Nana Yaw Oti Boateng, 15-year-old Ghanaian boy based in the United Kingdom was adjudged as the Phenomenal Abrantie of the Year at the JSA Phenomenal Abrantie Academy Graduation organized by Junior Shapers Africa (JSA).
The graduation event held virtually also coincided with the fifth anniversary celebration of the organization. JSA is the leading non-profit personal development organisation championing the ‘Raising Boys Right’ Advocacy in Africa through life coaching, talent development & Godly counselling sessions to address the silent struggles of African Boys.
Nana Yaw emerged tops out of a total of over 42 boys who participated in The JSA Phenomenal Abrantie (Gentleman) Academy: a 12-week virtual programme to instill values and mindset change in our young ones and to assist them set goals to achieve their purpose in life.
The JSA Phenomenal Abrantie Academy, was the first ever virtual programme borne out of an inability to meet physically due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and proved to be a phenomenal success with participation from African boys in Ghana, UK, US, and Thailand.
The inclusion of African boys from developed countries was a great exposure for the Ghanaian boys and a great opportunity for networking among boys from both sides to learn from each other and share experiences.
For three months, the boys were coached and guided to acquire personal values, set S.M.A.R.T goals for themselves, and also cultivate the right attitude and mindset to help them attain their future ambitions as they grow up to become phenomenal gentlemen leading change in society.
After 12 inspiring weeks of gaining knowledge on values and goals setting at the pre-teen and teen classes between June – August, all participants were celebrated for their hard work and Nana Yaw Oti Boateng was crowned the JSA Phenomenal Abrantie of the Year 2020 after a grueling contest where the Top 5 shortlisted participants defended their project work and were challenged to relate their acquired knowledge on goal setting and values to nation building.
Papa Yaw Appietu Ankrah was also adjudged the JSA Star of the Year for being the overall best performer in the Junior Division (Pre-Teen Class). Other participants were also acknowledged for their good work and tremendous effort throughout the Academy.
Inspired by the Akan word for Gentleman; “Abrantie” and paired with Phenomenal which means exceptional, a JSA Phenomenal Abrantie is an outstanding male figure who exhibits exceptional qualities of gentleman behaviour such as responsibility, integrity, purpose, self-awareness, confidence, respect for self & others, emotional stability, empathy and other good characteristics worthy of emulation and recognition. A JSA Phenomenal Abrantie is value driven and goal-oriented and possesses soft skills relevant for life including leadership.
Abrantie Nana Yaw exhibited these qualities and many more throughout the academy, and in his final assessment. He also showed thoroughness, confidence and focus in his verbal presentations to answer all the questions thrown to him by the judges during the graduation event. He will be an Ambassador of JSA for a period of one year.
During this period, he will assist JSA in its advocacy projects for the less privileged in society and raise funds to support JSA’s social intervention project in Jamestown of putting up a state of the art Resource Center and Shelter for slum boys in the area to address their silent struggles and create a safe space to empower them into responsible gentlemen to reduce crime, juvenile delinquency, sexual & gender based violence and other social problems in the area.
JSA Founding Director, Ethel Marfo in her address congratulated all those graduating for their immense commitment to the program to acquire these values and goal setting skills that will shape them up to become Phenomenal Gentlemen for their country and the world. She also highlighted the five-year journey of JSA and the impact made and urged all the boys to go out there and make a difference to further the impact and legacy of raising boys right.
Guest Speaker for the occasion Michael Adote of The Horesh Foundation shared an inspirational story with the boys and encouraged them to cultivate the right attitude in everything that they do. Some parents also shared their thoughts on the program and how their sons have been impacted by JSA.
Nana Yaw Oti Boateng is a Grade 11 student at Chigwell School, Essex – England born to Ghanaian parents Kwaku Addo Boateng and Mavis Oti Addo Boateng. He is a Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award Achiever and Society of Biology Challenge Silver Medalist. He was the first young Ghanaian cricketer selected to play for Essex and can play drums, violin and the keyboard.
Nana Yaw Oti Boateng, JSA Phenomenal Abrantie of the year 2020 winner
The graduation ceremony
