At just 13, Melchizedek Adio Baafawiise has made history as one of the youngest students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he is pursuing a degree in Physics.
With exceptional results in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), including A1 grades in five subjects like Physics and Mathematics, Melchizedek’s academic brilliance paved the way for his early university entry.
While he enjoys various aspects of Physics, Mechanics is his favorite due to its tangible, experiment-based nature. Topics like Electricity and Magnetism, however, feel less relatable.
“I love the calculations and the mechanics. You can feel the experiments. But with electricity, even though there are experiments, you don’t see the electrons moving,” he shared.
Raised in a family of four, with an Economics teacher father and a primary school teacher mother, Melchizedek initially aspired to become a pilot. However, he shifted his focus to Physics to explore his interests further before deciding on a specific career path.
“Studying Physics will help me discover my true passion. By my third or fourth year, I’ll decide whether to specialize in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering,” he explained.
A former student of St. Cyprian’s Minor Seminary, Melchizedek skipped two academic years, which initially felt intimidating. However, he quickly adapted and now feels comfortable among his older university peers.
“It doesn’t feel much different. It’s just normal,” he said confidently.