Overcoming life's challenges
If character means never giving in to adversity, then Kwesi Baffoe may be one of the most impressive characters on campus. Armed with a doctorate in Constitutional and Aboriginal Law, this ever-smiling student’s graduation this year, caps decades of academic achievement in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
Baffoe’s first challenge came when he was forced out of engineering studies after a military coup in his native Ghana. He reregistered in medicine, only to be forced out again after a second coup. He finally settled on dentistry, which gave him the opportunity to study in Canada.
After graduating from dental school, Baffoe joined a dental practice serving remote native reserves north of The Pas, Manitoba. He eventually took over the practice, buying a small plane, which he piloted to the reserves to perform his dental work.
Life took another unexpected turn when Baffoe accidentally lost his vision. Forced to contemplate another career path, he chose law. "My experience treating native people sparked an interest in learning more about their history and how the law could be used to improve their lives," he says.
Baffoe’s doctoral thesis takes a fresh look at Aboriginal self-government issues by comparing the post-colonial experiences of Canada’s native population with those of people in post-colonial Ghana, presenting insights he hopes will move discussion of Aboriginal self-determination forward.
Baffoe says his academic experience has been greatly enhanced by the university’s Access Service, which has assisted him with everything from campus mobility to voice recognition software. "I wouldn’t have made it without their support," he says.
So what are Dr. Baffoe’s future plans? "Nothing definite," he says with a grin. "I’m happy to take things one day at a time."
By Greg Higgins
Published: June 2010