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My motivation was to achieve the best results – Overall Best Graduating Student
● Ms. Abigail Nyamekye
You can get what you want if you really work hard towards it. These are the motivational words of Miss Abigail Nyamekye Hagan, a 22-year-old lady who emerged the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Faculty of Management Studies of the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) on September 8, 2022.
With a First Class Honours in Bachelor of Business Administration, she earned a final cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.72.
The name Abigail, means “father’s joy” and that was exactly the feeling Mr. Ernest Hagan, an Operations Manager, had on that day when the gathering gave his daughter a thunderous applause.
In an interview with The Spectator last Saturday, Miss Nyamekye described the feeling of coming out with flying colours as overwhelming and exciting, adding that it was “a great achievement.”
She said her motivation throughout her schooling was to “achieve the best results.”
The product of Pentecost Preparatory School at Madina continued her education at the Ghana National College where she studied Business and gained admission to further her education in Business Administration at the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA).
Miss Hagan said she was determined to make a statement that every girl-child should be given an opportunity to go to school and, therefore, encouraged all parents to support their children.
She said that, going to lectures from home was quite challenging, coupled with sleepless nights, putting time and effort into ensuring that she met deadlines for assignments among others, had paid off to be the best of 1,121 graduating students.
Miss Abigail Nyamekye Hagan as her middle name suggests is a gift from God and as James 1 verse 17 says, “every good and perfect gift is from above.”
It was not surprising that she exhibited virtues such as discipline, integrity, perseverance and tenacity to help her achieve her goals.
The Valedictorian stressed the need for the graduating students to be focused as they ventured into the world.
With a grateful heart, she commended parents who invested in their children’s education and applauded lecturers and all those whose role had in one way or the other impacted positively on their lives.
The next time you see Abigail, she is likely to be doing her Master’s Degree in Project Management because that is her aspiration.
Her hobbies are learning about new things and watching movies.
Mr. Ernest Hagan also told The Spectator that as a parent, he felt very excited and proud of her daughter’s success.
“It is not easy to achieve such an accomplishment yet she persevered and now, her efforts have been recognised as the best student,” he said.
He said as a father, he treated all his three children comprising two daughters and a son equally by giving them the opportunity to get higher education.
“I think the education of girls should be given same priority as boys. This is because as Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey said, if you educate a boy, you educate an individual but if you educate a girl, you educate a nation and I am a strong advocate of this quote,” he said.
The Operations Manager recalled how he sometimes took loans to pay his children’s school fees and confidently said that it was worth it because at the end of the day, their future was secured.
He said every parent should have confidence in their daughters and give them whatever support they needed to be the best among the rest. He expressed appreciation to God for making everything possible.
As the late former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world ” and so for Mr. Hagan, every parent must do his or her best to give his or her child that weapon.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
Profile
Prisca Abah: Ghana’s modelling powerhouse
Ghanaian model, philanthropist and advocate, Prisca Abah, who is known for her contributions to the fashion industry, is strutting her stuff on higher levels.
She was recently selected as one of the models for the Big8 Girls Project, an initiative by Clinton Samuel to celebrate influential African models.
The project consisted of three episodes: the Bio Shoot which highlighted Abah’s professionalism through a corporate-themed photoshoot; Afrodeity which focused on showcasing her confidence and artistry, celebrating the African divine feminine and royalty which presented Abah as a symbol of African cultural pride, embodying strength and elegance.
The Big8 concept, produced by Clinton Samuel, intentionally highlights and celebrates the strongest and most influential models on the African continent, congratulating their steadfastness and contributions to the African fashion industry, even as they grind and win in other aspects of life.
The Big8 sets hierarchy and high standards in the African fashion and modelling industry, crowning eight of them with the ‘Top Model’ status as the leading female models in Ghana at the moment.
“Working with these fiery women will surely ignite more creative minds and stir the pot of positive competition,” said Clinton.
Abah’s early life and career
Prisca Abah began her modelling career in 2013, achieving her first notable milestone in 2014 with an editorial shoot for 5-Star International Modelling Agency. In 2015, she made her runway debut at the Ghana Fashion Awards.
From 2016 to 2018, Abah participated in major African fashion events such as Glitz Africa Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Johannesburg, and Rhythms on the Runway.
During this period, she received accolades, including the “Best Female Model of the Year” and spoke as a UN Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 12 at the Sustainable Rice Platform Conference.
