THE GEM

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He hails from a small Ga community called La. His name is Nii Obodai Torgbor Ashong. He spent most of his life with his grandmother since his parents died at a very tender age. He living with a grandmother who did not know the value of education is a struggle. Becoming a driver is the best profession a person could think of. For that matter, Gabriel had to become one according his grandmother. Because of his mediocrity, he was always chalking the first from the bottom when it comes to exams and his performance is nothing to write home about.

Thanks to one of his teachers who saw the need to be of assistance to him by choosing him to partake in a workshop organized for brilliant students. Other teachers were against his participation but God being on his side, he was allowed to take part. Life was very difficult since his caretaker is only a petty trader but he managed to surmount every obstacle to go through school. He never spoke correct English and pronouncing some words was a challenge. He was captured on a program on Uniiq FM struggling to pronounce the word 'Pornography'. Through all these, he never gave up. Gabriel finally found himself in the Ghana Institute of Journalism as his dream is always to become a journalist.

Life in GIJ was not an easy one. Through his effort, he co founded Keteke Ghana, a well known humanitarian club in GIJ. Since he was fresh student, those who were ahead of him decide to sabotage him but his God was on his side. By the help of some friends, he would organize humanitarian trips to the outskirts of Accra targeting one community called Obitikrom. This outreach programme has actually gone a long way in improving the lives of the villagers. Through this, the only school in the village had received an accreditation from Ghana Education Service and a teacher had been posted there. Keteke had also provided the school with teaching and learning materials. Also, the villagers were taken through some skills training in doormat making. The chiefs in the village were enlightened on the need to educate their wards.

Through his Keteke project, he was chosen by the British Council to attend its global change makers youth summit in london. he was also the student ambassador for google.