AFRICA | A brilliant young African man, Gerald Arhin, has proven that physical limitations are no match for determination and intellect.
Despite losing his sight at the age of six, Gerald has achieved multiple successes, earning a Master’s degree from the University of Cambridge and now pursuing a PhD at the University of Manchester.
His journey is a powerful story of resilience, education, and unyielding hope.
Gerald's Story and How He Did It
Gerald’s challenges began at just five years old when he was diagnosed with glaucoma. A surgery meant to correct the condition went wrong, first affecting his right eye, and then his left after a second operation.
By the age of six, he had lost his sight completely. What could have been the end of his dreams became the beginning of a remarkable story.
Gerald’s condition had him move from a regular school to a special education center, where he learned Braille, adapting quickly to his new way of life.
He recalls that the turning point came from a doctor who encouraged him, saying that visually impaired people could still make meaningful contributions to society. Those words planted a seed of hope that guided him for years to come.
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Through all his challenges, Gerald’s mother stood as his greatest pillar of strength. Raising three children alone and facing financial hardship, she refused to give in to those who doubted the value of educating a blind child.
Her perseverance paid off as Gerald excelled academically at Akropong School for the Blind, mastering assistive technologies like screen-reading software that allowed him to study and write independently.
Determined to reach greater heights, Gerald gained admission into Okuapemman Senior High School, where he broke barriers by becoming the first visually impaired student ever elected as School Prefect—a feat that demonstrated both his intellect and leadership.
His academic brilliance continued to shine at the University of Ghana, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy in 2018.
His outstanding performance earned him a fully funded scholarship to the prestigious University of Cambridge, where he obtained a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in African Studies.
Gerald’s time at Cambridge marked a defining chapter in his life. It was not just an academic achievement; it was a testament to perseverance. Upon graduation, he received four PhD offers from top UK universities, ultimately choosing the University of Manchester to continue his research.
However, his academic journey was not without obstacles. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the sudden cancellation of his scholarship funding. Refusing to let this setback define him, Gerald launched a GoFundMe campaign to sustain his doctoral studies.
He found courage in his mother’s example, saying, “Anytime I’m facing a hurdle, I remember what my mother went through to get me here. I can’t afford to give up.”
At Manchester, Gerald’s doctoral research focuses on the impact of natural resources on local communities in Ghana. His passion for the topic began in 2007 when Ghana discovered oil in commercial quantities.
He observed that, despite the country’s natural wealth, many communities living in resource-rich areas suffered from poverty, displacement, and exploitation. His work now aims to understand and address this imbalance.
“My concern is about the people living in the concession areas—how this impacts their lives and how their conditions can be improved,” he explained.
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