Many people can express their emotions without facing any
challenges. Some can laugh, talk and show emotions anytime they want. For
others, communication is their greatest challenge and they have to endure all sorts
of things before they can say a word. This is the story of a young Ghanaian student
at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).
Portia Gabor, a Ghanaian journalist at Media General, tells
a touching story of a young man who experiences seizures when he tries to talk.
Portia traveled to the Central region of Ghana to meet Samuel Akonnor to share
his story with the world. Samuel Akonnor is a second-year Art student at UEW In
Ghana. Samuel has had a rare disease for years.
Samuel shows his artworks. Source: TV3
Portia became emotional when she began to interview him
because of the difficulties he had to go through while talking. Samuel broke
into tears when he could not speak. The journalist had to change her approach
and used text messages to be able to tell his story. Samuel’s rare disease
makes him fall and hit his head on walls anytime he attempts to talk. Samuel
said arts allowed him to express himself when words failed him. Samuel is a
good student and does very well in his education despite the communication
challenges.
Some people see him as an evil person. Others too ran away
from him. A Special Educationist who works with Samuel said the condition
created a lot of stigmas. He remembered when all passengers in public transport
ran away when he tried to say he would alight. Samuel is proud he has been able
to climb the educational ladder. Some of his lecturers and coursemates had been
supportive. He has friends who defend his work for him. He also has beautiful artworks
that depict his condition.
Samuel shows his condition in an artwork. Source: TV3
In an interview with Berla Mundi on New Day, it was
confirmed that Samuel’s condition had been there since childhood but much
attention had not been given to it because of financial challenges. A clinical
psychologist mentioned that Samuel has a rare neurological condition and the
chances of being diagnosed early are low in Ghana. He said he felt bored
sometimes because people were rude to him. Samuel wants the public to support
his artworks so he can get money for his education and medical bills. He hopes
science will advance so he can communicate without challenges.
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