In a powerful testament to the enduring value of Ghana’s National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), Francisca Lamini, the breakout star of the 2021 edition for Keta Senior High Technical School, has graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, earning the rare distinction of Summa Cum Laude—the university’s highest academic honor.
Lamini, who captured national attention with her quick recall and poised problem-solving during the fiercely contested 2021 NSMQ season, has now cemented her place in history. Her graduation from one of the world’s most prestigious universities underscores a narrative that champions of the quiz have long argued: the NSMQ is far more than a “playing show.”
“People sometimes dismiss the NSMQ as mere entertainment, but it builds intellectual stamina, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure,” said a former contestant and mentor who followed Lamini’s journey. “Francisca’s trajectory from Keta SHS to Harvard Summa Cum Laude is the clearest evidence yet that the NSMQ can be a launchpad for global excellence.”
Lamini’s achievement has reignited a broader conversation about opportunity, focus, and the varied paths Ghanaians take after high school. Her story stands in notable contrast to comments made in recent years by Richlove, a young woman who had been highly critical of the NSMQ, arguing that it offers little tangible benefit to students’ futures.
In past social media posts and interviews, Richlove dismissed the competition as overhyped, suggesting that the accolades and attention heaped on NSMQ champions rarely translate into real-world success. However, in the intervening years, while Lamini was mastering cellular biology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Richlove has pursued a career in photography—a respectable and creative field, but one far removed from the science and academic trajectory she once commented on.
Observers note that Richlove’s current profession is not being held up as a failure; rather, the juxtaposition highlights a critical lesson: opportunities abound, but how a student chooses to seize and use them makes all the difference.
“There is nothing wrong with being a photographer,” said an education analyst. “But the point here is that Richlove argued the NSMQ offers nothing, while Francisca used that very platform as a springboard to arguably the most elite academic institution on earth. The difference isn’t luck—it’s vision and application.”
Lamini’s journey from the NSMQ stage to Harvard Yard serves as a rebuttal to cynicism. She not only earned a degree from Harvard but did so with the highest Latin honor, reserved for students in the top 5% of their class. Her focus on Molecular and Cellular Biology places her at the cutting edge of biomedical research, with potential pathways into medicine, genetic engineering, or biotechnology.
As for Richlove, she continues to build her brand behind the camera, carving out a livelihood in visual storytelling. While her earlier criticisms of the NSMQ now appear shortsighted, her evolution also serves as a reminder that post-high school success is not monolithic.
But for the thousands of Ghanaian students who dream of following in Lamini’s footsteps, the message is now irrefutably clear: the NSMQ is no mere spectacle. For those with the discipline to leverage it, it can be a life-changing institution.
Francisca Lamini has not only made Keta SHS and Ghana proud—she has proven that excellence on a quiz stage can lead to excellence on the world’s grandest academic stage.
