But for the encounter his brother had with Citi FM/TV’s Umaru Sanda Amadu in 2017, Ali Inusah would have remained a herdsman at Katamansu near Ashaiman despite having seven As and a B in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The major threat to Ali Inusah’s quest to pursue higher education was the lack of financial support.
Encounter with Sanda
Umaru Sanda Amadu who was around Katamansu in 2017 to visit his relatives was stopped by Ali’s brother.
Umaru, on the Citi Breakfast Show, recalled how Ali’s brother approached him from the bush and sought help.
“He emerged from the bush and flagged me down. He greeted me and showed me the WASSCE results [of his younger brother]. He subsequently told me those are the results of my younger brother. He said the boy had completed school but had no financial support to continue his education.”
Umaru subsequently held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Citi FM and Citi TV, Samuel Attah-Mensah and Bernard Avle respectively, about the possibility of securing a scholarship for Ali under Citi Opportunity Project on Education (COPE).
Ali interview on Citi Breakfast Show
Bernard Avle subsequently interviewed Ali on the Citi Breakfast Show, at the time, giving the then ace SHS graduate the opportunity to tell his story.
Touched by the story, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, stepped in to give Ali a scholarship.
of which Ali was the first beneficiary. He said so far about 50 students are being supported by the Fund.
“There are so many Ali around,” Mr. Abednego said on the Citi Breakfast Show.
Following his scholarship award to study Accounting from UPSA, the Citi FM/TV Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the station, through the Citi Opportunity Project on Education (COPE) also stepped in to cover his accommodation cost amongst others, whilst in school.
Valedictorian speech
After a four-year study at UPSA, Ali bagged a First Class and delivered a speech as the Valedictorian of the graduating class.
While a stellar student in high school, at St. Johns Wesley Grammar School, he acknowledged that it took “a miraculous encounter” with Bernard Avle and Umaru Sanda Amadu to get him a tertiary education.
“Although I was successful in Senior High School with 7 As and a B, furthering my education at the university seemed almost impossible,” he said in his valedictory speech on Thursday, October 14, 2021.
“Today, I am truly humbled indeed to have benefited from these scholarships. I am very thankful for the opportunity and also grateful to all who work tirelessly to ensure that these schemes function properly.”
