By Hussaini Garba Mohammed, who was in Heidelberg – Germany

In an interview with Eunice Abena Lettu, a Ghanaian-born mathematician, she shared insights about her journey from Ghana to Germany, to attend the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum, which took place from September 22 to 27, 2024. The HLF organizers annually invite recipients of the most prestigious awards in Mathematics and Computer Science—including the Abel Prize, ACM A.M. Turing Award, ACM Prize in Computing, Fields Medal, IMU Abacus Medal, and Nevanlinna Prize—to participate as Laureates.

1. Can you tell us about yourself?

I am Eunice Abena Lettu, a postgraduate student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – Kumasi, Ghana.  I study Mathematics – Pure mathematics to be specific. I am the first child of a family of six. I hail from the Oti region of Ghana but I live in Accra with my parents. I like to read books and design websites.

2. How did the idea apply as a young researcher for the HLF forum in Germany come to your mind, where did you get the information?

I got to know about HLF from my former class representative who had been a participant two or three years ago. I applied last year but didn’t get selected because I couldn’t submit a recommendation before the deadline. Then I tried again this year 2024 and I got in!

3. How did you get the idea to study your course Mathematics at your university?

Surprisingly, I was never good at Mathematics until I decided to study and put in the work in Junior High School (JHS) 2. I started studying on my own with an approved textbook – Aki-Ola Series because my parents could not afford to get me a private teacher. I started to get the logic behind Mathematics. I didn’t always get it right but I learned from my mistakes. I gradually began getting better grades sometimes amongst the best grades in my class. I eventually got an “A” in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) which guaranteed my entrance into Senior High School. That is how I decided to study Mathematics.

4. What are your expectations for the future after going back to this forum?

I will delve more into better research as well as assisting other younger researchers in how to do quality work. I will encourage Senior High students to pursue mathematics in higher learning as it fast-tracks development of any nation. I plan to set up a lab for research and innovation in the near future.

5. Which problems or difficulties did you have to face and how did you manage them during your study?

Funding and cost of living was one of the challenges I faced along with cooperation with other researchers (in and outside my country) during my study. The resources to do quality research were also a challenge. The funding from International Mathematical Union (IMU) through their GRAID initiative helped me complete my master’s program.

6. What do you like most about the life of young scientists?

I like their resilience and courage in exploring new fields.

7. What tip would you give your student in your country who is interested in becoming young scientists like you?

Be focused on your goal. Always do quality research by setting a very high standard for yourself.

8. Who is your mentor?

 Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey, he became the first Ghanaian to obtain a doctorate in mathematical sciences, earned in 1966.