A medical student in Havana, Cuba, has revealed some of the challenges Ghanaians face during their studies on the island.

Born Emmanuel Dwumfour-Poku, and popularly called KJ., he spoke to Prince Benjamin (PB) on Accra 100.5 FM’s Entertainment Capital.

KJ. pointed out, “Cuba is a hub for many medically trained doctors in Ghana. Some come here to specialise, while others begin afresh.”

He revealed when he arrived in Cuba in 2019, as part of a batch of students who were “170 in all,” he observed “about 120 medically trained doctors were leaving to Ghana”.

However, he said it was common for students to drop out due to a number of challenges, including the “very difficult” nature of the medicine course, being away from their home country, and the language.

“Cubans speak Spanish. You’ll be taught in Spanish, you’ll write exams in Spanish, your practical exams will be in Spanish – these things make people lose their passion and stop pursuing their medical dreams,” KJ. said.

| Emmanuel Dwumfour-Poku, alias KJ.

In August 2022, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Education (MoE), Divine Yao Ayidzoe, announced the ministry would no longer send Ghanaian medical students to Cuba. According to him, the students were unable to communicate and understand the Spanish language, posing a huge difficulty to their medical studies in Cuba.

"When I went to Cuba, my students there were struggling to learn the Spanish. So we (MoE) have resolved that we are sending no more students there. We will rather arrange for the [Cuban] professors to come and teach the medicine in English in Ghana," Yao Ayidzoe noted at a public lecture organised by the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast, Central region.

KJ., also, noted there were Ghanaians studying other courses, and in Cuba for varied reasons, that were beyond his scope of knowledge and experience.

Amidst recent hurricane attacks in Cuba, KJ. has been selfless in his service to victims of the natural disaster.

Meanwhile, if he is not studying or practicing in his pursuit of a medicine degree, KJ. sings and writes music. 

“I’m just a man trying to heal the world with good music one verse at a time,” he sums up his mission.

Inspired by Kojo Antwi, KJ.’s latest song, Head Above Water, notes the struggles of a young man who feels drained from life and demands from family and love. The chorus captures his grandparent offering him counsel to calm his heart and help him stay afloat in the chaotic waters around him.