Ghana's oldest Senior High School, Mfantsipim School, etched its name in gold as it successfully defended the National Science and Mathematics (NSMQ) trophy for the second consecutive time, showing class and supremacy in Thursday’s grand finale.
Mfantsipim School had 56 points, 14 ahead of its closest contender, St. Augustine’s College, which had 42 points, and Opoku Ware School, which had 29 points.
This is the school's fourth win, having lifted the trophy in 1999, 2014 and last year, and also placing second in 2000.
Jubilation
The New Examination Centre of the University of Cape Coast, where yesterday’s grand finale was held, was filled with old students, teachers and supporters, who cheered passionately as the three schools promised to give their best in what many described as the “battle of the titans.”
The crowd erupted in jubilation as the “Botwe Boys” lifted the trophy high, their voices filling the hall with their anthem and cheers of triumph, a fitting end to another remarkable chapter in the history of the National Science and Maths Quiz.
The school received several cash prizes and scholarships, including a medical school scholarship of GH¢75,000 for six years for the contestants from the Accra College of Medicine.
The Dr Kweku Mensah Bonsu award of GH¢7,000 for the most impressive performance of the less endowed school that went the furthest went to Amaniampong and Mankranso Senior High schools.
The most impressive run award of GH¢10,000 for a contesting school’s teachers went to Amaniampong and Mankranso SHS.
The Prof. Henrietta Mensah Bonsu award for the most impressive female contestant went to Juliet and Judith Sam Amoah of Aburi Girls SHS.
Keen contest
The contest between Mfantsipim School and St. Augustine’s College, both based in Cape Coast, was keen.
The five-round contest was intense from the beginning as all schools showed determination to become the champions.
Eventually, it was a rat race left for the Cape Coast lads after the second round, almost a repeat of last year’s contest.
Last year, Mfantsipim School clinched the title in a closely contested final, scoring 47 points to edge out St. Augustine’s College with only one point, finishing just a point behind with 46 points.
Keta Senior High Technical School (SHTS) took third place with 33 points.
The tensions were palpable among the contestants.
It was a celebration of brilliance, resilience, and intellectual competition among Ghana’s best science students.
The three finalists, Mfantsipim School, the defending champions; St. Augustine’s College, which won the trophy in 2007 and 2019, and two-time champions Opoku Ware School (1997, 2002), all demonstrated exceptional confidence and determination from the very beginning.
‘Jama’
At the various schools, students assembled to watch and support their contestants.
Before the contest commenced, each school was given six minutes to perform its school anthem and ‘jama’ songs, an exciting display of school spirit and pride that electrified the atmosphere.
The contest, which featured five rounds, began with the Fundamental Questions round.
By the end of it, Mfantsipim School led with 20 points, while Opoku Ware and St. Augustine’s College followed closely with 17 points each.
In the Speed Race, the competition intensified. St. Augustine’s College gained momentum, finishing the round with 27 points, while Mfantsipim earned 24 and Opoku Ware maintained 17.
The third round, Problem of the Day, proved crucial. Worth 10 points, it tested the analytical strength of the contestants.
Mfantsipim School scored six points, extending its points to 30. St. Augustine’s added two points to obtain 29, while Opoku Ware also managed two, bringing its score to 19.
During the True or False round, Mfantsipim continued to widen the gap, finishing with 46 points.
St. Augustine’s trailed with 42 points, and Opoku Ware followed with 29 points.
The final round, the much-anticipated Riddles, sealed the fate of the contest. Mfantsipim solved three out of four riddles, pushing its final score to 56 points.
Both St. Augustine’s College and Opoku Ware School were unable to answer any of the riddles and therefore maintained their previous scores.
High level of performance
Quiz Mistress, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, expressed her admiration for the high level of performance, stating that all three schools displayed remarkable teamwork and depth of knowledge.
She was particularly amazed by the determination seen right from the first round, describing it as one of the most exciting finals in recent memory.
Earlier at the closing ceremony, the Managing Director of Primetime Limited, Nana Akua Aboagyewaa Bonsu, recounted that this year’s competition began under financial uncertainty, and at one point, it was unclear whether it would take place.
However, she said, through collaboration and support, it came off successfully, a testament to resilience, the very theme of this year’s event: “Resilience: The Unwavering Spirit that Turns Setbacks into Springboards for Future Success.”
She revealed that the 2025 edition recorded the largest participation since inception, with 174 schools competing, comprising 27 seeded schools, 106 regional qualifiers, 32 top runners-up, and nine private schools.
Ms Bonsu praised Mankranso SHS and Amaniampong SHS, both Category C schools and first-time participants, who defied expectations to reach the semi-final stage, inspiring other less-endowed schools to believe in their potential.
She further urged students and supporters to avoid cyberbullying, emphasising that healthy competition must be anchored in respect and good sportsmanship.
Omanhen, GES
In his address, the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, expressed his delight that the competition was hosted in Cape Coast, an idea he proposed to Primetime after the 2024 edition.
The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, commended Primetime for sustaining the NSMQ over three decades, saying the programme had shaped the academic and intellectual culture of Ghanaian students.
He emphasised that GES continued to prioritise Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and the government was extending STEM training and facilities to the basic school level to encourage early interest in science and technology.
Prof. Davis also noted that the NSMQ had created awareness among parents, teachers and students, fostering national interest in science and mathematics.
He applauded Aburi Girls’ SHS for being the only girls’ school to reach the quarter-final stage and also praised Mankranso SHS and Amaniampong SHS for their remarkable achievements.
