They Said It Was Too Late I Went Anyway

 By Shine Esi Kwawukumey 

Shine Esi Kwawukumey 

There are stories of people who succeed because the road was smooth.

Then, there are stories like mine that remind us that the strongest people are often those who have walked the roughest paths.

On Friday, June 19, 2026, I graduated from Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, earning a Second Class Upper Division.

To many, it was another graduation ceremony.

But to me, it was the fulfilment of a dream that had waited nearly two decades.

It was a testimony of faith, resilience, consistency and the grace of God.

It was a dream delayed, not denied

After completing senior secondary school in 2006, I looked forward to continuing my education at the university.

But life had other plans.

Financial hardship and family responsibilities meant that university had to wait.

Instead of entering a lecture hall, I entered the world of work.

I took on administrative roles, sales positions and communications jobs, working tirelessly to support myself and the people I love.

Although life demanded that I earn a living, one dream refused to leave my heart.

I wanted to return to school.

Not because I believed a degree defined success.

But because I believed education would make me a better communicator, a better leader and a better contributor to society.

Over the years, I refused to remain stagnant.

I earned an Executive Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, pursued several professional courses, built years of experience in broadcasting, administration and communications.

In 2016 established Kerkz Kreationz, an events planning, management and decoration company, following the work experience I had acquired.

Yet, despite my achievements, one goal remained unfinished.

I still wanted my university degree.

Questions and comments came from people within my own circle.

“You’re too old. Focus on something else.”

When I finally decided to pursue that dream, support did not come easily.

Some questioned my decision.

Others laughed.

Some advised me to forget about school altogether.

“What are you going back to school to do?”

“You already own a business.”

“This is the time to get married and raise children.”

“People have master’s degrees and are unemployed.”

“What difference will the degree you are going to earn make?”

The more I spoke about returning to school, the more reasons people gave me not to do so.

Slowly, the weight of those words began to affect me.

For a moment, it seemed as though the dream I had carried for years might finally slip away.

An invitation that changed everything

Just when hope was beginning to fade, help arrived in an unexpected way.

Ernestina Dzifa Akoto

My friend, Ernestina Dzifa Akoto, invited me to attend a Law Dinner and Awards Night at Zenith University College.

At first, it seemed like just another event.

But before the evening ended, it had become one of the defining moments of my life.

Among those honoured that night was an elderly woman, well over 50 years old, who was being celebrated for her resilience, consistency and determination in pursuing education despite her age.

As I watched her receive her award, something stirred within me.

I saw more than an award recipient.

I saw possibility.

I saw proof that dreams have no expiration date.

I realised that if a woman in her 50s could persevere and be celebrated for refusing to give up, then I had no excuse to abandon my own dream.

That evening rekindled a fire that discouragement had almost extinguished.

Looking back today, I believe that invitation was no coincidence.

I believe God used Ernestina to place me exactly where I needed to be, at exactly the right time.

The event became a reminder that delayed dreams are still worth pursuing.

One sentence that became a promise

Soon afterwards, I shared my desire to return to school with a family friend, Mr. Seth Kwakye, who I affectionately call Uncle Seth.

Mr. Seth Kwakye

After listening quietly, he simply said:

“Shine, if you want to go to school, you will go and you will complete.”

It was not validation I needed.

I already knew what I wanted.

But sometimes, one encouraging voice is enough to silence a hundred discouraging ones.

I believe God used him too.

Those words became a promise I carried with me throughout my university journey.

Starting again after nearly two decades

Walking into a university classroom after being away from formal education for almost 20 years was intimidating.

Nothing came easily.

I attended evening lectures.

I worked during the day.

I managed my business.

I accepted freelance jobs whenever necessary.

Assignments, examinations, work deadlines and business commitments, all competed for my time.

The pressure was overwhelming.

After my first semester, the results were disappointing.

Three Cs.

Two Bs.

One D.

I cried.

I questioned myself.

Perhaps, everyone had been right after all.

Once again, Uncle Seth reminded me that growth takes time.

He asked me one simple question.

“When was the last time you sat in a classroom before now?”

He reminded me that many younger students who had just completed senior high school did not perform any better.

He told me he was proud, not because of my grades, but because I had the courage to begin.

He encouraged me to thank God, work harder and keep going.

I never forgot those words.

Instead of giving up, I became more determined.

Semester after semester, I improved.

Along that journey, I was also blessed with a classmate who became much more than a friend.

 

Doreen Afriyie Antwi

Doreen Afriyie Antwi became a sister to me. Throughout our years at Wisconsin International University College, she supported me in ways I never expected. 

Whether through her words of encouragement, her willingness to help, or simply being there when the demands of work, business and school became overwhelming, she reminded me that I did not have to carry the journey alone. 

