This year’s International Mathematical Olympiad was held in St Petersburg, Russia. The competition had 105 countries represented by 616 contestants. Africa’s brightest prospect Master Roni Edwin, an Upper 6th Form Student of Ghana International School made the headlines by being the first Ghanaian to win an IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad) bronze medal. He had the highest score in all of Africa, an achievement worth mentioning.
In 2019 he won an award (Honourable Mention) at the UK International Mathematical Olympiad. Roni Edwin was also the youngest winner of the Ghana Math Olympiad at age 13 in 2017 and went on to tie first place on the Geometry Exam with a perfect score. He was the overall winner of the Ghana Math Olympiad 2018 and 2019 becoming the only student to win the competition back to back. No wonder he made an impression on the World stage.
Roni Adom Edwin is 17 years old. He started his primary school education at Alpha Beta Education Centres, Dansoman. He moved to Ghana Christian International High School (GCIHS) where he spent 5 years and completed his O’ Level studies in June 2019. During his long vacation after Year 7 in GCIHS, when he was 12 years old, he wrote and published a fantasy novel, ‘The legend of Zhaar’, a popular read for his school mates and other students.
Following his O’ Level studies, he enrolled for his Sixth Form at Ghana International School (GIS) because of his desire to pursue A’ Level studies in “Further Mathematics”. He is presently in Upper 6th Form studying Math, Further Math, Physics and Chemistry. While he was at GCIHS, he was introduced to the Ghana Mathematics Olympiad program organized by the MISE Foundation.
MISE is an academic enrichment program for young people who show exceptional aptitude and enthusiasm for mathematics. It is dedicated to identifying talented young mathematicians and providing world-class educational opportunities for them to flourish.
Since its founding in September 2009, MISE has pursued this mission with a singular focus. Today its alumni are some of the brightest minds in mathematics and computer science at some of the world’s leading universities and organizations. This is the organization that coordinates the program in Ghana. It is a member of the International Mathematical Association and the society for science and the public in the US.
In August 2019, Roni won a bronze medal at the South Africa International Mathematics Competition. In November 2019, he won the best student in GCE O level mathematics and Additional Mathematics at the British Council’s Partner Schools Global Network (PSGN) Awards. The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students and is held annually in a different country.
The first IMO was held in 1959 in Romania, with 7 countries participating. It has gradually expanded to over 100 countries from 5 continents. In September 2020, Master Edwin participated in the 61st IMO and won a bronze medal for Ghana, the first time a Ghanaian has won a medal in the 61-year history of the competition.
Having achieved this honourable feat, Roni paid a courtesy call to the Jubilee House to meet President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and present him with his award. He was in the company of the Principal of Ghana International School, Dr. Mary Ashun together with Mr. Amponsah-Mensah, Vice Principal of the GIS Upper Secondary School and Mr. Francis Hukpati a GIS Secondary School Math Teacher and former Assistant Vice Principal. Roni was also accompanied by the Director of the MISE Foundation Mr. Joel Dogoe, a fellow MISE team member Valerie Ackon and his proud Parents Professor Frank Edwin and Dr. Ama Edwin
Roni is an avid reader, who loves music (ABRSM-educated pianist), swimming, and watching movies. His key strengths include unwavering focus, dedication, and passion for mathematics. He lives in Tema with his parents and his younger brother, Rayhan Edwin.