By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has congratulated the two champions of the 2nd African Shenmo Cup International Abacus Mental Olympiad, Ridwan Mahmoud Jajah and Ummu Sulaim Abass of Al-Hikmah Islamic Montessori School who secured the 1st and 3rd place awards respectively beating competition from over 300 others from 30 African countries.
The champions met with the Minister on October 23, 2025 to present their trophy and call on him for a close collaboration.
Mr. Iddrisu encouraged them to study maths and science later on their academic journey citing that he sees a doctor or an engineer in one of them.
Speaking to the media, Principal of Al-Hikmah Islamic Montessori School, Botwe, Madam Samira Halid urged the ministry to look into government schools partaking in the Shenmo abacus competition.
Principal of Shenmo Ghana, Musa Frimpong explained that this was the second time Ghana was representing in such competition with the first being held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He emphasized how much improvement had been made since the maiden edition and commented on the relevance of STEM education.
“The world is moving towards STEM education with its foundation being mathematics so we’re trying to make it fun and engaging for the kids”.
According to him, this method would help children nationwide who have the fear of mathematics to overcome it. He also advocated for the establishment of abacus centers across the country and have schools embrace the Shenmo abacus mental maths while also urging private and government schools to take hold of the opportunity.
Ummu Sulaim Abass who came in third place told the media the journey was a fun experience and abacus requires rapt attention with no distraction. She said she had learnt the abacus for three years. Ridwan Mahmoud Jajah on the other hand said that he would like to represent Presec Legon at the National Science and Maths Quiz in the future.
The 2nd African Shenmo Cup International Abacus Mental Olympiad was held at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village in Rwanda.
The competition had over 300 others from 30 African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Libya, Zambia, Mozambique, Mali, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Cameroon among others participating.
