Solomon Asare, a JHS 3 pupil dexterously runs a razor blade firmly placed on a comb through the hair of pupils in turns to give them clean hair-cut.

Amid chatting and laughter, about ten boys wait anxiously to have their turn, not in a barbering shop; but under a big tree – on the Asem M/A Boys Basic campus in Kumasi.

I call him the Student Barber but the 17-year old pupil who is affectionately known among his student-customers as Solo offers free haircut services to his peers under a tree where natural air is free.

He ensures each client perfectly gets a cut to suit their style and specification.

All it takes for one to enjoy the services of Solo is to provide a razor blade and a comb. 

Beaming with smiles, the relaxed mood of the students give the casual observer an indication this is routine, having enjoyed this service for free for at least 4-years.

“This is not the first time”. Reuben Takyi, a beneficiary of Solo’s escapade confirmed to me during a visit to the school.

Apparently, this is an usual activity on Fridays when school is not in session.

But courtesy Wednesday’s nationwide demonstration by organized labour, some of the students took advantage of the absence of their teachers to have their hair cut to enable them look decent.

Farid Adams, a final -year student, is one of the ‘lucky’ ones to have the free service as their teachers left them in the lurch.

He sits comfortably and engages in a hearty chat with Solo who combines fun with concentration to give his colleague a good look.

“None of us here bother ourselves to visit the barbering shop to have our hair cut because Solo is good”.  Adams insisted.

For Adams, he only visits the barbering shop to pay for similar services during vacation when Solo is not available.

Solo has been barbering his school mates since Primary Six, at least four years now. In a soft voice, he revealed how he started exhibiting his talent in what has become his hobby now by cutting his younger sister, Adjoa’s hair.

His sister had spent money given to her by their mother on food instead of having her hair cut. In order to save her from her mother’s fury, Solo stepped in to assume the role of a barber on a rescue mission.

Though his sister didn’t get the perfect hair cut she had hoped for, it was the beginning of Solo’s cherished hobby.

According to him, he learnt the trade by observing a professional barber inhis Sepe-Buokrom neighbourhood.

The fifth of seven children of his parents, Solo is very selfless from all indication, at least, from his gesture of cutting his colleagues’ hair without taking a pesewa from them.

Short and energetic looking, he wants to join the military to defend mother Ghana.

For someone who comes from a poor family, so to speak, one would think he will be making money by commercializing his barbering services.

Surprisingly, the reverse is the case. He is now the unofficial barber for his family and school mates.

At Asem Boys Basic School, for one to have their bushy hair cut to a pleasant and good-looking shape, just buy a brand new razor blade and a comb; wait and hear ‘Thank God, it’s Friday’ , and Solo is ready to make you a model.