In the heart of Ghana, a young boy from the Savannah Region has captured the nation’s attention with his remarkable academic journey.

At just 13 years old, Melchizedek Adio Baafawiise has become the youngest undergraduate at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Physics.

Melchizedek’s story is one of brilliance, determination, and an insatiable curiosity for knowledge.

His academic achievements are nothing short of extraordinary, earning him a place at KNUST after excelling in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

With an impressive track record that includes A1 grades in Physics and Mathematics, Melchizedek has proven that age is no barrier to academic excellence.

“I started school at just two years old,” Melchizedek revealed during an interview. “By seven, I was already in Primary 4, and I skipped Primary 5 to go straight to Primary 6. I later attended Starlex Academy, where I completed Junior High before moving to St. Minor Seminary Senior High School.”

Growing up in a family of educators—an Economics teacher for a father and a primary school teacher for a mother—Melchizedek’s home environment was rich with encouragement and intellectual stimulation. Despite this, his journey was not without challenges.

“In senior high school, I initially felt intimidated because of my age,” he admitted. “But as time went on, I got used to it. Now, being here at KNUST, where most of my peers are older, feels normal to me.”

Melchizedek’s love for Physics was born out of a childhood dream to become a pilot. However, his aspirations have since evolved.

“I wanted to become a pilot, but I realized the career has certain restrictions,” he explained. “With Physics, I can build a strong foundation and explore other fields like aerospace or mechanical engineering. By my third or fourth year, I’ll decide which path to specialize in.”

His passion for Physics, particularly Mechanics, shines through in his words. “I love the calculations and experiments in Mechanics.

“When you perform experiments, you can see and feel the results. It’s different from Electricity and Magnetism, where you can’t see the electrons moving. That’s why Mechanics fascinates me the most.”

Beyond his academic interests, Melchizedek is a testament to resilience and adaptability. He began life in a modest household in Buipe, Savannah Region, but his vision has always been global.

“Studying Physics gives me the flexibility to discover my true interests before committing to a specific field. Whether it’s Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering, I’m confident this foundation will serve me well,” he said.