Ayisha Ibrahim, a 61-year-old woman from Wa, Ghana, has lived a life marked by determination and resilience. Born on November 25, 1964, Ayisha was not born blind, but her sight began to deteriorate at a young age due to a condition described as "nimbi bulli," later understood to be cataracts. Despite treatment, her sight continued to worsen, and she eventually lost her vision. However, this did not deter her from pursuing her education and achieving great success.
Ayisha's educational journey began at a regular public school, where she was considered a bright pupil and skipped several classes. She attended Middle Form Four in 1976, but her condition worsened, making everyday tasks challenging. She was admitted to a hospital, where she spent seven months, and doctors concluded that she would become blind. This turning point could have been discouraging, but a social welfare officer encouraged her to continue her education.
In 1978, Ayisha began attending a school for the blind to learn Braille, a decision that changed the course of her life. Her parents initially resisted, but eventually allowed her to go. After learning Braille for a year, Ayisha proceeded to secondary education and later entered teacher training. She became a teacher and continued studying while working, eventually obtaining a diploma and degree from the University of Education, Winneba.
Ayisha's career progressed from teaching to management, and in 2018, she applied for a directorship position in the Ghana Education Service, passing the selection process to become a Deputy Regional Director. She was later appointed District Director of Education for Wa East in 2019, a position she held until her retirement on November 25, 2024. Throughout her career, Ayisha has been committed to supporting students, particularly those with disabilities.
One of the most significant challenges Ayisha faced was when she applied to head the School for the Blind in 2013. Despite qualifying and receiving an appointment letter, she was told that, as a Muslim, she could not head the Methodist School for the Blind. The position eventually went to another person, but Ayisha chose to stay and continue supporting the students. She established a reading club, which encouraged children to read twice a week, and enlisted sighted teachers to read to the students.
Ayisha's advocacy for persons with disabilities has also been a significant part of her life. In 2000, she became involved with Action on Disability and Development and helped establish a radio programme on disability issues. She later rose through the leadership of the Ghana Blind Union, serving as regional secretary, coordinator of the women's wing, national honorary treasurer, and vice president before becoming national president in 2014.
Today, Ayisha continues to make a positive impact, having established Sky Limit Preparatory School in 2014, which has grown from a creche to junior high school. She proudly recalls two sets of pupils achieving 100 per cent results in their final examinations and hopes to add more classrooms and eventually develop the school into a boarding or secondary school.
Key points
- Ayisha Ibrahim's determination and resilience have enabled her to overcome adversity and achieve great success in her education and career.
