Founder of the Blooming Minds Initiative, Thelma Ofosu-Asamoah, has urged creatives to take initiative and stop relying solely on government support to grow the industry.
Speaking to Joy News at the 10th edition of the Blooming Minds Young Writers and Achievers Awards, held at the British Council in Accra, she said that while concerns about limited support continue to dominate conversations in the creative space, individuals must begin to create opportunities for themselves and others instead of relying on government intervention.
“Don’t wait for government. If you see something you can do, especially for children and creatives, start it,” she said.
The initiative marks 10 years of nurturing young talent through writing and the arts across Ghana and Nigeria.
“Ten Years Is A Journey. It’s Been Blood, Sweat And Tears Getting Here, But I Am Grateful,” she noted.
She explained that the focus of the programme goes beyond writing and awards, aiming instead at building creativity, confidence, and character development in children.
“The whole idea is not just to raise writers or artists. It’s to build skills that help children become better people in society,” she said.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the programme’s first book, featuring stories from ten young writers selected from Ghana and Nigeria.
“We took ten winners from Ghana and Nigeria and put their stories together in one book,” she explained.
Thelma also addressed the growing conversation around artificial intelligence, stressing that it cannot replace creative work.
She said while many fear its emergence, it should instead encourage young creatives to take their craft seriously, sharpen their skills and remain relevant, as originality and imagination remain central to creative work.
Participants who received awards expressed their excitement at the recognition.
The event featured art competitions, dance performances and other creative displays, reflecting the Blooming Minds initiative’s mission to nurture talent, build confidence and provide a platform for young creatives to express themselves.
