Efua Nuamah Thompson

WC: Hello, could you please tell us your name and a bit about yourself, family, where you live, hometown, description of your traits and attributes, likes and dislikes?

ENF – My name is Efua Nuamah Thompson. I am a Fante from Cape Coast. I’m from a family of four. My parents are both teachers. We’re two girls and I’m the first. We live in Cape Coast. I’m a Christian. I’m more of an introvert. I like honest and sincere people, and I love kids too.

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

ENF: I attended University Primary and JSS, Cape Coast. Then, I went to Wesley Girls’ High School.

WC: Hobbies?

ENF: I love reading, writing and singing.

WC: What motivated you to become a Doctor?

ENF: The initial inspiration came from admiration for a family friend, who is a doctor. What spurs me on now is the fact that I am sure that this is what God wants me to do.

WC: What are your impressions about SMS so far?

ENF Well, I know that SMS is famous for academic pressure … People hear of SMS and, you I believe SMS is a training ground for life … the academic work alone drives you to be disciplined (because you have to manage your time very well), teaches you humility (because you realize that you are not self sufficient or the best student there ever was), and it also teaches you to fear God (because it becomes clear that without Him, your personal efforts to make it are just puny).

Personally, I believe the effect of the training could be good or bad – we could follow academic pressure and forget about God, get embittered by the suffering we see and deny His existence, get religious so He’ll help us pass very well or use the time we have to really get to know Him. It all depends on our response to the pressure.

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

ENF: One thing I have come to appreciate is the opportunity to have hands - on experience of what we study on the ward. An exchange student made me realize that it is not really possible to get that in their part of the world. I also like our lecturers’ dedication too. One other thing I like is that, the academic pressure over here is not as evident as it is in at least 2 other medical schools I know of (to the best of my knowledge.) This is seen in the number of activities organized for students.

I have not particularly thought of any dislikes… Perhaps we could work at getting better acquainted with the Allied Health students, since we will be working together with them in the not so distant future.

WC: What is your current grabbing Status?

ENF: My current grabbing status … I am single.

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

ENF: Well, after here, I would like to specialize and it’s very likely that I’ll be something related to pediatrics … the decision is yet to be fully made. I do plan to write stories for children, articles and scripts for plays and other such things.

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

ENF: There is an underlying reason for being in SMS, and eventually, being doctors. Once God brought us here, there’s something he wants us to learn and do. No matter how tough the going may get, we should rest in Him and make the most of each day. Wallowing in self – pity and depression will make us miss out on all the good we should encounter or do. Making ourselves intellectual giants without regard for God will bring us down … if not here, maybe later on in life. Our success would be to know what God wants us to do and get it done; no matter what may come up.