghana Premier League. Mary Amponsah, the best female home-based player in 2023, is making waves with Ampem Darkoa Ladies.
In music, the rise of Kwesi Amewuga has taken many by surprise. His recognition on the national stage at the elite Ghana Music Awards, coupled with his award win, highlights his significant impact.
Mandem Yopic is also contributing to the industry, ensuring that Amewuga’s efforts are sustained and not forgotten.
Additionally, young talent Biskit from Sefwi Bekwai recently won Talented Kidz season 15 in grand style, demonstrating the potential of our youth.
Despite these achievements, we seem content with applauding these talents on WhatsApp platforms without taking concrete steps to honour them properly.
This approach leaves our talents feeling detached from their roots. It is essential to create award schemes that celebrate their accomplishments, making them feel appreciated and connected to their home region.
The success of our Ghana Most Beautiful Queens in recent years also calls for recognition. By honouring them, we can inspire and support others who aspire to compete at the top.
Reflecting on past talents like Charles Taylor, it is clear that without proper recognition and support, we fail to harness their potential for the benefit of future generations.
Current award schemes often seem to benefit only politicians and traditional leaders, who have little to lose. Instead, we should focus on recognizing the talents and acts that bring genuine value to our region. This shift will not only motivate our current talents but also encourage others to strive for excellence.
Honouring our talents will also have broader benefits. It will signal to Ghanaians and the world that Western North is a region rich in talents, thereby attracting investors and dispelling misconceptions that have hindered opportunities in the past.
There are undoubtedly many more talents in our region that I have not mentioned. It is time to start planning and implementing a robust system to recognize and celebrate all of them.
By doing so, we can ensure that our talents feel valued and motivated, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of Western North.
