When I was a child I had many dreams but the ultimate was to build a hospital. Children don’t think much about the practicalities of their dreams, you dream because it was possible and it is free. I always knew that i wanted to do something humanitarian at some point in my life.
When my father was alive I once told him that once he became chief I will help him to help his people. People who were close to me knew that I had always wanted to set up a charity to help the development of Africa. At one point I convinced myself that it was better to wait until I became successful before setting up a charity but fate would not have it be. I was initially thinking of naming it after my great grand father until the untimely death of my father Tse Ataa Oko Mensah.
My father’s death gave me a wake up call to act now rather than later. I had planned to set up a charity by the age of thirty but I doubt I would have achieved that if my father had not died after all I was the master of procrastination.
The phrase “life is really short” became too real and I knew that time indeed waits for no man. Why should I wait any longer before taking the action to realize my childhood dreams? No one knows what tomorrow brings or how long they have in the world? In 2006 I decided to register the charity in Ghana in my Fathers name with the help of my family. My father was supervising some of the local children with their education before his death on August 3rd 2005.
Through The Tse Ataa Mensah Foundation, I wish not only to keep the memory of my father alive but beyond that I wish to honor Africa and Far beyond that I hope to honor the great architect of our universe
I have always loved art, it was a natural gift and I made art right from my early years in Ghana West Africa. I loved art but I never wanted to be an artist, one reason where I come from being an artist is not something that is valued much. Every parent wanted their child to grow up doing something more academic. Secondly when I came to England at the age of 12 people in school used to say that artist only make money and became famous when they are dead.
Well whether I liked it or not I was an artist and it seems to be the only thing that I am truly good in. Although I was very passionate about art I began to recent it in my teens.
In time when I started getting really good comments from people other than those I knew, I soon began to realize that I had something special and I became more appreciative.
Through my art I was going to achieve my ultimate goal. I always believed that we here on this earth because we need to be here and we are all given something good that we can use to benefit others. Life is a journey. I do not exist only to pleasure myself but to learn and be helpful towards others when I can.
Ahinee
Thanks for your support Hope you will visit us again soon
Yours sincerely Naa Ahinee
