Rosa Monique, a Ghanaian lady living with systemic scleroderma, has opened up about being denied a PhD scholarship at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) due to her health condition.
Systemic scleroderma is a rare chronic disease characterized by widespread fibrosis and abnormalities in the skin, joints, and internal organs.
In a video on X, Rosa said she applied for a PhD programme at KNUST in 2020 and was shortlisted for a scholarship. She attended the scholarship interview and confidently answered all the questions posed to her.
However, during the session, the panel chair informed her that her health condition would hinder her ability to complete the program, effectively ending her chances of securing the scholarship. Despite the setback, Rosa did not allow this discrimination to deter her.
She applied for a Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) scholarship and received a completely different experience. At GNPC, she was warmly received, her potential was acknowledged, and she successfully secured funding for her academic pursuits.
Her story has sparked conversations online, with many expressing solidarity and calling for policies that eliminate discrimination in academia and beyond.
Watch the video below
