Dorcas Naa Dedei Aryeetey

WC: Hello, could you please tell us your name and a bit about yourself.

Dorcas Hi WC I must confess that though am a bit surprised, I also feel honoured to be spotted for the personality of the week (smiling) ….my name is Dorcas Naa Dedei Aryeetey. I was born on Sunday the 9^{th of}October 1988 at KNUST Hospital to Mr Eric A.A Aryeetey( a laboratory technician at Chemistry Dept KNUST) and Mrs Vida Aryeetey (a teacher…and if you happen to find yourself admiring me for what I wear then my mum is usually the brain behind that…J ). I’m the first of five children – the second born is my one and only brother Gideon( who is currently in Hb 3) Diana just completed SHS this year then my two little sweethearts, Keren who is in Class 6 and Vanessa is in Class 4. When we are all at home, we live in a humble abode at F 27 Hall Six on KNUST Campus. I come from James Town in the Greater Accra Region though embarrassingly my understanding of the GA language outweighs my ability to speak it

WC: What traits do you believe describe who you are and what attributes would give us a good idea as to who people generally know Dorcas to be?

Dorcas: …Wow that’s a loaded question… well…I would first and foremost describe myself as…. for anyone who loves GOD and the things of GOD that person would definitely love me or like to be around me…..though I grew up as a shy and reserved young girl I have grown over the years to be a rather bold and outgoing young woman. I happen to be an individual who is very kind at heart,calm or composed most of the time,courteous,loves to help out and make things or events happen(though sometimes I like to have my way with what I get involved in and leave a trade mark of just how I can get something accomplished-good and just good like raising the standards with what I do) and i love the challenge of trying out something new likes surprises,(no pranks please…J all together am a simple person with a taste for good stuff . I have been described as versatile,organized,secretive, hardworking, choosy,friendly, lively ,up and doing, smart, caring, likes to laugh and smiles a lot of times,’ loves children, ’prim and proper’’,sometimes bossy,ambitious,respectful, a good leader, a proactive individual ,’a people person”, tolerant and………..generally I believe am a nice person with a charming personality……I guess……….(laughs out loud)

WC: Please tell us a little about your educational background.

Dorcas: I started school at the age of three at Miss Abu (a private crèche that was at Road KNUST Campus) I then proceeded to the KNUST group of schools from 1992 I schooled at KNUST Nursery then moved on to KNUST Primary and finally completed my basic education with the 2003/2004 Batch of KNUST JSS year group. Having excelled in my BECE exam I offered to read Science as a Day Student at St Louis Senior Secondary School. After which I applied for the Human Biology course and by the Grace of GOD am currently in the MBChB 2 class.

WC: You seem to have been just around KNUST and its environs

Dorcas: (laughs) oh……. NO…………my family moved from Bantama to Oforikrom when my brother was about 2 years old. We lived at Oforikrom until when I was in JSS 2 when we moved to KNUST Campus where I have been living and will leave until…… I have stayed for at least a few days in some other parts of Ghana (I like to travel around when I get the opportunity and I have stayed in Accra, Wa, been to Obuasi, Sunyani, Ashanti Mampong, some remote areas in the Ashanti Region, the Eastern Region and some other places….only for a few days though J

WC: Tell us about your Hobbies or interests

Dorcas: I like to read on a myriad of subjects of interest to me…from relationships to prayer ,leadership, varied subjects actually, I really love good music (almost all genre of Christian music from Hillsong to Joyful Way Incorporated…praise,worship ,local (a bit selective on that ) foreign, disney……..jazz) when am able to make time for that. I sort of sing in a choir, I try to be abreast with what is happening in the rest of the world outside medical school by surfing the internet check on what is going on in Ghana from myjoyonline. I watch animations, movies (no to horror or violent ones) I love my personal bible study times. I used to write though, but presently I prefer to work on projects or events. I love to cook and eat something good, travel and get to know new places, for sports I jog and am looking forward to learn how to play badminton or long tennis…….

