A 19-year-old Orphan who obtained 7As in 2022 West Africa Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has turned to hawking on the streets of Koforidua after failing to get financial support to further his education to the University.
Kofi-Boye Philip Tetteh, 19, lost his father whilst at Basic School at St. John Bosco R/C School in Koforidua, Eastern Regional capital.
Despite the struggles, he passed BECE and gained admission to pursue Science at St. Peters Senior High School in Kwahu Nkwatia in 2019.
Unfortunately, on August 23, 2022 five days for the commencement of the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Kofi-Boye Philip Tetteh lost her mother, a petty trader.
My mother passed on five days to the WASSCE that was on 23rd August 2022 we began the WASSCE on 29th August so when I heard the news I felt so bad but with the words of encouragement from our Head of Science Department Madam Teye she gave me encouragement and I was able to write the WASSCE”
Kofi-Boye Philip, however, endured the painful sudden death of his mother Kofi -Boye Grace who was 44 years to write the exams.
He passed with grade 7As with B in English Language.
Attached is his WASSCE Results
Philip’s step father, a painter could not help him financially to pursue his dream of Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University.
” I planned on going into Doctor of Pharmacy but due to financial constraints I was unable to apply for any of the universities” He told EIB-Networks’ Eastern Regional Correspondent, Kojo Ansah
When hope of furthering his education to the University hit a snag, Philip decided to write multiple job application to companies and schools for employment but yet to get favourable response.
He therefore goes to the roadside where her late mother used to hawk with others, to beg them for some anions and tomatoes to sell to make a living and save some monies for his education in future.
“I have applied for teaching positions but I haven’t gotten it yet. When I was in SHS I used to sell with my mother every vacation. When I was in JHS too every Saturday I will come to the market to help my mother sell the onion, and since she passed away I have nothing to do at home. I have applied for several jobs but I was unable to acquire the job positions so I took it upon myself to see the women around my mother so that they can go and buy the onion for me to sell it and make profit and give back their money.
The petty traders supporting Philip to make a living on the streets ,are worried that they are helpless to support the University education of the brilliant but needy orphan hence called on citizens of New Juaben to come to his aid.
Back to the rented house where Philip and his step father painter and five siblings stay ,the co-tenants are disturbed about his situation hence appealed to government and philanthropist to support him further his education to the University.
Ghana’s gross tertiary enrollment ratio is currently around 20 percent .This means, 80 percent of SHS graduates are unable to continue their education to tertiary due to multiple factors including the financial challenges Kofi-Boye Philip Tetteh is facing.
For now, Philip’s hope of pursuing Doctor of Pharmacy will depend on intervention by government or philanthropists.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
