In a story that redefines resilience, a young man from Achiase Nwansanmmire has risen above immense personal challenges to be named the overall best graduating student at the College of Health Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
While many graduates celebrate surrounded by comfort, Nereus Mensah Gyasi’s achievement carries a different kind of weight forged not from privilege, but from sacrifice, determination, and an unbreakable family bond.
Nereus, 21, is the son of Kwaku Asumadu Gyasi, who lost his sight in 2020, and Anita Gyasi, who has lived with the effects of a stroke for the past six years. Yet, even with their own physical limitations, their commitment to their son’s education never wavered.
“My dad was blind and my mum had been paralyzed for some time from stroke. So, I wanted to pursue a programme that would help me understand them. That’s why I chose Disability and Rehabilitation Studies,” Nereus recounted.
His father recalled the fear and uncertainty that engulfed the family when Nereus was about to enter the university.
“I went blind just when he was entering university and I was confused because of my situation. My wife too was critically ill at that moment. But since he insisted on furthering his education, we had to support him. His grandmother and aunty came to our aid,” Mr. Kwaku Gyasi said.
Behind the academic excellence were years of financial instability.
There were semesters when school fees were uncertain and textbooks were a luxury. At one point, the family owed a lot in medical bills; a weight that threatened to derail Nereus’ education.
“My first and second years were hell for me because we were owing the hospital around 70,000 Ghana cedis for my mum’s bill. It was just the help of God and family support that kept me going,” he said.
Relief came in his third year when he earned a scholarship from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which covered the rest of his stay on campus.
When Nereus was named the 2025 best graduating student at the College of Health Sciences with a remarkable Cumulative Weighted Average of 80.50, the celebration became a moment of healing and victory for a family that refused to give up.
“When he mentioned our names and the applause followed, we couldn’t control our tears. It was a proud and unforgettable moment for us,” his father recalled.
Addressing the congregation as valedictorian, Nereus delivered a message that resonated deeply.
“If me, the son of a blind man and a stroke-surviving woman, can stand here today not just as a graduate but a valedictorian, then believe me when I say your dreams are valid, your story matters, and your background is not a barrier.”
Nereus’ story is a reminder that circumstances do not define destiny. With determination, support and unwavering belief, even the heaviest of burdens can become the foundation for greatness.
