Miss Afulani had her basic education at the Presbyterian Primary and Junior Secondary School in Bolgatanga. Her potential for academic excellence manifested at the Junior Secondary School level when she emerged as winner of the President’s Independence Day award for basic school graduates in 1995. Miss Afulani proceeded to the Navrongo Secondary School for her secondary education in the same year.

In August 1999, she gained admission to the University of Ghana and after successfully passing her exams in the basic sciences she entered the University of Ghana Medical School in 2001. Today, she stands tall as the first female from the FRAFRA speaking area to qualify as a medical doctor.

It is particularly gratifying to note that Miss Afulani did not only qualify as a medical doctor, she also won three of the prestigious academic prizes: the Nana Wereko Ampem II prize for the best student in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology; the Lucy Peprah prize for the best female student in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology and the overall best student in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

After several decades of formal education in Ghana, it is only in the 21st Century that an entire traditional area covering three districts – Bongo, Bolgatanga and Talensi-Nabdam – has been able to produce a female medical doctor, at least locally. While this ‘achievement’ may be characterized as unique and worth celebrating, it also brings to the fore the challenges facing education in this part of the country.

The parents gave the background to Dr. Afulani’s admission as follows: One Professor Aryettey of the Medical School was attending a fuction in Bongo which was being chaired by Miss Afulani's father. During his speech, Prof. Aryettey prayed that he would be glad to have any of the girls from such a deprived area qualify to study Medicine. Mr. Afulani (the Chairman) then indicated that his daughter had just completed the Senior Secondary School and was awaiting her results. Prof. Aryettey then requested that the girl's results should be forwarded to him when they became available.

Even though then Miss Afulani passed her exams, it took the initiative of Prof. Aryettey to ensure her admission into the Medical School. In addition, the Prof and his family mostly took care of Miss Afulani throughout her training. The family and Bonaboto in general thank Prof and his family for the wonderful input into the making of our first female medical officer in Ghana.

Our call for the British and Ghanaian governments to bridge the educational gap between the north and the south is easily justified by this achievement of Dr. Afulani which was realized by the contribution of Prof. Aryettey from the south. Let us have more of the type of Prof Aryettey.

Congratulations to Dr. Patience Afualni, the illustrious daughter of Sambo’ologo. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Afulani for the unflinching support accorded this noble lady in her education. “YINE TARA YA SONGA"