A Ghanaian scholar, George Asiamah, has shared his inspiring journey from academic failure and personal hardship in 2003 to earning a PhD in 2018.
He describes the transformation as a “15-year walk from grass to grace.”
The story begins in 2003, a year marked by what he calls “chains”—a metaphor for the setbacks and failures that threatened to define his future.
By his account, the turning point came in 2007-2008, when he made a quiet but resolute decision to pick up the pieces of his life and refuse to let failure be his final chapter.
He explains that despite shame and discouragement, he chose to persevere. This period of self-reflection and determination laid the foundation for his eventual academic and personal success.
Today, he looks back with gratitude, saluting his younger self for the courage to keep going when hope seemed lost.
He wrote in a Facebook Post:
From F in chains in 2003… to a PhD Scholarship in 2018 – The 15-Year Walk from Grass to Grace!
If you ask me now how I made it… I will say, all credit to the 2007-2008 version of me. The one who picked up the broken pieces, dusted off the shame, and quietly decided that failure was not going to be his final chapter.
He understood that even after the world had written him off, he still held the pen.
And with trembling hands, he began to rewrite it.
Today, I salute him.
Because without that version of me, this one would never exist.
So, if you’re holding a broken script right now – just know that your story isn’t over. You can still change the plot.
___
One day, I will tell you the full story – But for now, enjoy the pieces!
