In 2021, Princess Pearl Amanie joined the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Program (GMSP) at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Ghana, as part of the first-ever cohort. At the time of joining GMSP, she was a student in SDA Senior High School, Asokore, Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana. GMSP is a bold initiative aimed at nurturing the talent of young Ghanaian girls in senior high school with a passion for mathematics and its applications.

Due to the flexibility of the AIMS GMSP, while Princess was still in senior high school, she was immersed in a stimulating environment that went beyond equations and problem-solving through a blend of virtual and residential sessions over a 9-month period. What began as an opportunity to explore her curiosity and potential has since blossomed over the past years into a remarkable story of determination, growth and impact.

Motivated by this foundation at AIMS, Princess applied to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ghana, Legon and over the course of four years, her hard work and resilience earned her a First Class Honours. Her achievement stands as a testament not only to her academic excellence but also to the vision behind the AIMS GMSP, empowering young women to rise through the ranks of STEM education and contribute meaningfully to the continent’s scientific advancement.

Now, the journey comes full circle as Princess Pearl Amanie joins AIMS Ghana once again, this time as a Master’s student in Mathematical Sciences (Class of 2025/2026). Her story beautifully captures the impact of working from the bottom up, where investing in young girls through programs like AIMS GMSP builds a strong foundation that continues to bear fruit.

Her success highlights growing gender-responsive public engagement efforts at AIMS Ghana, where pathways are being created for talented female students to transition from early mentorship into advanced scientific training. This ripple effect strengthens the pipeline of women in mathematics and related fields, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

Princess Pearl’s journey at AIMS Ghana reflects her deep passion for using mathematics to solve real-world problems. Eager to strengthen her knowledge in applied mathematics, particularly in partial differential equations, functional analysis, and numerical analysis she is honing both her theoretical and computational skills to make meaningful scientific contributions. Her experience collaborating with diverse peers and faculty at AIMS is shaping her into a well-rounded scholar, ready to take on complex challenges.

“I want to apply mathematics to real-life problems while improving my theoretical and computational abilities,” she shared, adding that her time at AIMS is equipping her with the tools to do just that. Looking ahead, she aspires to pursue a PhD in Applied Mathematics, developing analytical tools to address issues in the environment, epidemiology, and engineering. Beyond research, Princess Pearl hopes to teach, mentor and inspire future mathematicians, sharing the transformative power of knowledge and helping build a strong culture of scientific inquiry and problem-solving in her community.