With determination and hard work, nothing is impossible. Ghana’s Gloria Agyeiwaa Antwi Botchway learned this growing up in a modest family.

Her parents did not have much but instilled in her a love of learning as they knew the incredible power of education to break poverty cycles and economically empower individuals.

At age six, Botchway was hawking goods on the streets of Teshie, a town in Ghana’s capital Accra. She had then been left in the care of relatives as her mom had to pursue further studies. Despite how difficult those periods were for Botchway, she did not give up but pressed on, motivated by what she described as a dream to rise above her circumstances.

She took her education seriously, with a love for mathematics. Her elective Maths teacher even prophesied 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.

Today, she is the first female PhD Mathematics graduate from the University of Ghana. She described this amazing feat as “a story of triumph over adversity, of hope in the face of despair, and of the unbreakable human spirit.”

Above all, she believes that this is a product of God’s Grace and hard work. “Making God first in your affairs must be a priority. Without him, we are nothing and we can do nothing,” she shared on The University of Ghana website.

She hopes that her story will inspire others going through difficult times.

“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.”

A recent report by Times Higher Education (THE) and the United Nations Scientific, Cultural and Educational Organization found that 47% of African universities’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates, undergraduates and postgraduate levels are women. This means that Africa has the highest proportion of female STEM graduates.

Botchway’s achievement comes after Angela Tabiri, a young mathematician from Ghana, was named the World’s Most Interesting Mathematician by The Big Internet Math-Off.

The contest, which ran from July 1 to July 24 in the United States, recognized Tabiri, affectionately known as the Maths Queen, for her groundbreaking work and innovative approach to solving complex mathematical problems.