Daniel Kekeli Gakpetor, a standout contestant from the 2020 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), has achieved a significant academic milestone. He captained Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) to victory in the 2020 NSMQ, defeating Adisadel College and Opoku Ware School in the grand finale. Gakpetor, along with his teammates Benjamin Quansah Nketsiah and Isaac Kofi Gyamfi, secured PRESEC’s sixth NSMQ trophy. His academic excellence was further demonstrated when he recorded eight As in the 2020 WASSCE results.
Gakpetor's achievements did not end with the NSMQ competition. He was awarded a $40,000 Academic City Presidential Scholarship following his NSMQ performance. This recognition enabled him to pursue higher education at Dartmouth College in the United States. At Dartmouth, Gakpetor focused on Computer Engineering, developing interests in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and reinforcement learning.
During his time at Dartmouth, Gakpetor became an E.E. Just Fellow and worked with Professor Peter Chin’s Language, Intelligence and Signal Processing laboratory. His research involved large language models and reinforcement learning. Additionally, he worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant in programming and embedded systems, showcasing his versatility and commitment to academic excellence.
In 2023, Gakpetor returned to Ghana through an internship connected to the Dartmouth Centre for Social Impact. He helped students from less-privileged backgrounds with university applications, demonstrating his dedication to giving back to the community. His work at Dartmouth was further recognised in 2026 when he was named among the recipients of the Don Stayner Changemaker Award.
The Don Stayner Changemaker Award honours engineering students whose work demonstrates service to society. Gakpetor’s graduation marks another chapter in a journey that first attracted nationwide attention on the NSMQ stage six years ago. His academic journey has included work in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and embedded systems, solidifying his position as a well-rounded engineer.
Gakpetor graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Sciences and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering. His achievements serve as an inspiration to many, particularly those who participated in the NSMQ. Gakpetor's story is a testament to the fact that academic excellence and community service can go hand-in-hand.
Gakpetor’s story is not an isolated incident of NSMQ contestants achieving great things. Another 2020 NSMQ contestant, Epton Asamoah Noble from Opoku Ware School, has also graduated as a medical doctor from KNUST. These stories highlight the potential of the NSMQ in launching the careers of young Ghanaian students.
Key points
- Daniel Kekeli Gakpetor graduated with two engineering degrees from Dartmouth College in the US.
- Gakpetor was a standout contestant in the 2020 National Science and Maths Quiz, leading PRESEC to victory.
- He has demonstrated a commitment to community service, including helping underprivileged students with university applications.
