AFRICA | A brilliant Ghanaian scholar, Dr. Ben Bishop Nyanihorba Ayamba, has made history as the first visually-impaired person to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
His remarkable achievement in Guidance and Counselling was celebrated at UCC’s 56th Congregation, where he stood among 103 PhD graduates. In recognition of his extraordinary resilience and academic excellence, the Chancellor of UCC, Sir Dr. Sam Jonah, honored him with a $2,000 cash prize.
Dr. Ben's Story and How He Did It
Dr. Ben’s story is one shaped by courage and transformation. After completing his basic education, his life took an unexpected turn in 1995, when a car accident in Accra left him completely blind.
What could have ended his educational aspirations instead became the beginning of an inspiring new chapter.
Following the accident, he underwent rehabilitation at the Akropong School for the Blind, where he learned the skills needed to navigate life independently. Even in darkness, his vision for education never dimmed.
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With renewed determination, he earned a Certificate A from the Presbyterian Training College, setting the foundation for a lifelong career in teaching.
He served as a teacher at Ntonso L/A Junior High School, and later as a tutor at Mampong Technical College of Education, proof that disability did not limit his impact in the classroom.
Committed to advancing academically, Dr. Ayamba returned to the University of Cape Coast, where he completed Bachelor of Education in Psychology (English major) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Guidance and Counselling.
In January 2024, after years of intense research, perseverance, and academic discipline, Dr. Ayamba successfully completed his PhD in Guidance and Counselling.
This milestone officially made him the first blind PhD graduate in the university’s history, a landmark moment not only for UCC but for Ghana’s academic community.
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