The story of Salamatu Haruna, a University for Development Studies (UDS) diploma graduate who turned to kayayei work in Accra to make a living, has ended with a new opportunity to continue her education.
Her situation, which recently attracted widespread attention after her story went viral, prompted UDS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu to direct efforts to find and support her.
With the intervention of Prof. Sanatu Mustapha Alidu, Ms Haruna has secured admission to return to UDS and continue her studies.
The university has also arranged support for her first year, including tuition and accommodation, giving her the opportunity to return to academic life without having to shoulder the immediate financial burden alone.
While waiting for the university to reopen, Ms Haruna has also been offered a decent part-time job to help her earn an income.
Prof. Iddrisu has further assured her of continued support through the university’s No-Fees-Stress policy and the Students Financial Aid Scheme when the institution reopens.
For Ms Haruna, the development offers a significant change from the difficult circumstances that had forced her to work as a kayayo in Accra despite having earned a diploma from the university.
Her experience has also drawn attention to the challenges faced by young graduates who, despite completing tertiary education, struggle to find opportunities that allow them to build stable livelihoods.
What began as a story of a graduate struggling to survive has therefore taken a more hopeful turn, with support from the university and individuals helping to reopen a path to further education.
Her case is also a reminder of how timely intervention and community support can change the direction of a person’s life, particularly when financial hardship threatens to bring an educational journey to an early end.
