HILTON THEOPHILUS PAYE graduated with a BSc in Environmental Science from the University of Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana, on November 8, 2024, with a 3.8 GPA in Renewable Natural Resources Management. A true champion!
In September 2025, Hilton will begin a six-month postgraduate diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), supported by a scholarship from a lecturer he’s worked with. He plans to work with mining companies and environmental engineering agencies while continuing to help others.
Hilton’s Testimony: “I grew up with my uncle, a contractor in Firestone, who passed away during the Ebola period in April 2014. Whilst he was alive, I learned painting, which helped me earn extra money. After he passed, things became very hard. I spent most of my savings on school, rent, and food. Eventually, I decided to move to Ghana with the little money I had to access better education and hoped to return to Liberia as a better person to give back to my family and society. My uncle took care of me from a young age after my biological parents separated long before he died. I arrived in Ghana on April 27, 2015, without knowing anyone and survived only by God’s grace. I slept under bridges, in chop bars, and on people’s porches, sometimes being mistaken for a thief. I swept market grounds for food and sometimes had none, resorting to roasting cassava and palm nuts. I often slept on market tables. During the day, I preached and met Viola Kannah, who introduced me to Pastor Emmanuel and Mother Jarbah, both from my tribe. Pastor Emmanuel gave me clothes and allowed me to sleep in his room while he was on campus. I washed clothes, painted, and taught children to support myself. Thanks to God, I performed well in high school and was assisted by teachers who helped me register as a local student at the university, as international student fees were too high. I placed 4th in the Central Region for the national debate and served as a poet for the Accra International Books Festival, which was held annually until the pandemic. I wish to complete my education and return to Liberia, but I don’t want to struggle now and later. Above all, God is faithful. Jesus Christ is the one true God. He has made a way in unexplainable situations. What I’ve been through cannot be fully explained, but God’s been faithful.”
Recent picture of Hilton!
Hilton studied “Phytoremediation” as a reduction methodology; where he used some aquatic plants that feed on mercury. He stated, “I’m sure I can secure the objectives without much damage to the already damaged water system there. He also mentioned, “After the Lab analysis, we will do another production but with the modernized system method, to identify which methods have higher performance in soil nutrition, PH, WHC or Seedlings Germination.”
During his university years, he organized a Literacy Competition for high schools in Northern Ghana to help transform the region’s education system. This was truly remarkable!
