From Shepherd to Scholar: Ghanaian Man Wins UK Scholarship, Earns PhD in Economics
"In 2005, while my schoolmates were busy preparing for basic school exams (BECE), I was busy being a herdsman," he said. Despite these challenges, Mumin excelled academically, emerging as the best student in his class.
Binye-lum 
A young man from Ghana, Ah Mumin, has achieved remarkable academic success despite challenging circumstances. While tending his father's sheep, Mumin earned a scholarship to study at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom and has recently completed his PhD in Economics from the same institution.
Growing up in Ghana, Mumin was the third of his father’s 18 children to attend high school, and the only one to advance to university due to financial hardships. Reflecting on his journey, Mumin shared, "From my late father’s 18 children, getting to secondary school in 2005 meant that I had already blazed a trail. Of the 12 before me, only 2 had basic education but that was where it ended.”
READ ALSO:Senator Karimi Launches Bursary Awards for Kogi West Students
Mumin's responsibilities included tending to his father’s sheep while preparing for high school exams, often without electricity at home. "In 2005, while my schoolmates were busy preparing for basic school exams (BECE), I was busy being a herdsman," he said. Despite these challenges, Mumin excelled academically, emerging as the best student in his class.
Mumin's exceptional grades earned him a place at Business Secondary School in Tamale, Ghana. Although his mother suggested he attend Teachers Training College due to financial constraints, Mumin opted to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Development Planning at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Despite financial struggles, he graduated successfully, relying on loans and occasional fasting.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU:World Bank Awards Oyo N3.5bn for Renovation of 105 Public Schools
Following his undergraduate studies, Mumin received a Commonwealth shared scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Economic Development at the University of Glasgow. He continued his academic journey by securing a scholarship for his PhD at the same institution.
Mumin's story is a testament to perseverance and determination. He advises students from his community not to let their circumstances define their success and to persist in their academic pursuits. "You don’t need to be exceptionally brilliant to achieve academic success; perseverance and pushing on are key," he said.
