SefaYakpo
Eighteen year-old SefaYakpo, a student of Ghana International School (GIS) has become the VERY FIRST Ghanaian to qualify for the upcoming International Math Olympiad, to be held this July in South Africa.
The International Math Olympiad gives a platform to the very brightest young mathematicians from 142 different countries. SefaYakpo will be the very first representative from Ghana to make it to the Olympiad in the Olympiad’s 55 year old history.
To reach this stage, Sefa first had to compete against 273 other young Ghanaians who registered with local math NGO, the MISE Foundation. The MISE Foundation, a member of the International Math Association, is the only body in Ghana authorized to search, test and submit candidates to represent the nation at the International Math Olympiad.
Speaking about her phenomenal achievement, Sefa, who at first questioned her own ability, said, “I didn’t expect to even do well in the MISE programme when I took part last year. At first, the programme looked too hard and I did want to give up. When I went to the MISE summer camp, I didn’t think I had what it took, but my mother told me to stay in the programme. I’m now excited to experience this and I hope it shows others that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Sefa continued, “I’ve always liked math, but I’ve never really had a passion for it until I went to the camp and saw how math interacted with life on an everyday basis, then I found out I really, really liked it. Taking part has really helped with my other subjects as well, as I’ve learned a lot about problem-solving.
“I’m looking forward to participating in the International Math Olympiad. Although I know I will face more experienced mathematicians who have been practicing for the Olympiad longer than I have, I’ve decided to go, learn and simply enjoy the experience.”
Sefa, who is also a school prefect at GIS, will jet off to South Africa in July, after sitting her final A-level examinations in Further Math, Math, Chemistry and Physics. She has already received offers to study in three world renowned universities – Cambridge University, the University of Manchester, and the University of Bath, all in the United Kingdom. She hopes to select one of them and offer Chemical Engineering as her chosen degree programme.
The Principal of GIS, Mrs Diana Nyatepe-Coo who has known Sefa personally since Sefa joined the school in 2001 at the age of five, added, “We are all extremely proud of Sefa. She is a talented young lady who I’ve had the privilege to see blossom under our tutelage. She is an inspiration to us all, but in particular to her peers. 
“This year, GIS has encouraged more of our students to seize opportunities such as the MISE Foundation programme as it does build up confidence, not only in academic studies but also in life. Ghana International School is a breeding ground of excellence and we strive to support each and every one of our 1,420 pupils to realize their full potential.”
Commenting on Sefa’s accomplishment, Founder of the MISE Foundation programme, Mr Joel Dogoe said, “I’m very proud of Sefa’s achievement and we wish her all the best. Sefa was the most outstanding student out of all the gifted students who participated in the 2013 MISE programme, here in Ghana. In particular, we are extra delighted to be putting forward a candidate in this year’s Olympiad for the first time, and it also happens to be hosted in Africa for the very first time.”
In addition to Sefa’s phenomenal accomplishment, three other GIS students are flying off to compete on an international stage in math.
Fourteen year-old Bianca Amoabeng and fifteen year-old AtalTripathi will be joining six other students from Ghana who have been selected to compete in the Junior Math Olympiad in South Korea. Thirteen year-old Nana AfiaTwum-Barimah-Adu will be joining two other students from Ghana to Hong Kong for the Primary Math World Contest.
