Cornmill Operator’s Son Risks Dropping Out Of Medical School

A 20-year-old corn mill operator’s son, John Yao Avu risks dropping out of medical school after he was admitted as a fee-paying student at the University of Ghana.

The fee-paying amount in his first year was GHC 6,773. 00, which was paid for after he went cup in hand rallying friends and the benevolent support of old students of Keta Old Student Association.

“In my first year I stayed at the Pent hostel and got support from the UGSRC scholarship, that is how I survived”.

But in his second year of schooling, John Yao Avu has no guarantee of further financial support as his school fees has now increased to GHC8,890 excluding accommodation.

It means a dropout from school looms for the young man described as a prodigy.

His mother, a trader at the Aflao border is back home.

The land borders to Ghana have been closed as part of government measures to control the spread of coronavirus.

It means the little support she could offer her son through her trade would no longer be forthcoming.

It was a member of the Keta Old Student Association, Johnloko Acolatse who brought Avu’s plight to social media attention.

He said Avu’s parents barely survive on a day’s wage.

“His parents hardly make GHC500 a month especially now that his mother is home, it will be difficult, so we are trying to solicit for funds for him” he added.

But what his parents are not able to make financially, their son make up for the struggle academically.

“He was part of the 2019 National Science and Maths Quiz for Ketasco and performed outstandingly well. He was also Ketasco’s best graduating student scoring excellent 8As in all his subjects with aggregate 6,” he wrote in a post on Facebook soliciting help.

According to him, Avu was offered two admissions to the University of Ghana Medical School.

The first was on August,16,2019 where he was admitted as a regular student. Then within 24 hours, the offer was changed to fee-paying.

Anyone who wishes to support John Avu should reach out to him at 0550881072

Source: ghanareport