By Francis Ntow, GNA
Accra, Sept 11, GNA – The Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, PRESEC-Legon, has ended two years of hurt to reclaim Ghana’s most prestigious academic trophy; the National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ), clinching a historic ninth title in a pulsating grand finale at the UG Premier Domes on Thursday.
In an all-boys battle for supremacy, the Blue Magicians overcame two-time champions St. Augustine’s College (Augusco) and grand finale debutants Accra Academy to seal their return to win the coveted academic and intellectual competition.
The victory marks a remarkable redemption for PRESEC, who last won in 2023 before suffering back-to-back quarter-final exits in 2024 and 2025.
For St. Augustine’s College, it was third-time unlucky, having now lost three consecutive finals in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
An electric atmosphere of fervent prayers, lively ‘Jama’ enchantment, and passionate renditions of school anthems ushered in the much-anticipated grand finale of the 2026 NSMQ.
The contest began on a knife-edge as the first round, which tested fundamentals in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, saw St. Augustine’s College and Accra Academy tied at 11 points each, with PRESEC following closely with nine points.
However, the momentum shifted in the second round, where PRESEC staged a comeback, and shot to 17 points to draw level with St. Augustine’s College, who also moved to 17, while Accra Academy kept pace on 14 points.
PRESEC showed their class in the third round, becoming the only school to have earned a 4/10 score during the Problem of the Day, extending their lead to 21 points. Augusco and Accra Academy maintained their tallies of 17 and 14 points, respectively.
During the True/False round, PRESEC stamped their authority, producing a near-perfect round, missing only one statement, to surge to 34 points and open a commanding gap.
Debutants Accra Academy had an excellent score, getting all their True/False questions accurately and increased their score to 30 points to move into second place, while St. Augustine’s College had 27 points.
With a maximum of 20 points at stake in the round of riddles, the contest was still mathematically open, but the Blue Magicians held their nerve against fierce competition to reclaim the trophy.
Two correct answers in the final riddles took PRESEC to 40 points to seal victory. Accra Academy solved one riddle correctly to hold onto second with 33 points, while St. Augustine’s College finished third with 27 points.
For PRESEC, this victory cements their status as undisputed kings of NSMQ, extending their record to an unprecedented glorious nine titles: 1995, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2020, 2022, 2023 and now 2026.
The enthralling contest saw debutants Accra Academy make a bold statement, securing an impressive second-place finish in their first-ever NSMQ grand finale appearance, announcing themselves as future contenders on the big stage.
However, St. Augustine’s College remained unlucky for a third consecutive time, reaching the NSMQ finals in three successive years – 2024, 2025 and 2026 – but failing to clinch the coveted trophy in any of those years.
The Prize Galore
Beyond the ultimate NSMQ trophy, PRESEC swept several awards. They earned GH₵10,000 for winning the Pepsodent Highest Scorer Award, plus a GH₵2,000 GOIL Super Bonanza Award in the round of riddles.
As champions, they received a total of GH₵80,000 from the Ghana Education Service: GH₵40,000 for the school, GH₵20,000 for the contestants, and GH₵20,000 for their teachers. They also won the Professor Marian Ewurama Addy Award for Best Team of the 2026 NSMQ, instituted by 1999 champion Bubune Adih, worth GH₵10,000.
For placing second, Accra Academy received GH₵64,000 from GES – GH₵30,000 to the school, GH₵17,000 to contestants and GH₵17,000 to teachers. They also won GH₵2,000 for a perfect score in the Jupay Money Transfer True/False round plus an additional GH₵1,000 GOIL Super Bonanza prize for their brilliance on the grand finale stage.
St. Augustine’s College, for the third place, took home a respectable GH₵50,000 from GES: GH₵20,000 allocated to the school, GH₵15,000 to the gallant contestants, and GH₵15,000 to their dedicated teachers for their efforts.
‘A dream come true’
For Jesse Kekeli Afudego and Jason Antwi-Agyei, the two contestants that engineered PRESEC’s ninth NSMQ title, the win was a vision becoming a reality, explaining that they had worked on clinching the trophy for a long time.
The two boys joined the PRESEC NSMQ team in their first year, representing the school at this year’s grand finale and returning the all-time champions to winning ways, with Jason saying, “for us, this is a dream come true.”
Don’t let the scoreboard define you – GES charges
Professor Smile Dzisi, Deputy Director in charge of Management Services, Ghana Education Service (GES), in a speech during the closing ceremony, encouraged the three finalists to view their participation as an achievement regardless of the eventual outcome.
She commended them for competing with confidence, trust, supporting one another in demonstrating discipline, humility and sportsmanship, urging them not to allow the outcome of the competition to define their potential.
“The true value of this journey is far beyond the trophy,” Prof Dzisi said, pointing out that the students had gained knowledge, confidence and the ability to work under pressure.
She commended PrimeTime Limited, organisers of the NSMQ, for sustaining the competition and building a platform that had captured the imagination of the nation for more than three decades.
Primetime rallies corporate Ghana to revive regional championship
Nana Akua Aboagyewaa Mensa-Bonsu, Managing Director, Primetime Limited, organisers of NSMQ, appealed to corporate Ghana to support the return of the regional championship.
She explained that the regional championship, which has featured in the NSMQ since 2019 provided schools with an additional platform to compete, build confidence and pursue national glory but suffered a financial setback this year.
“It is an opportunity to champion education, inspire young people, strengthen regional pride and become part of a competition that has already captured the imagination of communities across the country,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Francis Ntow