Two drug addicts have taken advantage of Government’s Free Senior High Education policy to return to the classroom.
The duo identified as Larbi Appiah Benjamin, 30, and Joshua Ohene Arjarquah, 32, who used to be taxi drivers were notorious for smoking of marijuana, abuse of Tramadol and alcohol in Mfranor a community in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern region of Ghana where they lived.
But with the introduction of Free SHS, the two young men decided to quit their drug addiction to re-sit the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
They both passed the BECE are currently enrolled as First Year students at Anum Apapam Community Day Senior High School.
According to them, their hope of continuing their education after Junior High School some 15 years ago was dashed as a result of poverty. They therefore migrated from their Mfranor Community in the Ayensuano District to the National Capital to hustle.
Unfortunately they were lured into smoking of marijuana, abuse of tramadol and alcohol which they became addicted to.
But with the introduction of the Free Senior High School Policy, Larbi Appiah Benjamin and Joshua Ohene Arjarquah decided to take advantage to realize their academic dreams.
Currently they are pursuing Agricultural Science and General Arts.
Joseph Kwasi Amoani Sarfo a popular herbalist who rehabilitated Appiah Benjamin and his friend, Ohene Arjarquah from their drug addiction and providing support for them told Starr News’ Eastern Regional Correspondent, Kojo Ansah that, “he was motivated to support the duo after he realized they were ready to quit and go to school.”
He said, due to their drug addiction, their family members disowned them hence he is sheltering and taking care of them in School.
Appiah Benjamin, is a father to an 8-year-old class three pupil returns to farm after school to labor for his family to enable him take care of his child.
The PTA Chairman for Anum Apapam community Day SHS charged other drug addicts in the area to emulate the exemplary steps taken by Appiah Benjamin and Ohene Arjarquah.