Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana are well known for their prodigious young entrants, and in recent years, a handful of exceptional talents have broken age records to begin degree studies in their early teens.
Each of these students has distinguished themselves by accelerating through Ghana’s school system, gaining early university admission, and moving on to impactful activities—whether continuing advanced studies, engaging in research, or contributing professionally to their fields.
Here is a list of the five youngest university students in Ghana today:
- Viemens Bamfo
- Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa
- Melchizedek Adio Baafawiise
- Dominic Damoah
- Kwesi Appiah
1. Viemens Bamfo
Viemens Bamfo made history at age twelve when he became the youngest student ever admitted to the University of Ghana, Legon. Homeschooled by his father, he passed the entrance examinations for the Diploma in Public Administration in 2019.
After completing his initial diploma, Viemens continued on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He now works as a youth advocate for educational access, speaking at schools across Greater Accra about his journey.
2. Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa
Born May 29, 2004, in Kumasi, Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa skipped through primary and junior high grades before enrolling at St. Louis Senior High School at age ten. At twelve, in October 2017, she became the youngest ever to start a BSc in Mathematics at KNUST.
After excelling in her degree, she won a full scholarship to the University of New Mexico, where she began PhD studies in Electrical and Computer Engineering in fall 2022. She remains the youngest doctoral student at that institution.
3. Melchizedek Adio Baafawiise
Melchizedek, born April 2, 2011, in Bole, Upper West Region, entered KNUST at age thirteen in January 2025 to study Physics. A science whiz in the Bole township, he completed his WASSCE with straight As in Physics and Mathematics, B2 in English and Chemistry and B3 in Biology at age twelve.
At KNUST, he joined the Physics Club and is now researching renewable energy applications for rural Ghanaian communities while finishing his undergraduate coursework. Melchizedek wanted to become a pilot in future, but then he felt that this career path was restricted. Instead, he believes studying physics will teach him the basics of physics and open up more career paths for him.
He started schooling at the age of 2, skipped primary 5, JHS 2 & 3 and completed Starplex Academy after writing an entrance exam. As the second child of two parents who are teachers, it is no surprise that he excels academically.
4. Dominic Damoah
At fourteen, Dominic Damoah gained admission to Valley View University in September 2023, after self-studying through senior high school equivalency exams. Born in 2008, he split his early schooling between the US and Ghana.
He enrolled in the BSc in Information Technology programme, graduating summa cum laude in 2025. Dominic now works as a software developer for an Accra‐based tech startup, while mentoring other young learners.
5. Kwesi Appiah
Kwesi Appiah, born April 15, 2009, in Takoradi, skipped directly to senior high school at age nine and completed the WASSCE at age eleven. In 2021, he entered the University of Ghana for a Bachelor of Economics at the age of twelve.
Today, he balances his studies with an internship in the Ministry of Finance’s research department, contributing to national economic reports.
