Abeiku Santana calls for mentorship of young creatives at Pete Edochie Legacy Gala

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Santana, has called for greater mentorship and support for young creatives, saying the next generation must be given the opportunity to learn from the experiences of established legends.

Speaking at the Pete Edochie Legacy Project Gala Night on Sunday, October 4, 2026, Abeiku Santana said young creatives should not only be discovered and celebrated but must also be deliberately mentored, supported and equipped to build sustainable careers.

He said the presence of legendary figures such as veteran Nigerian actor Chief Pete Edochie provides an opportunity for younger generations to learn from those who have already travelled the path they aspire to follow.

“Our young creatives must not only be discovered and celebrated; they must be mentored. That is why, as we have all the legends, we must allow ourselves to go through the journey of life that they have been through,” Abeiku Santana said.

He drew on the popular saying, “If I can see from afar, it is because I stood on the shoulders of a giant,” to emphasise the importance of intergenerational mentorship.

According to him, young creatives need more than recognition. They require mentorship, support, protection, skills and networks that can help them transform their creative talents into sustainable careers and enterprises.

“The young creatives need to be mentored, supported, protected and equipped with skills and networks to be able to build sustainable careers and enterprises,” he said.

Abeiku Santana described the gala as more than an entertainment event, saying it was an opportunity to celebrate the life, contribution and enduring influence of Chief Pete Edochie while encouraging younger generations to carry forward the values and knowledge of those who came before them.

He said the evening was fundamentally about legacy, mentorship, culture and continuity.

Reflecting on the theme of the event, “Celebrating the African Legend: The Lion That Needs Not to Roar,” Santana said the description aptly captured Edochie’s stature and influence.

He noted that a lion does not need to constantly demonstrate its strength or raise its voice for its presence to be felt, arguing that Chief Pete Edochie’s decades of work have already established his place as an influential figure in African culture and entertainment.

“We are celebrating more than an actor. We are celebrating a cultural asset and a legacy that has value for African culture,” he said.

Abeiku Santana used the occasion to honour the veteran actor directly, declaring that Edochie’s contribution had already spoken loudly through the generations he has influenced.

“We honour you, Chief. Your legacy has already spoken loud,” he said.

The Pete Edochie Legacy Project Gala Night marked the official launch of the Pete Edochie Legacy Project, an initiative dedicated to celebrating the remarkable legacy and contribution of the legendary actor.

The event brought together personalities from the creative industry and other sectors to honour Edochie’s contribution to African film, culture and storytelling, while also highlighting the need to ensure that the knowledge and experience of Africa’s creative pioneers are passed on to the next generation.

For Abeiku Santana, the celebration of Edochie’s legacy should therefore serve not only as an occasion to honour the past, but also as a call to invest in the future of African creativity.