By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Dorimon, (UW/R), Oct. 21, GNA – An intervention by Alhaji Dassana N. S. Adamu, a former Wa West District Chief Executive (DCE), has enabled Kofi David, a 19-year-old person with disability (PWD), to pursue education in computer hardware at the Wa Technical Institute (WaTech).
The intervention has given David, who lost both legs through electrocution, renewed hope of acquiring skills in computer engineering in a category “A” second cycle institution after he was initially placed at the T. I Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) in Wa.
The intervention by Alhaji Adamu, also the Upper West Regional Coordinator of Free SHS, was timely as David had considered truncating his education after Junior High School partly due to the challenges in navigating the school with his disability.
As part of the support, Alhaji Adamu secured Kofi’s admission into WaTech, refurbished his wheelchair and procured his prospectuses, and assured him of supporting him throughout his stay in that school.
David reported to school on Monday, October 19, 2026, to start the journey of rewriting his story.
The intervention demonstrates that collective support, inclusive education policies, and institutional support can help prevent disability from becoming a barrier to educational opportunity.
It would also help contribute to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
Target 4.5 of that Goal, for instance, requires the government to “Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations” by 2030.
Alhaji Adamu said he first learnt about David’s condition through media reports and visited him at the hospital, and that his monitoring of the 2026 BECE provided him another opportunity to meet David while he was writing the examination.
He said he appreciated David’s determination to continue his education despite the challenges he had experienced and assured him of support to progress to the next level of education, provided he passed the examination.
However, he said David had opted to learn a trade in the smock industry rather than moving to the SHS but later agreed to continue his education after incessant encouragement.
Mr Adamu emphasised the need for stakeholders, particularly the government and development partners, to recognise the needs of students with disabilities, including the provision of disability-friendly educational infrastructure.
Mr Stephen Nuornon, David’s former teacher, explained that the incident occurred on a Sunday morning in December 2023 when David was going to prepare a classroom for church services.
He said David was carrying a long aluminium bar to the classroom where they held the service when the bar accidentally touched a high-tension wire along the road, causing the electricity to strike him.
He was rushed to the Dotimon health centre but referred to the Upper West Regional Hospital, where he had his legs amputated.
The school also waived 18 items on the prospectus list for Kofi’s admission and assured him it would provide other essential support he would require due to his physical condition.
Mr Adams Saaka, Principal of the WaTec, said their decision to waive the items reflected the institution’s commitment to supporting inclusive technical and vocational education.
He explained that as part of that commitment, the school had admitted other students with disabilities.
Mr Donyi Tanye, David’s uncle, expressed gratitude to Alhaji Adamu for the intervention, as the assistance had eased the financial burden on the family and enabled them to cater to the needs of David’s brother, who had also gained admission to the same institution.
He prayed for God’s blessings on the benefactor and encouraged him to continue supporting vulnerable people whose circumstances required assistance to rebuild their lives.
David also thanked Alhaji Adamu for helping him return to school, since he had initially decided against furthering his education.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Philip Tengzu, GNA
Reporter’s email: [email protected]