From Financial Struggles to Academic Excellence: The story of Amankwa-Taylor

For Solicity Amankwa-Taylor, the journey to becoming an Environmental and Safety Engineering graduate was not without its challenges.

At a point, the dream of completing her university education was threatened by financial difficulties at home, leaving her uncertain about how she would continue her studies.

Today, she has three academic awards to her name and is undertaking her national service as a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) personnel at YILPORT-ATSL in Takoradi.

Her journey from financial uncertainty to academic achievement highlights the determination that shaped her university experience and the support that helped her stay on course.

Solicity’s story is also one of the beneficiaries being highlighted as MTN Ghana marks 30 years of operations in the country, demonstrating how the MTN Bright Scholarship has helped students overcome financial barriers to education.

A university dream under pressure

Solicity’s university journey began with the ambition of building a career in Environmental and Safety Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT).

Although her family was not wealthy, they had managed to meet their financial commitments before circumstances changed.

Her father lost his job, while her elder brother was also pursuing tertiary education. This left her mother’s business as the family’s main source of income.

Supporting two children through university became increasingly difficult, with tuition, accommodation and daily upkeep placing considerable pressure on the household.

For Solicity, the situation created uncertainty about whether she could complete her programme.

Despite her determination to earn her degree, the financial challenges meant she had to consider seeking external assistance or deferring her studies until her family’s circumstances improved.

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The prospect of putting her education on hold was a difficult one, particularly as she had already embarked on the journey towards achieving her professional ambitions.

The opportunity that changed her journey

A turning point came when Solicity was selected for the MTN Bright Scholarship, an initiative of the MTN Ghana Foundation that supports brilliant but financially disadvantaged students in public tertiary institutions.

The scholarship provided financial assistance for tuition and accommodation, easing the pressure on her family and giving her the opportunity to continue her education.

With the immediate financial concerns reduced, Solicity could devote more attention to her studies without the constant uncertainty that had threatened to interrupt her university journey.

The support also enabled her to participate more fully in academic life, including helping some of her colleagues with their studies.

The scholarship became an important part of her university experience, helping her move beyond the prospect of deferring her education and concentrate on achieving her academic goals.

Her experience illustrates the role targeted educational assistance can play in helping students remain in school when financial difficulties threaten their progress.

A record of academic excellence

Solicity made the most of the opportunity, distinguishing herself through her academic performance at UMaT.

Her achievements earned her three awards, recognising her performance at different stages of her university education.

At the Ninth Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA), she was named Best Level 200 Female Engineering Student, an early recognition of her academic ability.

Her achievements continued at graduation, where she received the Prof Newton Attah Amegbey Award for Best Graduating Student in the Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering.

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She also received the Prof Douglas Boateng Award for Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Studies.

The three awards marked a significant milestone in her academic journey, particularly considering the financial difficulties that had once placed her education at risk.

They also reflected the dedication she brought to her studies and her determination to make the most of the opportunity available to her.

For a student who had faced the possibility of deferring university, graduating with multiple academic honours represented a notable achievement and an important step towards her career ambitions.

Building a career in health, safety and the environment

Having completed her university education, Solicity is now taking her first steps into the professional world.

She is currently undertaking her national service as HSE personnel at YILPORT-ATSL in Takoradi, where she has the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during her Environmental and Safety Engineering programme.

Her placement provides practical exposure to an industrial environment in which workplace safety and environmental management are essential.

The role marks a transition from academic training to professional development, allowing her to begin building experience in the field she studied.

Her journey from uncertainty about completing university to earning three academic awards and starting her professional life reflects the progress she has made despite the financial challenges she encountered.

It also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for young people to translate their education into meaningful professional careers.

MRA/EB

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