Perseverance is a powerful force that can help humans achieve their dreams, even during difficult challenges.

It is usually the driving force behind many success stories and separates those who achieve their dreams from those who fall short.

That is the story of Stephen Nhyiraba Gyesi, a young man who refused to let his circumstances define him.

The teaching and research assistant at the University of Ghana graduated in 2022 from the University of Ghana with First Class honours in information studies and the study of religions with a remarkable GPA of 3.81/4.0!

In a post shared on his LinkedIn page on Sunday, August 25, 2024, he shared how his journey to pursue tertiary education was fraught with challenges.

Stephen, who was the first person in his village to complete basic school, a feat deemed impossible to many at the time, said he never gave up on his dreams despite the setbacks and obstacles he encountered in his pursuit for his dreams.

“I made a promise to my parents that I would change the narrative and make them proud. I fulfilled my first promise by successfully completing senior high school, but a bigger challenge awaited me. Apparently, no one from my village who received their basic education there had ever gone on to attend tertiary school, so I perceived that as a challenging task. I toiled relentlessly, driven by my purpose," he stated.

He added that when he gained admission to the University of Ghana in 2018, it was a dream come true for him.

However, for the dream to materialise, he had to work extra hard to support his parents and fund his education.

Stephen said he took up a construction labourer job.

In addition to that, he taught fellow students for free, often sacrificing his time, energy, and comfort just to make others happy.

Eventually, his hard work paid off when he graduated with First Class and a received the Vice Chancellor's Award for the Best Graduating Student from a less endowed school in the humanities (2022).

“When I gained admission to tertiary school, it was a dream come true. However, I knew I had to work harder to fulfill my promise. While my colleagues enjoyed vacations and luxuries, I labored on construction sites and saved every little amount to support my parents take care of my bills. Irrespective of my condition, I sacrificed my time, energy, and comfort to make sure others were happy. I sometimes cried at night because the condition was too severe. Yet, I selflessly helped fellow students, teaching them for free.

"Despite the hardships, I reminded myself of my promise and persevered. My sacrifices paid off when I graduated with First Class Honours and received the Vice Chancellor's award for the best graduating student from a less endowed school in the humanities (2022). I also became a moderator for the Good Culture of Ghana Podcast and achieved more. I made an impact in people’s lives and became a part of people’s stories,” he narrated.

Stephen’s hard work also earned him a spot at a university in Ohio, in the United States of America, where he will be pursuing a master's degree.

He paid glowing tributes to all those who assisted him throughout his journey.

“I thank God, because this is a transformation beyond imagination. I'm grateful to my parents (Ama Nyame & Kobina Gyesi), siblings, and everyone who supported me,” he noted.

JKB/AE

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