Three female students emerged triumphant at the 2025 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Distinction Awards in Accra yesterday, claiming the top three prizes after overcoming stiff competition from their male counterparts.
The awardees were among the final-year students who sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates last year.
All three, hailing from two private second-cycle institutions, achieved a perfect record of eight A1s across their subjects.
Huda Suglo Suleman, a former student of Legacy Girls’ College, was adjudged the Overall Best Candidate. She also took the prize for Overall Best Candidate in General Arts.
Now a student of Mechatronics Engineering at Ashesi University, she aspires to become an aerospace engineer.
Her prizes included $1,200 from the WAEC Endowment Fund, GH¢30,000 and a laptop from Zenith Bank, GH¢10,000 from Brightway Enterprises Limited, a laptop from Jay Kay Enterprises, and a citation from her former school.
Paula Adzo Elinam Sowu, also from Legacy Girls’ College, secured the second-place position.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Ghana, Legon, with dreams of becoming an international lawyer, she received $900 from the WAEC Endowment Fund, a cheque for GH¢20,000 and a laptop from ADB, and a dictionary from Kingdom Books and Stationery.
Matthea Aba Andoh, a former student of Hope College, claimed the third prize. She is now studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana, aiming to become an influential rehabilitation engineer.
Her awards included the cedi equivalent of $700 from the WAEC Endowment Fund, a cheque for GH¢15,000 and a laptop, and a dictionary from Kingdom Books and Stationery.
Ms. Andoh also received the prize for Best Candidate in General Science, which came with the cedi equivalent of $400 from WAEC’s Ghana National Office, a cheque for GH¢10,000, and a laptop from Jay Kay Enterprises.
All three top winners received certificates of recognition. Their former schools were each honoured with a plaque and a desktop computer.
Two other outstanding candidates were also recognised for their achievements.
Eric Aduamoah Larbi, a former student of Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, took home the Best Business Candidate award.
Now studying BSc Administration at the University of Ghana, he received the cedi equivalent of $400 from WAEC’s Ghana National Office, a cheque for GH¢10,000 from Manjigo Company Limited, and a laptop from Jay Kay Enterprises.
Philip Dadzie Quaico, a former student of Mfantsipim School, was adjudged the Best Candidate in the Technical Programme.
He is currently pursuing Mechanical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
His prizes included the cedi equivalent of $400 from WAEC’s Ghana National Office, a cheque for GH¢10,000, and a laptop.
The awards ceremony celebrated the exceptional performance of these candidates.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, remarked that their achievements demonstrated that excellence is attainable when talent is combined with discipline and commitment.
The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, added that the candidates’ desire to positively impact society gives hope that the future of the country is bright.
