President Akufo-Addo says he shares in the victory of the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (Presec) at the 2020 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition, particularly because the four contestants who represented the school – Isaac Kofi Gyenfi, Benjamin Quansah Nketia and Daniel Kekeli Gagbeto, together with their reserve partner, Faith Cyril – are part of the first batch of direct beneficiaries of the government’s Free Senior High School programme that rolled out in 2017.
Addressing the NSMQ 2020 winners at Jubilee House in Accra today (14 October) when they paid a courtesy call on him to present their trophy, President Akufo-Addo said that Presec having gone a whole decade without winning the NSMQ, “It is entirely fitting that the Akufo-Addo graduates – that is, the first batch of beneficiaries of the Free SHS policy – were the ones who have ended Presec’s trophy drought.
“I also share in your success. I indicated at Presec’s 80th anniversary celebration that the school has become, for me, and for many Ghanaians, one of the best senior high schools, if not the best in our country.
“Indeed, winning your sixth title means that you are now the undisputed kings of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition. As an honorary Odadeɛ, I am proud of this achievement,” the president said.
2020 NSMQ
The National Science and Maths Quiz, Ghana’s most celebrated and prestigious annual quiz event, came to a climax on 8 October at the Cedi Conference Centre of the University of Ghana, Legon. This year’s grand finale featured an intense final contest between Adisadel College, Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School and Opoku Ware School.
In 2019, the same three schools locked horns in the semi-final, with Presec kicking out their contenders. And with 36 points at the end of this year’s contest, Presec won their sixth NSMQ trophy, maintaining their rank as the most request-winning team in NSMQ history.
They also won the Airtel-Tigo Highest Scorer of the Day award, worth GHC10,000 at the final stage of the competition. Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School’s Daniel Kekeli Gakpetor further won the Academic City Presidential Scholarship, worth US$40,000.
Words of inspiration
President Akufo-Addo congratulated the quiz mistress, Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Prime Time Company Ltd, the organisers of the NSMQ, and the sponsors of the competition for their excellent initiative. He urged the young winners not to relent in their quest for higher knowledge in the years of learning ahead.
“Congratulations are in order once again to Presbyterian Senior High School on their victory and I wish the contestants, in particular, the very best of luck and God’s blessings in all their future endeavors.
“I urge them to remember at all times the words of the school’s motto, ‘In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen – In Thy light, we shall see light.’ The best days of Presec and, indeed, our nation lie ahead of us,” the president said.
The National Science and Maths Quiz
The NSMQ is the longest-running independent production on television in Ghana. The programme is very popular with not only its main target group – senior high school students – but also parents and, especially, former students (old boys and girls), who take great pride in the performance of their schools during the competition.
The objective of the National Science and Maths Quiz has been to promote the study of the sciences and mathematics, help students develop quick thinking and a probing and scientific mind about the things around them, while fostering healthy academic rivalry among Senior High Schools. Without a doubt, these aims have been achieved.
The quiz, popularly referred to as “brilla” by many who have gone through the secondary school system, is one of the very few highly anticipated academic events that brings all of Ghana’s secondary schools together.
Click on the link below to listen to the president.
Wilberforce Asare / Asaase Radio
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