Minister OJ has noted that many strong communicators struggle with stammering.
Reflecting on his personal experience, the acclaimed singer-songwriter explained that his speech disorder pushed him toward extensive reading and writing, which in turn sharpened his thinking and writing skills.
“You end up reading widely and writing more, and soon you become a very good writer and sharp at thinking”. My difficulty with speaking made me focus more on reading and writing.”
Addressing the potential for improvement, the “Obi Nya Wo Aye” hitmaker remarked that stammering can lessen with time, and he suggested looking to YouTube for practical techniques to manage it, such as “relaxing and taking slow breaths.”
OJ also offered advice, saying, “With the small amount of air you can gather, try to speak more quickly, as dragging out words can cause the air to get stuck.” He emphasized that impatience can aggravate stammering, sometimes leading to frustrated hand gestures.
He encouraged those who interact with people who stammer to be patient and let them finish their sentences without interruption, as cutting them off can further frustrate them.
OJ also offered a hopeful perspective, suggesting that stammering might be a way for God to slow individuals down and encourage them to focus on reading and gaining knowledge. He mentioned that once stammering diminishes, these individuals might find themselves stronger mentally.
He pointed to former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, noting that despite his stammer, Kufuor became widely read and knowledgeable.