She entered the University at age 13, now Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa is the youngest graduating student from KNUST

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at its 55th Congregation Ceremony has graduated the youngest student who was admitted into the University in 2017.

Miss Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa, who now holds a BSc. Mathematics degree made waves when she was announced the first youngest student ever to be admitted into the University at age 13. This spectacular achievement brought her into the limelight creating a lot of public interest in her story.

According to her, she passed her Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at age 9, while in her first year at Justice International School in Kumasi. As a result, at the age of 10, she was accepted into St. Louis Senior High School to study General Science and successfully graduated in 2017.

In an exclusive interview with Miss. Gyan-Darkwa, she confessed her journey has not been easy as expected. Although she had a very brilliant academic history, she experienced some of the uncertainties that come with tertiary education. There were times she felt nervous and wondered if she was up to the task. “I was able to overcome the many challenges because God saw me through, and I looked to him at all times. Also, I had my eyes focused on the end goal,” she said.

“Some of my course mates felt intimidated because they thought I was too brilliant. Others wondered if I was cut for the journey. All these brought me to the point of questioning my potential but found solace in how far I have come, the support I received and the future that awaits me.”

Miss. Ruth sharing the brighter side of her experience revealed the support of the President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the second lady, H.E Samira Bawumia who gave her a laptop and 4-year scholarship respectively.

Her father, Mr Kwadwo Gyan-Darkwa, a Mathematics and Physics tutor at Prempeh College, expressed great delight in the daughter and how her achievements have brought joy to the family.

Miss Ruth encouraged those who are yet to begin their tertiary journey to believe in themselves, look up to God for help and be ready to embrace the challenges and lessons that come alongside.

She plans to pursue a master’s degree and a PhD.

Culled from KNUST website.