Ghanaian blogger and humanitarian Kobby Kyei has urged parents to look beyond material provision and pay closer attention to the emotional welfare of young boys, warning that societal pressure to hide feelings can leave them struggling in silence according to a report by Pulse. Kyei stated that while providing food, clothing, and education is vital, emotional presence is equally critical in shaping healthy individuals.
Kobby Kyei Urges Parents to Prioritize Emotional Wellbeing of the Boy Child
According to Kyei, his advocacy campaign—named Boys Lives Matter—was established following repeated encounters with vulnerable boys facing challenges such as poverty, school dropout, streetism, child labor, physical and sexual abuse, broken family structures, and substance exposure. He noted that society frequently demands strength from boys without checking on their actual coping mechanisms.
What struck me was how often society expects boys to be strong without asking whether they are okay,
Kyei said, adding that many boys experience emotional neglect because they are taught from an early age not to cry, complain, or openly discuss their struggles.
Call for Government Partnership and Educational Reform
Expanding his outreach beyond media documentation, Kyei has called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to partner with his initiative to bridge the gap in child development programs. Speaking in an interview, he noted that child-focused initiatives often place an exclusive emphasis on girls, leaving boys with limited institutional support for issues like reproductive health and relationship responsibility.
Using teenage pregnancy education as an example, Kyei questioned why schools routinely assemble girls to warn them about risks while failing to educate the boys involved. He proposed that the Ministry collaborate with existing digital networks and youth initiatives to deploy professionals, including doctors and psychiatrists, to boys’ schools for structured guidance.
I have the numbers and the community, so if the Minister of Gender wants to create a programme to empower a boy child, my programme is there. You can’t do that alone, Kyei stated
The Shine Summit and Community Mentorship
The necessity of open dialogue and mentorship was further highlighted during the Shine Summit, organized by Kyei at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon. The event brought together students, change advocates, and prominent media personalities to discuss the psychological hurdles facing young males.
During the summit, renowned broadcaster Abeiku Santana stressed the importance of self-discovery and guidance, telling attendees that mentorship helps steer ambition and prevent failure. Other speakers, including podcast host Derrick Abayitey and entrepreneur Sonia Ibrahim, encouraged students to embrace personal development and express themselves without shame.
The summit also featured inspiring success stories, including that of Gabriel Bortey Naa, a final-year student at Ghanata Senior High School living with cerebral palsy. Supported by Kyei through the Boys Lives Matter initiative—which included a wheelchair donation and a documentary that raised over GH¢10,000 for his mother’s business—Gabriel shared how the intervention transformed his life.
Early Intervention and Long-Term Goals
Kyei maintains that systemic support must begin before problems escalate. He has called on schools to establish safe spaces for discussing bullying, abuse, and family issues, while urging communities to take an active stance against child exploitation.
 "Photo: Pulse")
The long-term vision for the Boys Lives Matter movement is to operate as a sustainable national platform that identifies vulnerable children early and connects them directly with educational opportunities, mentorship, and essential skills training.
