The brilliant student receiving her award
For turning out as the best female medical student of the University of Development Studies (UDS), Dr. Shekira Yahaya has been honoured by the Secretariat of the Zongo & Inner City Development Secretariat of the Office of the President.
The action of the Secretariat is intended to inspire other female students to aspire for higher academic laurels, the Presidential Coordinator of the Secretariat Ben Abdallah Banda has said.
The Coordinator while relishing the feat of the 24-year-old lady is also working with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia to secure admission for her at the John Hopkins University in the United States to specialise in her field of interest.
The Coordinator, who is a former MP for Offinso South Constituency in the Ashanti Region, has since assuming office engaged in a number of activities geared towards encouraging youth from the disadvantaged areas to go to school.
Dr. Shekira Yahaya’s story is that of perseverance coupled with parental support from a father and mother who appreciate the importance of education, especially in the life of a girl child.
Her father did not relent in his support for his little girl; providing her with special tuition before her pre-tertiary examination which gained her the admission to read medicine.
The citation on the plaque presented to her in recognition of her feat reads “the citation is to recognise your sterling performance and celebrate you as a mentee. The girl child and young ladies in the Zongos should emulate you to change the narrative across our communities.”
It added that “this inspiration, we believe will help raise many self-motivated youths as yourself to go for excellence in their chosen fields. As you forge ahead in your chosen career path, we implore you not to rest on your laurels but set the bar several metres higher till you obtain novelty in your field. We believe in you and will partner with you to inspire the young and dedicated in our Zongo communities. Congratulations and May Allah Bless you. November 11, 2021.”
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia is currently sponsoring some Zongo girls who are studying in Sudanese tertiary institutions, having also facilitated the admission and scholarship offer for over a dozen Zongo girls studying medicine in Cuba.
The Presidential Coordinator in his remarks after the feat of Shekira Yahaya said his office will do all it can to encourage the education of the girl child in the Zongo communities and inner cities across the country.
Dr. Shekira’s feat comes on the heels of another Zongo girl who swept all prizes at the KNUST Medical School some four or
By A.R. Gomda