WC: What motivated you to become a Doctor?

Dorcas: (Smiling to herself you can ask my brother this question too) but am thinking if I had not been in medical school where else would I have been …..growing up i wanted to work in the health sector ,a field where I would get to interact with new people every time make an impact in their life and enjoy the honour and privilege to do that………and………….here I am in SMS

WC: You mentioned you love projects and events what have you been involved in

Dorcas: Ok I happen to have been or was ….or I think I supposedly was a Day Student Supervisor in St Louis, I taught at a basic school during the one year break after SSS, I joined the Organising and Ushering Wing of CMF –Knust and was also on the Ushering and Decoration Team for PensaKnust. I worked with the KNUST SRC Students Volunteer Team to welcome freshers. I was on the Publicity Committee for Judah Praise 2010, Planning Committee for CMF-Kath Leavers Breakfast Meeting 2010…..and…Planning Committee for The World Heart Day Walk for 2011, I have had the privilege to do a few Radio Programs and occasionally I enjoy being the MC for some programs as well.

WC: You seem to do a lot …………..who is your inspiration……….

Dorcas: …lol….it depends on which aspect of my life for which you want to know where I draw my inspiration from…………….but generally the Proverbs 31 Woman in the bible…..my mum, Dr. Mrs. Abaidoo (am told I look like her…smiling)…Dr Mrs. Wobil…Lady Pastor Adelaide Heward –Mills……..these noble women for now….

WC: What else do you do aside the tedious life of the classroom, ward,and back to buried in books life of a medical student

Dorcas: Well currently am the Regional Coordinator for MSA- KNUST (ie am in-charge of whatever concerns our health week this year…getting slots and posting of students etc) ,I serve on the Health Committee of MSA as one of the 5 Core Assets to the Health Committee, am the Welfare Secretary of P 31 Ministries , I serve on the Welfare committee of CMF, i teach Sunday School Children ( which I consider to be an inherent part of me) whenever am able to make time for them..

WC:Some people describe SMS as a School of Minimal Sleep…..School of Stressed up Students etc. Some who are here are counting when they will just complete whilst a majority of those who are not here in Medical School want to be affiliated in one way or the other with the School or its products.What are your impressions about SMS so far?

Dorcas: SMS..well what you just expressed is true though I try to look beyond that(? Stressful…yes ?challenging….yes enjoying the prestige and fun…sometimes…but over the years I look back and its been worth the time, efforts sacrifices and long hours of study…worth…the successes and the times of having been stretched to my wits end…most importantly its been all good every step of the way (and I give all GLORY to GOD who has been my anchor)

WC: What do you like and dislike the most about SMS?

Dorcas: the challenges here

WC: What is your current grabbing Status?

Dorcas: Single

WC: Do you mind sharing your plans for the future?

Dorcas:….long term or short term………..i believe strongly that the future is bright….after SMS ….for which aspect of my life is this question directed towards………….you can sign me a check and I might consider letting you know what I hope to achieve if GOD permits and gives me the opportunity to…………..(smiling to herself)…………..but don’t be surprised if you find me working for WHO or UNICEF or……………..

WC: Any piece of advice or secret to surviving SMS you want to leave with us?

Dorcas: Secret to survive… Work hard at whatever good thing your hands find to do as if you are doing that for GOD and not man…..this includes working at every aspect of your life Philippians 4:13-14 says that But one thing I do ; forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which GOD has called me heaven wards in Christ Jesus…Amen

And my advice…not for SMS alone but for your life I will reiterate the words of the wisest man in Ecclesiastes 11: 9 (Be happy young man, while you are young and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth . Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see but know that for all these things GOD will bring you to judgement………………..and Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the whole matter FEAR GOD and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man…..

WC: Wow……words of a noble young woman…..thank you for sharing and allowing us to peek into your life!

Dorcas : (Smiling)…..You’re welcome and thank you for asking me to be the personality of the week…………this has been a long chat though I think I need a drink………….or what do you think…………..lol

WC: Great minds think alike…lool!!