Eliasu Yahaya Bansi, a BSc Real Estate student, emerged as the best-graduating student at the 58th congregation of the KNUST College of Arts and Built Environment, achieving a Cumulative Weighted Average of 81.04.
As the first in his family to attend university, Eliasu faced significant challenges navigating the often erratic conditions of tertiary education.
Back home in Bawku, there was virtually no one to turn to for financial support.
“I struggled through thick and thin to get here,” he said.
During vacations, Eliasu, an alumnus of Bawku Senior High School (SHS), traveled to the Western Region to engage in illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, to earn money for his school fees and living expenses.
Unfortunately, on one of those trips, Eliasu lost a close friend—a tragic event that deeply affected him and created a strong aversion to illegal mining.
“With sadness, I remember my friend Abubakar, who lost his life while running with me to escape. May his soul rest in peace. In fact, I hate galamsey, but had it not been for that, I wouldn’t have been here today,” he said.
After this tragic experience, Eliasu couldn’t bring himself to return to the mining sites, a decision strongly supported by his siblings. It was at this point that his lecturers and friends stepped in to assist him.
“I remember in my second year, when the university ordered students to pay up to 70% of their school fees or risk being barred from writing exams, I had to run to Zinzi, who sympathized with me and paid the fees. Thanks also to Andras Benewaa and Vicentia Gyamfi, who supported me in paying my school fees during that year.
“I also want to thank Mr. Gilbert Langu, our College Counselor, for supporting me every semester with food supplies through the KNUST Food Bank,” he recounted.
In his valedictory speech, Eliasu appealed to the university authorities to “look out for people of my sort and extend help to them.”
The College of Arts and Built Environment graduated a total of 2,003 students, comprising 1,237 males and 766 females.
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