Looking back, I believe God placed her in my life for a reason. Just as He used Ernestina Dzifa Akoto to rekindle my dream of returning to school and Uncle Seth Kwakye to encourage me to persevere, He also used Doreen to strengthen me throughout my university journey. 

I will always be grateful for her friendship, kindness and unwavering support.

Four years later, I graduated with a Second Class Upper Division.

The classroom lesson I never expected

University taught me communication theories, media law, public relations and journalism.

It also taught me resilience.

In my first year, a lecturer asked me a question in class.

I admitted that I did not know the answer.

Instead of using the moment to teach, the lecturer publicly embarrassed me, telling me that I did not deserve to be in university.

The humiliation could have ended my academic journey before it had truly begun.

It did not.

Not long afterwards, a fellow student I had hoped to study with dismissed me, saying I knew nothing because I spent too much time working instead of studying.

Those experiences hurt deeply.

But they also taught me one important lesson.

Never assume that someone’s smile means life is easy.

Many people carry silent battles.

Some are fighting financial hardship.

Others are balancing work, family and education.

Many smile because giving up is not an option.

Finding mentors who believed in me

If some encounters tested my spirit, others strengthened it.

Mr. Kofi Yeboah

Among those I am most grateful for is Mr. Kofi Yeboah, former General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association and one of my lecturers.

As my Media Law and News Reporting & Writing lecturer, he challenged us to think beyond examinations.

His assignments often continued during vacations.

One of those assignments inspired me to create Tulips of Herald, a storytelling platform dedicated to culture, identity, journalism and social issues.

Beyond the classroom, he became a mentor, a father-figure and a boss whose guidance helped shape my professional growth.

Professor Kwame Karikari

I also owe a great deal to Professor Kwame Karikari, whose passion for reading inspired me to become a lifelong learner.

Even while outside Ghana, he would send me reading materials late at night and later ask questions to ensure I had understood them.

His constant reminder was simple:

“Read”.

“Keep reading”.

“Knowledge comes from reading”.

Dr. Sika Jacobs-Quashie

Another lecturer who left a lasting impact on me was Dr. Sika Jacobs-Quashie, who invited me to her office and later her home to guide me academically after a difficult semester.

Those conversations helped me avoid repeating previous mistakes and significantly improved my performance the following semester.

These lecturers reminded me that teaching extends beyond lectures.

It is about believing in students before they fully believe in themselves.

Building a career before earning the degree

Long before collecting my bachelor’s degree, I had already built a career.

I worked in broadcasting with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, producing and presenting radio programmes.

I served in administrative and communications roles across several organisations.

I worked with the Ghana Journalists Association, supporting the General Secretary while contributing to election media monitoring during Ghana’s 2024 General Election.

Through Kerkz Kreationz, I have spent nearly a decade planning and managing events.

My passion for environmental communication earned me the Future Communicators Foundation Scholarship for a climate campaign titled “Flood-Free Zone for Accra.”

As I approached graduation, I was selected as a Fellow of the Next Generation of Investigative Journalists programme under the auspices of the Media Foundation for West Africa.

Today, I am undertaking my national service at the Ghana News Agency as a reporter and member of the agency’s Social Media Management Team.

More than qualifications

For me, success is not measured only by certificates.

It is measured by impact.

Whether through journalism, storytelling, podcasting, environmental reporting, cultural preservation, or entrepreneurship, I believe communication should educate, inspire and transform lives.

My mission is simple:

To tell stories that matter.

To amplify voices that often go unheard.

To preserve culture.

To hold institutions accountable.

And to use communication as a force for positive change.

A message to educators

Reflecting on my journey, I have one heartfelt appeal to lecturers and those who aspire to teach.

Never underestimate the power of your words.

A lecturer’s encouragement can shape a student’s future.

Likewise, humiliation can leave scars that last for years.

Every student arrives in class carrying a story that may never be visible.

Some have travelled long roads to get there.

Some have sacrificed careers, comfort and financial security.

Some are smiling through pain.

Education should challenge students intellectually while preserving their dignity.

The classroom should be a place where people discover their potential not where they lose confidence in themselves.

Looking ahead

Today, I stand as a journalist, storyteller, entrepreneur, communications professional and graduate.

My journey has taught me that life is not a race with others.

It is a commitment to becoming who God created me to be, regardless of how long it takes.

Looking back, I no longer see the years before university as lost time.

I see preparation.

Every job taught me responsibility.

Every setback strengthened my resilience.

Every discouraging voice deepened my determination.

Every mentor expanded my vision.

Every challenge prepared me for purpose.

The little girl who once watched opportunity slip away has become a woman whose story now inspires others to believe that delayed dreams are not cancelled dreams.

If my journey teaches anything, it is this:

Sometimes, all it takes to change a life is one encouraging sentence, one unexpected invitation, one mentor who believes in you, unwavering faith in God, and the courage to keep going when everyone else says: “it is too late”.