Prempeh College won and we all rejoiced

Last week Thursday, June 29, 2017, was a uniquely special day for Amanfoo and their many friends, as well as many other Ghanaians. It was also special to everyone who believed in the principle of excellence as enshrined in the Olympic Movement.

The National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition took place with all the drama and tension that normally accompany football matches between Ghana’s Black Stars and the Green Eagles of Nigeria.

I recall one such match, during the 1992 African Cup of Nations Tournament in Senegal. The maestro, Abedi Pele, was playing as Captain with Edward Ansah as goalkeeper. 

This was a match Ghana had to win at all costs; but against the run of play, Nigeria soon got the opening goal. At that point, my head began to ache severely. I was watching television alone. A similar tense atmosphere characterised the recent quiz competition.

Back to my quiz competition. Full of confidence and beaming with excitement, I watched the diligent young boys from Prempeh College answer their questions correctly to take the expected comfortable lead at the end of the fourth round.

Then I heard the quiz mistress shout “Riddle, Riddle!” for Round 5. At that stage, I was confident that Prempeh College would cruise to victory. 

My heart sank when St Aquinas pressed the bell on two occasions and answered correctly! I guessed that the gap between Prempeh and St Aquinas had been narrowed. Was Prempeh going to lose at that stage, the very final round? Incredible, I soliloquised.

That was when my ancient periodic headache came back; a slow, nagging pain in my head. I was watching television alone. I took in a deep breath. Then I recollected what my more experienced senior advised me to do some years ago.

He told me to watch television with friends or family so that the stress and the excitement could be diffused among those who were watching. That way, headaches could be minimised.

Noble values

This latest NSMQ competition has demonstrated how good it is to collaborate among colleagues to undertake projects, activities and programmes that result in successful execution and that will improve the outcome of things that we all do.

Through proper collaboration, we are able to even create new fresh opportunities for ourselves. Prempeh College collaborated with its old students and the teaching staff to prepare the team and the results are evident for all to see.

Externally, on the other side, a company called Primetime collaborated with sponsors and the Ghana Education Service to put up this sterling show among schools in Ghana.

It generated healthy competition and provoked the young brains. At the end of the day, the whole country derived happiness and joy. It was quite refreshing.

The value of excellence has been displayed by these young, talented students. We can only hope that the competition gets better and better. Floreat Prempeh College! May Prempeh College flourish! And Long Live the NSMQ competition!