Former Deputy Education Minister, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour
Former Deputy Education Minister, John Ntim Fordjour, has recounted the financial struggles he endured as a student, revealing that he had to work extra hard just to stay in school.
Speaking in a recent interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, the Member of Parliament for Assin South recalled how, apart from his first year’s tuition, which he managed to pay in full, he struggled to afford fees in subsequent years.
“From the second and third years onward, I couldn’t pay my fees in full,there were times I had no money at all not even enough to make a deposit”, he recounted.
Faced with the threat of being unable to register for his courses, he often turned to his department heads for help.
“I would go to my Head of Department either Professor Aboah, or Professor Sarpomaa, or Professor Amankwah, they were all department heads at the time. I had to ask them to write undertakings on my behalf, assuring the school that I would pay later in the semester”, he remarked.
Asked how he coped emotionally with such uncertainty and pressure, Reverend Fordjour admitted it was not easy.
“I had to muster a lot of courage to avoid depression, there were very tough times. Even finding what to eat was difficult”, he noted.
Reverend Ntim Fordjour recalled how the embarrassing cycle of writing undertakings each semester took a toll on him, especially during exam periods.
“Whenever exams were approaching, my heart would be throbbing wondering whether I’d be able to pay my fees in time, because without payment, you wouldn’t be allowed to write. God came through somehow”, he stated.
The law maker managed to find support from family, friends, and sometimes his parents. He also took matters into his own hands by engaging in trade.
“I started selling perfumes on campus and even in town, I’d get supplies from different sources and sell them to make ends meet”, he added.
Watch the interview below:
“I had to muster a lot of courage to avoid depression” – Rev John Ntim Fordjour
Check first comment for full video pic.twitter.com/0ZApA5Ihrz
— Kafui Dey (@KafuiDey) June 1, 2025
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