A 15-year-old Ghanaian based in the United Kingdom, Nana Yaw Oti Boateng, has been adjudged the Phenomenal Abrantie of the Year at the JSA Phenomenal Abrantie Academy Graduation.

The event was organised by Junior Shapers Africa (JSA); a leading non-profit personal development organization, championing the “Raising Boys Right” Advocacy in Africa through life coaching, talent development, and Godly counseling 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.

This is a 12-week virtual program to instil 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 program 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 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.

The boys were taken through three months of coaching and guidance to acquire personal values, and to enable them to set S.M.A.R.T goals for themselves.

It was also to assist them to cultivate the right attitude and mindset to help them attain their future ambitions as they grow up to become Phenomenal Gentlemen leading change in our society.

The JSA Star of the Year went to Papa Yaw Appietu Ankrah, 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.

The winner is expected to assist JSA in its advocacy projects for the less privileged in society and raise funds to support JSA’s social intervention project in Jamestown.

The Jamestown project aims at 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 and gender-based violence, and other social problems in the area.

He will also be assigned leadership roles and tasks at JSA programs to mentor younger boys, increase his capacity, and inspire him to give back to society.

Last year’s Phenomenal Abrantie of the Year Winner, Bryan Quansah participated in several JSA projects as part of his mandate.

He assisted in fundraising activities to raise money for JSA’s annual SDG 4 Project and embarked on the trip with the team to implement the project at Somnyamekodur D/A Basic School, Twifo-Hemang in the Central Region.

JSA Founding Director, Ethel Marfo, in her address, congratulated all the graduates 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.

While highlighting the five-year journey of JSA, and the impact made, the director urged all the boys to go out there and make a difference to further the impact and legacy of raising boys right.