Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, clinched their eighth National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) trophy, establishing themselves as the most successful school in the competition.
In a thrilling academic showdown in Accra, PRESEC, the defending champions, amassed 40 points in five rounds, outperforming Achimota SHS and Opoku Ware SHS, both two-time champions, who secured 28 and 23 points, respectively. PRESEC received GH¢70,000 for their victory, while Achimota and Opoku Ware received GH¢50,000 and GH¢35,000, respectively.
From the early stages, PRESEC, finalists on 12 occasions, maintained their lead, concluding the second round with 23 points, whereas Achimota and Opoku Ware lagged behind with 12 and 14 points, respectively. The true or false round saw Achimota narrowing the gap as they answered seven out of eight questions, moving closer to PRESEC, while Opoku Ware fell further behind. The round concluded with PRESEC at 31 points, Achimota at 28, and Opoku Ware, nine-time finalists, at 20 points.
Throughout the competition, enthusiastic supporters enlivened the auditorium with spirited cheers, songs, and school flags. Meanwhile, among the audience, dramatic exchanges took place, as alumni engaged in good-natured banter over which alma mater was superior.
PRESEC, the only school to achieve back-to-back victories in 2008 and 2009 and again in 2022 and 2023, secured the 2023 NSMQ title with an almost flawless performance in the final round—the riddle round. Despite coming very close, Achimota appeared powerless, as a rejuvenated PRESEC confidently navigated the riddle session, with their representatives displaying infectious emotions as the competition concluded.
Nana Akua Mensa-Bonsu, Managing Director of Primetime Ltd, the program’s organizers, acknowledged that over the past 30 years, Primetime had established a strong and resilient brand that engaged both the youth and older generations. She called on the government and corporate entities to support her organization’s vision of creating an All Africa Science and Maths Quiz, which would promote African unity through healthy academic competition.
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, representing the President, congratulated all participating schools in the competition. He encouraged students and young people to be inspired by the contest to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), noting the crucial role of STEM in a nation’s growth and development.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, commended the government’s investment in STEM, emphasizing its positive impact on the competition. He encouraged participants to consider themselves winners, irrespective of the results, as the competition had honed their ability to think creatively and quickly, skills that would serve them well in life.
Source: Graphic online
