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19.03.2018 Opinion

How I Bought My First Smartphone Without Money

By Obed Mawunyo Kodjo
How I Bought My First Smartphone Without Money
19.03.2018 LISTEN

During the 2011/12 academic year while I was in my third year at KNUST, I was appointed by the Faculty of Art Students Association (Art Society) together with one other as a Rep to the Students Representative Council (SRC) Academic Board. One of the prime responsibilities of the board was to liaise between the student body and the administration of the school in matters relating to academics. I attended all the board meetings and reported back to the Art Society Executive Council.

While one may think that there would be sitting allowances and item 13 (refreshment) served at these meetings, it was otherwise. Not even water was served. There was a time we had to do a research in our various departments in the faculty to find out from students what the major reasons for their failures were. I did mine and presented a printed report to the SRC Veep who was the Chairman of the board.

Along the line, for reasons best known to them, most of the reps to the board would not attend meetings. While the temptation of quitting as well stared in my face, I remain committed to the tasks. Sometimes I would have to sacrifice my practical work periods at the altar of the board meeting.

The academic year was almost coming to an end and we expected to receive our certificates from the SRC. However, we were told that the certificates were not ready because the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Williams Otoo Ellis, who was supposed to sign them, had travelled. So they promised that they would be handed over to the new SRC administration so we can pick them up. No allowances, nothing...but I was awarded a certificate by the Art Society.

Before the academic year ended, I picked a scholarship (Ketewa Bia Nsua) form at the secretariat of the SRC. I filled and submitted it.

During the long vacation period, I went to teach at Sogakope Senior High School (SOGASCO), my Alma Mata. One day I was teaching when I received a call from the outgone SRC Veep. After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, he asked me to text my details (student number, program of study, year and CWA) to him. I did.

School had just reopened for the new academic year, and I entered my final year. I was notified that I was to benefit from the SRC scholarship. It was a full scholarship that covered the academic fees. It was a eureka moment for me having learnt of this good news!

Though the scholarship covered the full fees, I still had some arrears from previous academic year. As has always been, I went to campus to and register and return home. Just when I was planning to go home, someone brought a pay-in-slip to me. When I checked, it was the receipt of the payment of 50% of my final year fees. It was a scholarship as well. Glory!

The second scholarship had cleared my arrears. And not only that, I had to go for a refund from the accounts office. Truth was that, if I walked into the accounts office, I was there to submit an undertaking endorsed by my head of Department to permit me to make part payment of my fees and be allowed to register. This time when I got to the office, the lady at the office smiled at me. She quickly checked my files and wrote a cheque for me for the refund.

While I used part of the refund for personal upkeep, I used part of it to buy a Smartphone (Samsung Gravity, photo below). It was my first Smartphone that I BOUGHT WITHOUT MONEY!

I bought the Smartphone because I really needed it for research because I didn't have a laptop to help me with my project work though I sometimes borrow it from my friends.

The moral of my story is that, while it may have seemed as though I worked diligently as a Faculty Rep at the SRC Academic Board without getting even a certificate as a consolation from the SRC, I had received a better reward--my scholarship application was granted. My fees were paid in full. Let me however state that I received the scholarship on merit because I was a First Class student who needed assistance. But I also believe that my COMMITMENT to the SRC academic board was noticed by the SRC Veep who was the chairman. He therefore felt I deserved to be granted the scholarship. So he recommended a FULL SCHOLARSHIP.

You see, I live by a personal code, that, IF IT MUST BE DONE, IT MUST BE DONE WELL. There are times you will feel that you are not getting the recognition for your efforts, but don't give up. Don't give up being good to people because you have not received a "thank you" from them. Keep doing what you do best; you'll receive a reward if you do not lose heart (Gal 6:9).

Finally, let us be guided by the words in Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV), that,

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Obed Mawunyo Kodjo
The writer is an inspirational writer, motivational speaker and a budding author. He is the founder of iMpact360PLUS, an organization that is established to empower this generation for holistic transformation. He can be reached on +233 0243 150 352 or at [email protected]

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