The young Rastafarian, Tyrone Marhguy, who faced significant controversy after being denied admission to Achimota School due to his dreadlocks, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and academic commitment.
On the 19th of December, Tyrone achieved outstanding success in the West African Senior Secondary School Examinations (WASSCE), securing an impressive 8 As.
This notable accomplishment is the culmination of a challenging journey that attracted widespread attention due to the highly publicized rejection of his school admission.
The incident sparked a nationwide debate on discrimination and, ultimately, resulted in a landmark court victory not only for Marhguy but also for his fellow students.
In an enlightening interview with Caleb Kudah on Citi TV, Marhguy shared insights into his mindset during the admission rejection.
He emphasized that he refused to be discouraged and focused on the potential for positive change.
“I don’t know if it was supposed to [be] but what I told myself was that, that was not the time. Because I know that certain things can be changed. If you sit around telling yourself this and that, do you want to cry or what? That was one. And I also think that the support from my parent and family was very essential.”
“We kind of pride ourselves on the schools we went to so they will come and tell you some guy from my school that Bencher got 8As. So they came to call me and when I went, they were all ready and cameras were on.”
“Even in the BECE I kind of write the scores I think I will get and then hope to get because I wrote it. So to be honest I got 7As there was a B somewhere, English.”
“Within the school, one thing I couldn’t do was go to the dining hall. I grew into the Achimota community because we see you and yes we acknowledge unlike first who is the rasta guy. I am not an introvert.”
“In terms of Ghana, it is Ashesi, it is Academic City. In terms of courses, it is Computer Science or Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering. I also like Columbia, Harvard, MIT and then Cornell.”
Tyrone acknowledged the crucial role played by the unwavering support of his parents and family in navigating the adversity.
Reflecting on the moment he checked his results, Marhguy expressed a mix of emotions, considering the challenges he had overcome.
His school community, recognizing his achievements, took pride in his success, creating a sense of accomplishment. Cameras were ready to capture the celebratory atmosphere, highlighting the significance of his academic triumph.
Even during the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Marhguy maintained a proactive approach, setting expectations for his grades and then working towards achieving them.
While achieving an impressive 7 As, he acknowledged a slight setback in English with a B grade.
Addressing the adjustments in his social life resulting from the admission controversy, Marhguy shared that he transitioned from being an extroverted person to more of an introvert.
However, he conveyed that over time, the Achimota community gradually accepted him for who he was, moving beyond initial perceptions as “the Rasta guy.”Looking ahead to tertiary education, Marhguy expressed interest in pursuing fields such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
He mentioned several prestigious institutions, including Ashesi and Academic City in Ghana, along with internationally renowned universities like Columbia, Harvard, MIT, and Cornell.
Despite the challenges he faced, Marhguy’s story reflects not just personal triumph but also the broader societal discourse on inclusivity and diversity in educational institutions.