Two drug addicts, Larbi Appiah Benjamin, 30, and Joshua Ohene Arjarquah, 32, have taken advantage of Government’s Free Senior High Education policy to return to the classroom.
The duo who used to be taxi drivers were notorious for smoking of marijuana, abuse of Tramadol and alcohol in Mfranor a community in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern region where they lived.
But with the introduction of Free SHS, the two young men decided to quit their drug addiction to re-sit the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
They both passed the BECE are currently enrolled as First Year students at Anum Apapam Community Day Senior High School.
According to them, their hope of continuing their education after Junior High School some 15 years ago was dashed as a result of poverty. They therefore migrated from their Mfranor Community in the Ayensuano District to the National Capital to hustle.
Unfortunately they were lured into smoking of marijuana, abuse of tramadol and alcohol which they became addicted to.
“We were addicted to smoking wee, tramol and drinking alcohol but now by the grace of God and Nana Kwasi Sarfo, we have stopped and now in School.”
But with the introduction of the Free Senior High School Policy, Larbi Appiah Benjamin and Joshua Ohene Arjarquah decided to take advantage to realize their academic dreams.
“We are very happy for government’s Free SHS Program we thank President Akufo-Addo for his vision. We want to be in the Army.”
Currently they are pursuing Agricultural Science and General Arts.
“The teachers are even happy with our performance, we are able to do the calculation subject and reading subject. We are able to answer questions verbally.”
Joseph Kwasi Amoani Sarfo a popular herbalist who rehabilitated Appiah Benjamin and his friend, Ohene Arjarquah from their drug addiction and providing support for them told Starr News’ Eastern Regional Correspondent, Kojo Ansah that, “he was motivated to support the duo after he realized they were ready to quit and go to school.”
He said, due to their drug addiction, their family members disowned them hence he is sheltering and taking care of them in School.
Appiah Benjamin, is a father to an 8-year-old class three pupil returns to farm after school to labor for his family to enable him take care of his child.
The PTA Chairman for Anum Apapam community Day SHS charged other drug addicts in the area to emulate the exemplary steps taken by Appiah Benjamin and Ohene Arjarquah.
He, however, appealed to philanthropists to support the two to achieve their dreams.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
