Dr Gloria Agyeiwaa Antwi Botchway

In a historic milestone for the Uni­versity of Ghana, Dr Gloria Agyeiwaa Antwi Botchway has become the first woman to earn a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Ghana.

Dr Botchway’s journey from the village of Akaa Buem in the Oti region to becoming the first female to earn a PhD in Mathematics is a demonstration of her resilience and determination.

Born into a family of four, she is the second child of her parents. When her family moved to Accra for her moth­er’s education, they faced significant hardships, living with an aunt who struggled to make an ends meet while living in a crowded compound where the challenges of life were evident.

Her childhood years were not with­out challenges. At just seven years old, Dr Botchway began hawking goods to help make ends meet.

Her school life was equally challeng­ing. While her classmates brought a variety of foods to school, Dr Botch­way often packed leftover banku, which she and her brother would hide to avoid teasing.

After four years in Accra, the family moved to Asamankese, where she attended Life Preparatory School. Fol­lowing another move to Winneba, she continued her education at University Primary on North Campus.

Her experiences in Accra were marked by crime and instability, where gunshots from nearby gang members and police conflicts were a common occurrence.

Despite these hardships, Dr Botch­way’s determination never declined. She completed her basic education wearing the same uniform from class four through to Junior High School, as financial constraints made it impossi­ble to buy new clothes.

Transitioning to secondary school at Accra Girls, Gloria initially focused on Business subjects but soon discovered her true passion for

Mathematics. “I’ve always loved. Maths – It challenges me, and I want­ed to be in a field where few people ventured,” she said.

Her secondary school math teacher recognised her potential and urged her to pursue a career in academia. “He just told me that, Gloria, you have to be a Lecturer,” she remem­bers. This encouragement, coupled with her innate love for the subject, set Dr Botchway on a path that would ultimately lead her to make history.

It was this passion that led her to the University of Ghana, where she not only excelled academically but also forged a path for future genera­tions of female mathematicians. When she began her studies at the Univer­sity of Ghana, she initially opted for a Business Administration course but quickly chose Mathematics.

Inspired by mentors like Prof. Elsie Kaufmann and Dr Adu Gyamfi, who advised her on the advantages of a mathematics degree, she ultimately committed to the subject. “I wanted a challenging field where few people ventured,” she explained. “I realised that with a Math degree, I could still pursue Accounting if I wanted”, she added.

As she progressed through her undergraduate and graduate studies, she faced numerous challenges, both academic and personal. “Math is challenging. It’s not easy,” she admits. “But if you love it, you would do it.”

One of the most significant chal­lenges was the lack of female role models in her field. “People do not expect that you would go on with the Math,” Gloria explains. “Some­times they were very discourag­ing.” However, these doubts only fueled her determination to succeed.

In an interview with Dr Botchway’s colleague, Justine Johnson, he described her as a dedicated and ambitious individual who is practi­cal and determined.

He mentioned her leadership skills and how she helped set up a Maths study group, which helped him be­come proficient in Math. He also praised her de­termination, stating that “nothing is impossible, and she always strives to solve problems.”

Balancing her aca­demic pursuits with her personal life presented another set of chal­lenges. Dr Botchway got married during her Master’s programme and had two children before graduation.

She went on to have two more children during her PhD studies. “Life has to go on,” she says, crediting her supportive hus­band and family for helping her manage her multiple roles.

In 2024, Dr Botchway’s per­severance paid off when she became the first woman to earn a PhD in Math­ematics from the University of Ghana. This achievement is not just a person­al triumph but a significant milestone for gender representation in STEM fields in Ghana.

Now with her PhD, she is focused on making a lasting impact in her field and inspiring the next generation of female Mathematicians. Dr Botchway is involved in a project called “Enhancing M in STEM,” which aims to improve Mathematics educa­tion for girls in secondary schools.

Professor Deborah Atobrah, Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) at the University of Ghana, underscores the importance of Gloria’s achievement. “This is a very big achievement. It’s a huge feat in gender work for STEM. However, you know, we think this has taken too long for us to get here. But never­theless, we still celebrate this very important achievement”, she stated.

Speaking to the Head of the De­partment of Mathematics, Dr Chisara Peace Ogbogbo, she showered praises on Dr Botchway and applauded her work ethic.

Through her academic journey, Dr Botchway has shown determi­nation and persistence, setting the stage for her groundbreaking achievement. Her story is one of perseverance, representing the spirit of a woman who rose above her circumstances to achieve groundbreaking success.

Dr Botchway in her appreci­ation remarks thanks God for seeing her through it all. She also acknowledged her supervisor, Professor Anthony Yaw Aidoo of Eastern Connecticut State Univer­sity, for being supportive through­out her PhD journey.

She extended appreciation to her Department and the Uni­versity of Ghana for providing an enabling environment with waived fees.

She also acknowledged Dr Twum, Professor Seba and Dr Ogbogbo, for being in­strumental in the journey. Carnegie Corporation, through Professor Yaa Ntimoa-Baidu, supported her through the Carnegie Next Generation of Academics, Africa and Ban­ga project. Dr Botchway also thanked their family, especially her mother, Madam Margaret Aduam and her husband for their encouragement. She also thanked her friends for their selfless support throughout their journey.

As Ghana strives to increase female participation in STEM fields, stories like Dr Botchway’s serve as both inspiration and a call to action. Her journey from the market stalls of Teshie to the lecture halls of the Univer­sity of Ghana demonstrates that with determination, support and access to education barriers can be broken and new paths creat­ed. -ug.edu.gh