Batman Samini Taking A Break?

British Council Ghana and Ghanaian hiplife artiste and MOBO Award winning performer; Samini (formerly known as 'Batman') have signed an agreement that engages the musician to be the national icon for Debate to Action (DTA).

DTA is a capacity-building 'training-of-trainers' project aimed at young leaders of youth organisations. The British Council and the World Bank have recruited highly-motivated part-time personnel to organise and carry out training of youth leaders on development issues and peer education techniques.

As the national icon for the programme, Samini will use his hiplife personality and profile to assist in projecting the DTA agenda and help in encouraging a good discussion about issues that affect the youth. In a statement Samini said "I am very excited about becoming a part of something that helps me fulfil my social responsibility as an artiste. I get the chance to share ideas with the youth, something I have always wanted to do but never had the right platform on which to do it".

Samini has always had a personal commitment to encourage young people to appreciate and participate in the development of their community, "I think Debate to Action gives me a chance to take a break from the plethora of activity that's come with being an artiste and spend time giving back to the society. It's also good for creativity and allows me to look back on what I have achieved so far in my personal and professional life."

"My message to other artistes out there is take a break! Use the time to do something positive for your community or something just different for a change; it will get the creative juices flowing!"

Samini was chosen out of a host of other celebrities as the national icon for Debate to Action Ghana because he is young; he identifies himself with young people and his music and personality appeal to a wide audience.

In his first appearance as the DTA national icon, on Saturday 25 November, Samini will attend a women's forum under the theme of 'Women empowerment and gender equality in Maamobi, Nima and Accra Newtown communities being organised by Avert foundation; a youth NGO. Samini will get the opportunity to join young people to engage the women of the community on issues of women and gender empowerment.

Following this on Thursday 30th November, Samini will travel to Abuja Nigeria for the national launch of the Debate of Action programme in Nigeria where he will meet up with DTA icons from the other 10 East and West African countries all taking part in the programme.

Source: British Council