What began as a viral television interview about climate-induced migration and the struggles of a young woman, Salamatu Haruna, working as a head porter in Accra has opened a new chapter of hope, dignity and opportunity.

Following the interview, the Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu, tasked the then Vice-Dean of Students in charge of the Nyankpala Campus, Prof. Sanatu Mustapha Alidu, to locate the young woman and explore how the University could support her financially.

After an extensive search, Prof.  Sanatu Alidu found Salamatu outside Tamale and paid for her return to the city. Subsequent discussions clarified an important aspect of the original account: she was not a Level 200 Food Science student at the time of the interview, as widely reported. She had already graduated from UDS with a diploma and was seeking an opportunity to further her education.

That clarification did not diminish the University’s determination to assist her.

Acting on the Vice-Chancellor’s instructions, Prof. Sanatu Alidu personally supported her application to pursue further studies. Owing to her excellent academic performance at the diploma level, she secured admission to continue her education at UDS.

Prof. Sanatu Alidu subsequently pre-financed her first-year tuition and accommodation fees. While the student awaits the reopening of the University, the former Vice-Dean has also engaged her in a decent part-time job at her private business (DINMBONE Farm Gates), enabling her to earn an income through a safer and more dignified means to support her living expenses for the first trimester, to enable her to stabilize for academic work.

Having guided her through the admission and fee-payment processes, Prof. Sanatu Alidu personally accompanied Salamatu to meet the Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Iddrisu expressed his delight at the successful completion of the assignment and commended Prof. Sanatu Alidu for going beyond the initial search to provide the young woman with practical and sustainable assistance.

“When the University reopens, we will take the necessary steps to migrate you onto the Government’s No-Fees-Stress policy and support you through the Students Financial Aid Scheme under the Office of the Dean of Students,” the Vice-Chancellor assured Salamatu.
He encouraged her to study diligently and make the most of the opportunity offered to her.

“Study hard so that, one day, perhaps at your graduation, we will have a positive story to tell about how far you have come,” he added.
Prof. Sanatu Alidu thanked the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the Dean of Students and expressed her satisfaction that the intervention had given the young woman a genuine opportunity to pursue her academic aspirations.

In an interview with UDS Media, Salamatu explained that her earlier media appearance was never intended to tarnish the reputation of UDS. According to her, the central focus of the TV3 report was the effect of climate change on rural livelihoods and how worsening economic conditions compel some young people from northern Ghana to migrate south in search of work.

She explained that the UDS dimension unexpectedly became the dominant part of the public conversation because viewers were impressed by her intelligence, confidence and fluency. Many people found it striking that a diploma graduate could be working as a kayayo, or female head porter, to raise money to continue her education. That contrast between her academic ability and the difficult work she had undertaken consequently overshadowed the report’s original climate-migration focus.

The intervention demonstrates the importance of responsive leadership and a student-support system that looks beyond formal administrative procedures to address the real circumstances of individuals. Prof. Sanatu Mustapha Alidu and the Office of the Dean of Students deserve commendation for translating the Vice-Chancellor’s directive into practical support that protects the young woman’s dignity while creating a pathway for her educational advancement.

The media also deserve praise for telling her story and drawing public attention to the relationship between climate change, poverty, migration and access to education. Having highlighted her difficulties, the same media organisations are encouraged to give similar prominence to the University’s response and the progress she has made.

Individuals and organisations wishing to support the young woman are advised to do so through the Office of the Dean of Students of UDS by contacting the Office of the Vice Dean of Students' Affairs, Nyankpala Campus via Email: vdsaffairs.nyankpala@uds.edu.gh/ msanatu@uds.edu.gh or on phone number 0243565564.

Story by Abdul Malik Iddrisu
UDS Media