With determination and hard effort, anything is achievable. Gloria Agyeiwaa Antwi Botchway, a Ghanaian, learned this while growing up in a humble family.
Her parents were not wealthy, but they fostered in her a love of learning because they understood the amazing power of education to break poverty cycles and economically empower individuals.
Botchway was six years old when he began peddling things on the streets of Teshie, a town in Ghana’s capital, Accra. She was subsequently put in the care of relatives while her mother pursued further schooling. Despite how tough those times were for Botchway, she did not give up and persisted, inspired by what she described as a desire to rise above her surroundings.
She takes her schooling seriously and has a passion for maths. Her elective math teacher even predicted that she would become a mathematics lecturer.
“I laughed it off then, but little did I know that God was orchestrating my steps towards greatness,” Botchway wrote.
She is the first female PhD mathematics graduate from the University of Ghana. She hailed this remarkable achievement as “a story of triumph over adversity, hope in the face of despair, and the unbreakable human spirit.”
Above all, she believes it is the result of God’s grace and hard effort. “Putting God first in your life should be a priority. “We can’t do anything without him,” she said on the University of Ghana’s website.
She believes that her tale would encourage others going through terrible circumstances.
“Today, I stand as a beacon of hope for anyone who feels trapped, marginalized, or limited. I am living proof that you can rise above your circumstances and that you can achieve greatness despite the odds,” said Botchway, while showing appreciation to friends and family who helped her get this far.
“My story is not just about me; it’s about the countless individuals who have supported me along the way – my family, teachers, mentors, and friends. Thanks also to the UG Carnegie NGAA and The BANGA Africa Project for their massive financial support throughout my journey. I cannot go on without mentioning the University of Ghana, Legon and the Department of Mathematics, who provided a very conducive environment for me to thrive.”
According to a research by Times Higher Education (THE) and the United Nations Scientific, Cultural, and Educational Organization, 47% of African university graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are female, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This indicates Africa has the greatest percentage of female STEM graduates.
Botchway’s victory follows Ghanaian mathematician Angela Tabiri’s recognition as the World’s Most Interesting Mathematician by The Big Internet Math-Off.
The event, held in the United States from July 1 to July 24, acknowledged Tabiri, also known as the Maths Queen, for her pioneering work and inventive approach to tackling challenging mathematical problems.