The dream of 19 year old Harriet Ntiako to become a medical doctor and help reduce the country’s poor doctor-to-patient ratio, which stands at a staggering 1:1000 may be shattered, if the public does not come to her aid.
Ms Ntiako has gained admission into the the University of Ghana’s College of Sciences in the 2022/23 academic year to pursue a six year-full time course of study, that will lead to the award a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degrees.
She was offered the admission after having obtained A1in all subjects except English Language. She scored A1 in Social Studies, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science, Elective Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with B2 in English language.
Born to a Lotto Receiver and petty trader, Ms Ntiako’s brilliant academic performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) earned her the opportunity to pursue her secondary education at one of Ghana’s most prestigious schools, Wesley Girls’ Senior High, after scoring Grade ‘One’ in all eight subjects.
She is also a proud former student of All Saints Anglican School Junior High School, located at Adabraka.
Although young Ntiako’s sterling academic performance is worth celebrating, financial difficulties facing her parents might kill her ambition.
Her parents are unable to afford her medical school fees and expenses which are as follows; fees (GH¢8,400 for 1st year), hostel (GH¢6,600 per semester), books (GH¢2,000 per one textbook), 5 Laboratory apparels (GH¢2,000 per one) and others.
Therefore, in an academic year at Medical School, Ms Ntiako needs over GH¢20,000 to be able go through her education safely.
Meanwhile, the only financial door available to her, apart from parental support, is the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), which might not be able to provide her with the financial support she needs to complete Medical School.
In an interview, Michael Ntiako (father) told The Chronicle that he has done everything humanly possible to raise the amount, but things are just not falling in place.
Mr Ntiako said, as a father, he would have wished to provide Harriet with all her needs, but he simply cannot afford it.
He is, therefore, appealing to organizations, groups, associations, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists and individuals to help him support Harriet through her medical school.
Anyone interested to offer support for Harriet’s education should kindly contact The Chronicle on 0207692097.
