Kumasi, Jan. 18, GNA - Yusif Yakubu, a science student at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, who has won a scholarship to study medicine at the Lugansk State Medical University, Ukraine, on Sunday began a walk from Kumasi to Accra to raise funds to support his studies. He is expected to pay 21,000 US dollars to cover tuition, accommodation and feeding for his seven years study at the university since the scholarship granted him takes care of only research, fellowships and other contingencies.

Yakubu was issued with an admission letter from the university in November last year as well as a study right from the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science and a visa but he is yet to raise the money. Speaking in an interview with newsmen prior to the start of his walk, which is expected to take about two weeks, he made a passionate appeal to public-spirited people, corporate bodies and benevolent organisations to come to his aid.

"I am appealing to the general public to help me realise my dream of becoming a medical doctor" and said proceeds from the walk to be known as the Yusif Education Trust Fund would also be committed to the needs of other deprived students.

Yakubu said even though the university opened in November last year, he had been given a grace period to raise the money and expressed optimism that he would realise the money before the period elapsed in April this year.