From Binduri to America’s top liberal arts college: Cletus Abumah admitted to Williams College on a full scholarship
Abumah, one of 16 siblings and step-siblings, was raised in a farming household where he helped cultivate maize and millet. Despite limited educational resources and high levels of illiteracy in his community, he excelled academically.
Cletus Abumah, a student from Bazua in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region, has been admitted to Williams College, the number one liberal arts college in the United States. He received a full four-year scholarship worth $375,600.
Abumah, one of 16 siblings and step-siblings, was raised in a farming household where he helped cultivate maize and millet. Despite limited educational resources and high levels of illiteracy in his community, he excelled academically.
He became interested in developing his academic potential after featuring in a local science and math quiz, the Binduri JHS Science and Math Quiz Competition in 2018, representing Bazua Roman Catholic School.
Abumah, in high school, became one of the top students at St. Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School in Tamale and represented his school in the National Science & Maths Quiz.
His academic journey took a major turn when he was selected as one of 25 students nationwide to join, Young Achievers Foundation Ghana (YAF Ghana), a youth leadership and education program.
During his time with YAF Ghana in Kumasi, Cletus focused on test preparation, leadership training, and global issues, further preparing him for university applications abroad.
Abumah’s admission to Williams College is seen as a major achievement not only for himself but for the Binduri district.
Speaking about his success, he said, “My admission to Williams is not just a personal achievement. It is a responsibility I carry for my village. I want to use my education to uplift others like me.”
Prosper Ngoswini Ndego, President of the Binduri Excellence Awards Team (BET), organisers of the Binduri JHS Science and Maths Quiz, who has served as a mentor for Abumah since his appearance at the competition, shared some insights about the young Abumah with Mike News.
“In 2018, when Cletus appeared on the stage as a form 2 pupil to represent Bazua RC in the Binduri JHS quiz ahead of his seniors, he amazed our quiz team with his level of intelligence, speed and desire to win. he was named the special achiever that year after leading his school to the semi-finals. He was back again in 2019 and was named the overall best student that year.”
“I actually built a relationship with and I knew he was that kind of special student you meet once in a long while. BET funded some private teachers to prepare him for the BECE, and the rest was history.” Ndego added.
YAF Ghana, in a Facebook post, has praised Cletus’s determination and sees his story as a powerful example of what is possible when talented students from underserved areas are given opportunities.
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