Dr. Wemakor Leads Call to Empower Children’s Creativity at EARLYFEST 2025

Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, has urged parents, guardians, educators, sponsors, and community actors to support initiatives that nurture children’s talents from the earliest years, emphasizing that leadership, creativity, innovation, and excellence start in childhood—not adulthood.

Speaking at EARLYFEST 2025 on Saturday, November 22, at Efua Sutherland Children’s Park, Dr. Wemakor praised TERIA Foundation founder Mr. Walter Mawuli Gli as “the indefatigable backbone of this remarkable initiative whose commitment, consistency, and perseverance have transformed a simple idea into a movement touching hundreds of young lives.”

He highlighted the festival’s theme, “Discovering Gifts and Talents at Early Years,” noting its alignment with Ghana’s broader developmental agenda.

“Never underestimate the contribution of anyone—whether small, medium, or big. Every effort counts. Every idea has the potential to transform lives,” he said, appealing for continued support for EARLYFEST and reaffirming HRRG’s partnership with the initiative.

Also speaking at the event, US Marine Corps Ambassador for Ghana, Otumfuo Owusu Ntiamoah, encouraged students to embrace Ghanaian culture and heritage while pursuing their dreams.

“Let us embrace the richness of our heritage through education, music, and the vibrant tapestry of diverse traditions. May we wear our traditional cloths with pride, for they speak volumes about our identity and history,” he told attendees, urging young Ghanaians to remain rooted in their traditions.

EARLYFEST 2025 attracted over 2,000 children, parents, educators, and stakeholders.

The festival showcased young talent through choreography, poetry recitals, drama performances, Earlympics activities, talent exhibitions, and interactive learning corners, while thirty business vendors reported strong sales throughout the day.

Mrs. Mavis Leonards, CEO of Genescis and Executive Director of Mavis Inspires, highlighted the transformative power of early mentorship and called for greater government investment in programs identifying gifted children in arts, science, innovation, and leadership, stressing that nurturing talent from an early age shapes tomorrow’s innovators and leaders.

In her solidarity message, Janet Kwakye, President of Zoetexx Global, emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for children to grow and discover their talents, especially giving special attention to children with disabilities or special needs to ensure inclusivity.

A major highlight of the festival was the Africa Early Childhood Education Awards (AECEA) 2025, which recognizes exceptional educators, caregivers, institutions, and advocates advancing early childhood development across Africa.

This year’s honourees included:

• Mavis Palesa Fugah – Nursery Teacher of the Year, Ghana
• Gentile Mukandayisenga – Caregiver of the Year, Rwanda
• Laurel Adaletey – Best Teacher, Upper Primary, Ghana
• Mercy Karikari – Proprietress of the Year, Ghana
• Gregoire Rucamumihigo – Proprietor of the Year, Rwanda
• Mayllos Academy – Outstanding Innovation in Education, Rwanda
• Muna Kalati – Excellence in Digital Learning and Education, Ghana
• ADEPE – NGO of the Year, Rwanda

Special honours were presented to Peter Hillary Mainga (Kenya), Dr. Hamisi Babulsa (Kenya), David Lukoye (Kenya), and Iddrissa Bangura (Sierra Leone) for their contributions to children’s rights, early childhood development, and advocacy.

The festival concluded with a dance competition and sack race, where Geraldine Hannah Kankam of Mount Olives School, Achimota (Basic 2), emerged as the overall dance winner, while Hagar Mohammed Seidu, a JHS 3 student from SATOC Academy, placed second.

As EARLYFEST 2025 came to a close, stakeholders reiterated the importance of sustained support for children’s creativity, talent development, and inclusive learning, sending a unifying message: every child has a gift, and nurturing these talents from the earliest years is essential for Ghana’s cultural and educational development.