In a powerful display of academic excellence, three female students have clinched the top prizes at the 2025 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Distinction Awards, outperforming their male counterparts to take home the highest honours.
The awards ceremony, held in Accra yesterday, celebrated the outstanding performance of candidates who sat for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
Huda Suglo Suleman, a former student of Legacy Girls’ College, was crowned the Overall Best Candidate. She was followed closely by her colleague from the same school, Paula Adzo Elinam Sowu, who placed second, while Matthea Aba Andoh of Hope College secured the third position. All three exceptional students achieved the remarkable feat of scoring A1s in all eight subjects they sat for.
A Hat-Trick of Excellence
Huda Suglo Suleman, who also received the prize for the Overall Best Candidate in the General Arts programme, is now pursuing a degree in Mechatronics Engineering at Ashesi University. Her ultimate ambition is to become an Aerospace Engineer. Her flawless results included A1s in subjects ranging from Core Mathematics and Economics to French and Geography.
For her outstanding achievement, Miss Suleman received $1,200 from the WAEC Endowment Fund, a certificate of recognition, and a dictionary. Zenith Bank added a GHC 30,000 cash prize and a laptop, while her alma mater, Legacy Girls’ College, was honoured with a plaque and a desktop computer.
Paula Adzo Elinam Sowu, who aspires to be an international lawyer, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Ghana, Legon. She secured A1s in a diverse range of subjects including Government, History, Literature-in-English, and Information and Communication Technology. Her prizes included $900 from the WAEC Endowment Fund, GHC 20,000 and a laptop from ADB, and a dictionary. Her school also received a plaque and a desktop computer.
Matthea Aba Andoh, now studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana with dreams of becoming a “rehabilitation engineer,” took the third overall prize. She was also awarded the prize for Best Candidate in General Science. Her perfect scorecard featured A1s in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics alongside her core subjects.
Her awards included the cedi equivalent of $700 from the WAEC Endowment Fund, a GHC 15,000 cash prize, a laptop, and a dictionary. For her additional win in General Science, she received a further $400 from the Ghana National Office of WAEC and a GHC 10,000 cheque. Her school, Hope College, was presented with a plaque, a desktop computer, and an award shield.
Other Honours for Male Candidates
While the top three prizes were swept by the female students, their male counterparts also received recognition for their subject-specific excellence.
Eric Aduamoah Larbi, a former student of Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (Presec), was awarded the Best Candidate in the Business Programme. Now a BSc Administration student at the University of Ghana, he received $400, a GHC 10,000 cheque, and a laptop.
Philip Dadzie Quaico, an alumnus of Mfantsipim School, was adjudged the Best Candidate in the Technical Programme. Currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), he also received $400, a GHC 10,000 cheque, and a laptop.
“Excellence is Attainable”
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, who was the guest of honour, commended the award winners for their discipline and hard work. “The achievements of these students demonstrate that excellence is attainable when talent is combined with discipline and commitment,” he stated.
The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, also praised the candidates, adding that their determination to positively impact society gives hope for a bright future for the nation.
