By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Oct 30, GNA – Mfantsipim School has emerged champions of the 2024 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) in a dramatic contest which saw them beating their closest contestant, St Augustine’s College with just one point.
The victory gives them their third trophy of the competition after they won the second a decade ago in 2014 and their first in 1999.
For their prizes, the winners, Mfantsipim School, received gold medals and a cash of GHS70,000.
In the fierce and dramatic contest, St Augustine’s College, the first runner up, bagged 46 points and received silver medals and GHS50,000 cash while the Keta SHTS followed with 32 points and had bronze medals and GHS35,0000 cash.
The first round of the NSMQ grand finale ended in a deadlock between Mfantsipim School and St Augustine’s College, with each school obtaining 24 points while Keta SHTS lagged with 13 points.
St Augustine’s College took the lead at the end of the second round with 34 points, leaving Mfantsipim School and Keta SHTS behind with 31 and 12 points, respectively.
St Augustine’s College extended their lead with the problem of day in round three, where they garnered 39 points as Mfantsipim School and Keta SHTS ended the round with 34 and 16 points, respectively.
The fourth round presented a heated contest as Mfantsipim School trailed St Augustine’s College closely with 44 points to 46 points. Keta continued to trail with 26 points.
It was at the final lap that the Mfantsipim School overtook St Augustine’s College with a single point after Keta SHTS answered the last riddle to maintain the difference between the two host schools.
Special awards including scholarships, cash, electronic gadgets and insurance covers were given to various schools and contestants for distinguishing themselves in the contest.
Madam Nana Akua Mensa-Bonsu, the Managing Director, Primetime Limited, organisers of the quiz, congratulated all participating schools and noted that the experience throughout the contest had been positive and impactful.
She said the number of participating schools increased from 147 in 2023 to 157 in 2024 and paid special tribute to some schools.
She thanked all audiences for supporting the event, particularly on social media, and keeping it among the tops trends over the last few weeks.
She, however, condemned personal attacks on contestants of the competition on social media, saying that while it was allowed to troll the competing schools, cyber bullying directed at the individual contestants was “unacceptable.”
“It is disheartening to see personal attacks directed at our contestants; individuals who have put their hearts into preparing for this moment.
“There’s a difference between good, nurtured trolling of schools and personal attacks on the contestants,” she said.
“What we all enjoy is the trolling of the schools. But the personal attacks and cyber bullying of the contestants themselves must not be entertained,” she insisted.
Madam Mensa-Bonsu urged the public to have compassion for the contestants because they were young, teenagers and deserved the respect and support of all.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaamanhen, congratulated the organisers of the quiz as well as all the finalists for the feat chalked.
He, however, noted that as the citadel of education, hosting the contest in Cape Coast was long overdue and appealed to the organisers to compensate the city by returning to hold it here the following year.
In a statement delivered on his behalf, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, commended Primetime Limited for their contribution to the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Ghana.
GNA