On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Executive Director of PAQ Foundation and a seasoned video journalist, Peter Quao Adattor, came across a post on a WhatsApp group platform that immediately caught his attention. However, the post was deleted before he could fully grasp its content. The group admin’s query prompted an apology from the original poster, revealing that the post was about a former Adisadel College student who had excelled academically but faced a dire financial situation.
The post detailed the plight of Elvis Marfo, an exceptional student who scored eight A1s in the 2024 WASSCE. Elvis had been admitted to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to pursue a six-year BSc in Human Biology, the first step towards a career in medicine. However, his admission was as a fee-paying student, and he faced a tight deadline of Tuesday, January 14, 2025, to pay his tuition and related fees or risk losing his place.
The Call to Action
Deeply moved by the story, Peter privately contacted the poster for more details. It was then revealed that Elvis, who hails from the Ejisu District of the Ashanti Region, had always been an academic star. Despite his brilliance, financial constraints threatened to derail his dreams. Both of Elvis’s parents are teachers in a basic public school, making it nearly impossible for them to afford the fees.
Initially, Peter planned to seek assistance from corporate entities like Ecobank. However, the Managing News Editor of GHOneTV, Alice Aryeetey, proposed a broader approach: publishing Elvis’s story to reach a larger audience.
The Ripple Effect
Within 24 hours of publishing the story, the response was overwhelming. Calls flooded the EIB Network’s platforms, with individuals, corporate bodies, and some Adisadel College alumni (Adisco Old-Boys) pledging their support.
One Adisco alumnus, in particular, stepped forward with a remarkable gesture, saying:
“Put me through to Elvis’s parents. I want to sponsor his entire six years of medical education, but I do not seek publicity. Refer to me simply as a philanthropist. Additionally, I do not want to partner with anyone in this endeavour.”
This singular act of generosity set the stage for a complete turnaround in Elvis’s life.
The Breakthrough
In just four days, Elvis’s financial woes were resolved. By Monday, January 13, 2025, his first-year tuition and academic fees were fully paid. His hostel fees followed the next day, solidifying his status as a first-year student in KNUST’s Human Biology programme.
The Visit to Kumasi
As the story gained traction, the WhatsApp group that initially shared the appeal raised an additional 5,000 cedis, earmarked as pocket money for Elvis. On Thursday, January 16, Peter Quao Adattor, visited Elvis’s hometown in the Ejisu District to meet the young scholar, his parents, and a teacher colleague of his father.
Elvis, who had just returned from his campus orientation, was visibly moved and grateful. In a heartfelt moment, he and his family expressed profound appreciation to EIB Network, the anonymous benefactor, and all who contributed to this life-changing intervention.
It was revealed that Elvis’s parents, though frantically searching for support to help him secure his place at the University, were unaware of the social media post that brought his plight to public attention. The post was made by Frank Atsakli, one of Elvis’s teachers from junior high school, who had recognized the severity of his situation and felt compelled to act. Understanding the importance of timely intervention, Atsakli took it upon himself to share Elvis’s story, which ultimately became the catalyst for a life-changing outcome.
A New Chapter Begins
Thanks to the swift and compassionate actions of kind-hearted Ghanaians, Elvis Marfo is now on a path to achieving his dream of becoming a medical practitioner. This story stands as a testament to the power of community, the impact of timely action, and the truth behind the saying, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
By Peter Quao Adattor
