By Peter Agengre
A previously healthy 9-year-old girl was taken to the Maritime Hospital in Accra with the inability to walk or bear weight on her legs. The little girl was taken through a therapeutic course to help her learn how to walk. That was in June 2021 when Upper East Regional Correspondent Peter Agengre broke the story of how little Agnes Mba is chasing her dreams by crawling 1.5 kilometers daily on a rough road to Dasabligo Primary School in the Nabdam District.
Since she was born, Agnes has never walked but only crawled. The general public came in with financial support for Agnes to go for medical attention. Ghanaian businessman and economist Dr. Kofi Amoah also made a cash donation of GHc25 000.00 to the Agnes Mba Foundation, which catered for her medical bills, accommodation, feeding, transportation, and other expenses in Accra and back home in the Upper East Region. She practiced moving her limbs with the support of an Ankle Foot Orthosis.
Today, Agnes has recovered, if not fully, but is doing better than she was 3 years ago. Now in Primary 5, Agnes walks on her own with the aid of a walking stick and sometimes without the walking aid. When GBCNews visited Dasabligo Primary School, Agnes was seen busily studying with her colleagues, wearing a cheerful and social disposition.
“My name is Agnes Mba. I am in P. 5, and I always learn Maths and English in the class. Now, I can walk from my house and come to school. Thank you!” Agnes told GBCNews.
The current staff of the school had no knowledge how Agnes started until they saw the GTV report of how Agnes used to crawl to school. They were amazed at the transformation after the report went viral bringing support and improving her health. The head teacher, Mr. Thomas Atongo said.
“I can see a lot of improvement in her. You can see that she can walk, even sometimes she walks without her walking aid. I think with time she will be fine.” Mr. Atongo explained.
Her class teacher madam Vidza Peace indicated that, “Agnes is doing well in the class too. She writes very well and participates very well in class activities. Agnes only needs to be fed well so that she can get healthy and stronger.” Madam Peace indicated.
Mr. Francis Sapaat from the District office of the Ghana Education Service, Nabdam, expressed his appreciation to all individuals who saw the need to come to the aid of little Agnes. According to him, Agnes has a future and must be guided and well taken care of to realize her dreams.
