Ever wondered what it’s like to be a student in Ghana? From the buzzing schoolyards to early morning trotro rides, a typical school day here is full of energy, discipline, and determination. Let’s take a walk in the shoes of Kwame, a 14-year-old junior high school student living in Accra.
5:30 AM – Rise and Shine
Kwame’s day starts early. By 5:30 AM, he’s already up. His mom calls out his name from the kitchen as the smell of hot cocoa fills the house. He quickly gets ready, helps sweep the compound, and eats a light breakfast — usually bread and tea or some leftover waakye (a popular rice-and-beans dish).
6:30 AM – The Commute
By 6:30 AM, Kwame is off to school. He hops on a trotro (a local minibus) packed with people heading to work or school. Sometimes, he walks if the traffic is heavy. The roads are dusty, and the sun’s already out, but he chats with friends along the way, laughing about yesterday’s football game.
7:30 AM – Assembly Time
At school, the day starts with morning assembly. All the students line up in neat rows by class. They sing the national anthem and recite the school pledge. A teacher gives a short motivational talk — sometimes a Bible verse, sometimes a reminder to stay disciplined. Afterward, it’s off to class.
8:00 AM – Lessons Begin
Classes start promptly. Kwame studies core subjects like Mathematics, English, Integrated Science, and Social Studies. The classrooms are simple — wooden desks, chalkboards, and ceiling fans (that sometimes work). But what the school lacks in luxury, it makes up for in strong discipline and hardworking teachers.
12:30 PM – Lunch Break
Lunch is often homemade. Kwame pulls out a small container of jollof rice his mom packed for him. Some students buy food from nearby vendors — maybe kenkey and fish or fried yam with pepper sauce. After eating, there’s some time to relax, play football, or read under a tree.
1:30 PM – More Lessons & Test Prep
After lunch, the afternoon continues with more subjects — maybe Religious and Moral Education or ICT. As exams approach, there’s a lot of revision and group discussions. Teachers often give past questions to help students prepare.
3:30 PM – Heading Home
By 3:30 PM, it’s time to go home. The journey back is a mix of tired bodies and noisy traffic. Kwame stops by a roadside kiosk to buy airtime for his mom or a chilled sachet of water (called “pure water”) to cool off.
5:00 PM – Homework & Chores
Back home, it’s not all rest. Kwame helps fetch water, sweeps the compound again, and then settles down to do his homework. If the lights go off (which happens sometimes), he studies with a rechargeable lamp or candlelight.
9:00 PM – Bedtime
After dinner — maybe banku and okro soup — Kwame winds down. He might watch a little TV if there’s light or chat with his siblings before finally heading to bed.
Being a student in Ghana isn’t always easy, but it’s full of resilience, laughter, and community spirit. From early mornings to late-night study sessions, students like Kwame are chasing their dreams one day at a time.