International recognition and pageantry
In 2022, Abah expanded her reach by entering the pageantry world. She placed as the first runner- up at the Beauty of Africa International Pageant and represented Ghana at the Miss Globe World Finals, where she earned the title of Miss Globe Africa 2022.
Philanthropy
Abah founded the Palins Foundation, a non-profit organisation, aimed at empowering women and youth through initiatives in education, skills training, and personal development.
Awards and collaborations
In 2023, Abah received the Best Model of the Year award at the Time Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards. She has collaborated with leading designers such as Charlotte Prive and Ejiro Amos Tafiri, further solidifying her influence in African fashion.
Legacy
Prisca Abah is recognised not only for her contributions to the fashion industry but also for her philanthropic efforts. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young Africans, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while giving back to society.
By Edem Mensah Tsortorme
Profile
Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana’s first deaf Lawyer
In a landmark moment for Ghana’s legal landscape, Juventus Duorinaah Esq., has etched his name in history as the country’s first lawyer with a hearing impairment.
His journey from a humble background to breaking barriers in the legal profession serves as a powerful inspiration for countless individuals in the disability community, proving that determination and resilience can defy societal expectations and create pathways to success.
For Juventus, the recognition as Ghana’s first deaf lawyer feels surreal.
“It feels like a dream,” he reflects, acknowledging the stereotypes surrounding deafness and the humble background from which he hails.
Juventus’ passion for law sparked in 2008 while seeking admission to the University of Ghana (UG). Although he initially faced challenges due to the nature of the application process, the help of his older brother and his determined spirit led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012, followed by a Master of Laws at Cardiff University in 2014.
His passion for the study of law became highly intense when he had to study alongside qualified lawyers from several jurisdictions, even though he did not have a legal background. Here, he faced the unique challenge of studying without sign language interpreters, relying instead on a palantypist to transcribe lectures.
Juventus’ role model was his professor and mentor, Professor Luke Clement, who profoundly inspired him in shaping his understanding of law and human rights.
He remembers Prof. Thomas Stephens from the University of Ghana School Of Law, who inspired him with his way of dressing, in-depth knowledge of the law and engagement with students.
He recounts the enormous challenges he encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when lectures moved online, and Dr Stephen’s tremendous support to ensure things moved quickly and smoothly for him.
“I also had the chance to have a few classes with the Dean himself, Prof. Raymond Atuguba. He taught the course such that some of us never felt scared as other lecturers made the course,’ he recalled.
Juventu’s academic journey was fraught with challenges, particularly in communication.
The year 2007 was the last time he studied with deaf peers. He was often the only deaf person in his classes throughout the following years of his education, which made interaction with peers difficult.
Despite these hurdles, he remained high-spirited, studying late into the night and seeking help from kind classmates when necessary.
Reflecting on his academic experience at UG, he connected his affection for the university to his older brother, who is also an alumnus. He felt inspired to be a student of the premier university, saying he would choose the University of Ghana any time, any day, if given the chance to further his studies or work.
The University Of Ghana School Of Law, along with its Dean, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the Director of Legal Education of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Bramiah Oppong, and his capable team, including the Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the Ghana School of Law and the Office for Students with Special Needs (UG), made significant contributions to his journey.
Prof. Atuguba acknowledged Juventus’ achievement as evidence of the university’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Commenting on how the school accommodated his special needs, Prof. Atugugba explained that ‘In the case of Juventus, we worked closely with him to understand and address his special needs, ensuring he had access to the teaching and learning resources in the appropriate formats that would support his academic journey.
Professor Atuguba noted that Juventus’s journey is just beginning, and the future holds promise for him and the many lives he aims to touch along the way.
Juventus’s close friend, Ida Esi McOwusu Esq., described her first encounter with Juventus as ‘intriguing.’ “My first meeting with Juventus was in class, where he sat right in front of me in first year,” Ida reveals. She was intrigued and wanted to find out more about him, especially how Juventus navigated his way to this level. “I got closer and we became friends from there,” she remarked.
Mr Francis Kweku Essel, Juventus’ interpreter, shed light on the primary challenges he faced in carrying out his job, particularly the complex nature of legal terminology and concepts. This validates Ida’s comment on the interpreters’ lack of legal background as a challenge Lawyer Duorinaah encountred.
Juventus dreams of becoming a judge and aims to enhance justice delivery while serving as a role model for young people with disabilities.
He is currently mentoring a group of young deaf students interested in pursuing law, hoping to pave the way for future generations. What’s next for Lawyer Juventus? His next step is to complete his pupilage, after which he can decide further his legal career.
