17-Year-Old Ghanaian Mathematician Breaks Records, Pursues PhD in the US

Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa, an extraordinary mathematics prodigy from Ghana, has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest Bachelor’s degree holder in her country at the age of 17. Born in 2004, Ruth commenced her university education at the early age of 13, enrolling in the Bachelor’s degree program in Mathematics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Despite the complexities associated with mathematics, Ruth earned Second-Class honors, a testament to her exceptional intellect. Professor Abeiku Akora-Prah, the Head of the Department of Mathematics at KNUST, lauded her success, describing it as exceptional and highlighting the challenging nature of the course.

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The university's public relations officer emphasized Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa's historic achievement as the youngest graduate from the institution, contributing significantly to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiative and promoting gender balance.

Ruth's father, Kwadwo Gyan-Darkwa, revealed that she has secured admission to a United States university for her Master's and PhD degrees. At the age of 18, Ruth has now been admitted to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of New Mexico, with aspirations to work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

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Expressing her joy, Ruth sees herself as a role model, breaking gender stereotypes and inspiring younger generations worldwide. Her academic journey continues to defy age norms, reinforcing the potential of young minds to excel in demanding fields.