Ghana’s woman makes history as first African winner of math competition

According to its article, BBC reveals that Dr. Angela Tabiri, a trailblazing mathematician from Ghana, is making waves in the world of mathematics. 

Dr. Angela Tabiri, known as the "Maths Queen" in Ghana, has made history as the first African to win The Big Internet Math Off competition—a remarkable achievement for someone who initially didn’t plan to pursue mathematics.

At 35, the Ghanaian mathematician finds joy in solving puzzles and mathematical problems, and she hopes her 2024 victory will inspire more African women to explore the field, a subject that has traditionally been less accessible to them.

Sixteen mathematicians were selected to compete for the lighthearted title of "the world’s most interesting mathematician" in a public vote event created by The Aperiodical blog in 2018.

The first winner of the competition was Dr. Nira Chamberlain, the first Black mathematician to appear in the British reference book Who's Who and a vice-president of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

During the event, participants competed in pairs, progressing through quarter-finals and semi-finals until the final match, where the mathematician who explained their chosen concept most clearly was crowned the winner.

Dr. Tabiri specializes in quantum, or non-commutative, algebra, a field she explores at the Ghana branch of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). 

AIMS, originally founded in South Africa, has since expanded to countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, and Rwanda, offering postgraduate training and research opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

In addition to her research, Dr. Tabiri serves as the academic manager of the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Programme. This mentorship initiative, launched by AIMS Ghana in 2020, aims to create a pipeline of young girls poised to lead in mathematical sciences, both in academia and in industry.

Dr. Tabiri notes that while the number of girls and boys studying mathematics in high school is roughly equal, the number of female students pursuing math at the university level significantly drops off. 

This decline, she explains, stems from the misconception among female students that studying math only leads to teaching careers, as math is still largely perceived as a "boy's subject," with very few female role models to inspire them. 

This is an issue Dr. Tabiri is dedicated to addressing.

However, her path into mathematics was not straightforward. 

Growing up in Ashaiman, a densely populated, low-income area in Tema, an industrial city near the capital Accra, Dr. Tabiri lived in a lively but noisy household with five sisters. To study in peace, she would often visit the local youth community center. 

Initially, she aspired to follow the path of two of her sisters and pursue a degree in business administration at university.

Despite her high grades, Dr. Tabiri’s marks weren’t quite high enough for business administration, so she was instead accepted into mathematics and economics.

"It was a blessing in disguise," Dr. Tabiri says. "Numbers and puzzles fascinated me - but I never thought a career in maths was for me."

In 2015, Dr. Tabiri received a scholarship to pursue her PhD at Glasgow University in Scotland. She describes it as difficult work, and it was during this time that she had a defining moment.

In 2024, Ghana achieved a significant milestone when Dr. Gloria Botchway became the first woman to earn a PhD in mathematics from the University of Ghana. Her journey was filled with challenges, including selling water and yams on the roadside at the age of six.

Dr. Tabiri is committed to helping other African girls and women from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their passion for mathematics through her non-profit, FemAfricMaths. 

Along with other volunteers, she offers lessons to young high school students both in person and online. She also shares interviews with prominent female mathematicians from around the world on social media.

Additionally, Dr. Tabiri is deeply passionate about the potential of quantum science and technology, where mathematics plays a crucial role.

By Naila Huseynova