Visually impaired Ephraim Ayeh Oracca-Tetteh has defied all odds to become the best graduating Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Ghana, Legon, achieving a remarkable perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0.
The momentous occasion was celebrated at the university’s Great Hall during the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
In an interview with DisabilityNewsGH.com, Mr. Oracca-Tetteh, attributed his extraordinary success to the strong support system within the university.
He specifically highlighted the accessible infrastructure, technological resources, and dedicated assistance from lecturers and fellow students.
“Technology has been the key feature in my educational journey,” Mr. Oracca-Tetteh shared. “The availability of technology, enabling me to use the computer, involving sound, made things very easy for me.”
He explained how the university provided aides who transcribed his work from Braille into text and offered speech-to-text transcription services, enabling him to fully participate in lectures and coursework.
Beyond technological assistance, Mr. Oracca-Tetteh expressed his gratitude for the support from his lecturers and fellow students.
He noted that his peers not only assisted him with his studies but also served as guides, helping him navigate the physical campus environment.
His parents also received high praise. “My mom and dad have been superb, right from the onset,” he said. “They’ve really helped me, and I can’t even find the words to express it.”
He also acknowledged the Office of Students with Special Needs for their unyielding support.
Oracca-Tetteh’s journey is a powerful embodiment of the values he championed. Born sighted to Reverend Peter Mensah Oracca-Tetteh and Mrs. Naomi Oracca-Tetteh, he began his education at Faith Christian Academy and later pursued visual arts at St. Thomas Aquinas SHS.
In 2017, he gained admission to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to study Painting and Sculpture. However, his academic path took an unexpected turn when he began experiencing vision loss due to a health complication he suffered as a child.
After nearly a year of seeking medical attention, Oracca-Tetteh made the courageous decision to acknowledge his visual impairment and redirect his education.
He sought guidance from the Ghana Blind Union and received essential training in Assistive Technology, equipping him with the tools to continue his studies. Demonstrating remarkable determination, Oracca-Tetteh reapplied to the University of Ghana and was accepted in 2021 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Philosophy & Classics, and Archaeology.
Today, he graduates with a perfect 4.0 final grade point average. His academic excellence has been recognised throughout his educational journey.
At St. Thomas Aquinas, he won first prize in a visual arts quiz competition. At the University of Ghana, he received the Alumni Prize for the best level 200 student in the humanities during the 2021/2022 Vice Chancellor’s award ceremony.
Beyond academics, Oracca-Tetteh has been actively involved in campus life. He volunteered with Radio Univers, served as an E-learning Champion, and held leadership positions in the Campus Association of Students with Special Needs and the Association of Philosophy and Classics Students (APHICLAS).
He also facilitated a joint project by the Ghana Education Service (GES), T-TEL, and KTI, training senior high school teachers in using technology to maximize teaching. An active member of Living God Temple, Oracca-Tetteh is passionate about assistive technology, reading, cognitive science, and solving puzzles.
He credits his success to his family’s unwavering support and the mentorship of individuals like Mr. Jerry Steven Furgurson, Mr. Sylvester Acquah, and Dr. Nancy Myles.
He also benefited from a book grant from Kimathi and partners and a partial scholarship from the Scholarship Secretariat.
His story serves as a powerful reminder that resilience, coupled with unwavering commitment and community support, can overcome any obstacle and achieve extraordinary success.
His father, Rev. Peter Mensah Oracca-Tetteh, admonished parents, particularly fathers, to stand by their children with disabilities, providing unwavering support to enable them to fulfill their potential.
Rev. Peter Oracca-Tetteh, who is the Children Ministry Coordinator of Christ Apostolic Church International, believes God has a purpose for every child, whether able or disabled. According to him, strong support systems are all that children need to thrive.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com