spent three years on the KNUST campus before relocating to the Medical Students’ Hostels at Komfo Anokye in our fourth year. Medical school was an uphill climb, demanding relentless dedication to our studies. The Anatomy course was particularly gruelling. I vividly recall our initial encounter with it; it was nothing short of a Herculean task. After our first Anatomy class, my friend Cate and I found ourselves needing around three buckets of water each just to bathe, washing away the figurative and literal sweat of our labour. “I can’t do this; I can never do this,” I muttered to myself, my anxiety mounting as the Anatomy exams drew near. It was an arduous subject, and my nerves were getting the best of me. But then, one of my male classmates extended a reassuring hand, walking me through the challenging moments and offering a heartfelt prayer. Together, we managed to navigate the Anatomy exam successfully. The pressure intensified during our final exams, especially since my uncle, Professor Ben Edoo, had been assigned as the examiner, travelling fromAccra to assess our performance. The last thing I wanted was to disappoint him. However, an unexpected stroke of luck saved the day. He posed the same question to most candidates, and our fellow students, who had already faced the interview, generously shared the question and their insights. By the time it was my turn, I was well-prepared to provide a brilliant answer. My uncle, a man with a strong British background and an Oxford University education, was immensely proud of my performance. He regaled my mother and aunt, Mama, with stories of how his niece had effortlessly and correctly answered all the questions. During my time in medical school, we experienced the ‘aluta days’ when Ghanaian universities were often closed due to coups and student uprisings. Before I embarked on my house officer training, I seized the opportunity to travel to London to work and earn some money. It was an adventurous chapter of my life, where I found myself working as a chambermaid and later as a nurse assistant. My dear Aunt Betty was always there to provide a reference for me and 14 The Birthday Journal
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