..Winner to Take Home Car in New Edition Focused on Natural Self-Expression
Evergreen Hive Limited has officially launched and unveiled contestants for the 2026 edition of its flagship children's talent development platform, Star Kids Africa, in Accra.
The launch, held to introduce the new batch of contestants to the public, brought together organizers, judges, parents and stakeholders in the creative and child development space.
Speaking at the event, Atta Akoto Senior, one of the judges for the competition, said the unveiling is to let the world know that Ghanaian children have a lot to offer.
"We are here to unveil this particular event, to let the whole world get to know about it, that Ghanaian children have got a lot to give. There are countless examples of children that have emerged through certain platforms, and we cannot leave it to just a few organizations doing that. Let us all join in one way or the other, so that we can help these children," he said.
Mr. Akoto described the day as wonderful in the lives of the children, as they are being given another opportunity to emerge, adding that this year's edition comes with an unprecedented prize.
"This round, there's something that we are giving that has never been given before – that whoever emerges as the winner amongst all of them in the finals will be given a wonderful prize, a car for that matter," he announced.
He explained that Star Kids Africa is built on the philosophy that children are the reason the world lives on, and must be nurtured, groomed and guided to replace the older generation.
"We are going to die, and we need replacement as such. People need to be nurtured and groomed. So we are saying that let us pick these children, help them to emerge in their own natural expression without forcing them. And through that, we are only going to guide them," he said.
According to him, when children's talents are harnessed, they can be used to solve societal problems and drive innovation to change the world.
Mr. Akoto recalled that two years ago, the competition focused on inculcating the spirit of agriculture in children to reverse the notion that farming as punishment in schools.
"Agriculture is never punishment... So we decided to reverse that particular analogy that has been built in these children, and so we are saying they need to be given the opportunity, they need to be shown and showcased," he said.
He emphasized the core principle of the platform – natural self-expression.
"In our case, it is in their natural self-expression, and that is to say that whoever that they are and whatsoever that is in them as their innate being, we can only be a guide. We can only help them emerge, advocate for them, and sometimes be their voice," he stressed, citing cases where children are unable to speak up about abuses.
"We are interested in building them, making them resourceful, and most importantly, nurturing them. We are never going to tell them what to do. We are just going to guide them to be who they are supposed to be, so that naturally, in their own self-expression, they become who they are meant to be."
On the structure of the competition, Mr. Akoto said the launch night was aimed at breaking the ice, as many contestants were coming to the capital for the first time.
He disclosed that the competition will run for 11 sessions on a weekly basis, starting with a grand opening tomorrow. While the opening will be live, subsequent sessions will be recorded and aired to help build the children's confidence through quality editing before the live finale.
"We are not ready to tame their spirits, but to make them shine," he said.
He urged contestants to see participation itself as a mark of excellence, noting that talent is divine and wealthy.
"It is clearly shown everywhere that people that are talented are wealthy people, and they make wealth without so much stress because talent comes from God. If we want to develop as a country, it's important for us to take notice of the fact that the creatives are the places we need to invest as much as possible," he said.
"Not every one of you will emerge as a winner. Certainly, it's going to be just one, and so it is important for us to realize that being here alone is enough statement that you are good."
Mr. Akoto assured contestants and parents of the judges' commitment to nurture them to emerge successfully.
The Star Kids Africa contest seeks to discover, nurture and showcase children's talents, giving them a platform to build confidence and use their innate abilities to innovate and impact society.
