The National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) stands as Ghana’s most celebrated academic competition for senior high schools. Held annually, this prestigious event sparks intense excitement among students, parents, and alumni alike, drawing national attention as schools compete for honor, recognition, and the ultimate title of NSMQ Champion. Since its inception in 1993, the NSMQ has undergone a progressive stupor of exciting rivalry which holds the entire nation spellbound in every session of it.
Remarkably, the NSMQ has uniquely drawn a multi-allegiant support from students and old students, families and friends, and friendly forces of affiliated alliance, thus directly and indirectly drawing the majority of the Ghanaian populace into it. The NSMQ is Ghana’s longest-running independent television show.
The idea for the production of a quiz programme aimed at encouraging the study of the sciences and mathematics was not mooted at a national science fair or conference. It happened on the tennis court of the University of Ghana, Legon in 1993. Dr. Kwaku Mensa-Bonsu, then managing director of Primetime, was on the court to play a tennis game with his playmates, the late Professors Marian Ewurama Addy and Ebenezer Kweku Awotwe. The question for discussion among them was why the same act of contact from humans would result in electrocution. Prof. Awotwe explained that birds are not good conductors of electricity because their cells and tissues do not contain electrons, which form an easier path.
Originally known as "Brilla", culled from Brillant Soap, which originally sponsored the programme, the event was re-named the National Science and Maths Quiz when Brillant Soap withdrew its support in 1998.
The objective of the NSMQ is to "promote the study of the sciences and mathematics, help students develop quick thinking and a probing and scientific mind about the everyday world around them, while fostering healthy academic rivalry among senior high schools". As per its objectives and the goings-on, the NSMQ has not derailed from its course. The NSMQ is just to promote the study of the sciences and mathematics.
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Evolution of the Quiz
When the quiz started, it involved only 32 schools across the country, and these were divided into the Northern Sector and Southern Sector, with 16 schools per sector. Winners in both sectors were then brought to Accra for the national championship. Subsequently, in 2012, the Ghana Education Service, through the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) took up the sponsorship of the programme.
In terms of participation, beginning in 2000, the number of schools was increased to 40. The number of participating schools again, was increased in 2013 to 81, although 66 ultimately showed up for the competition. To give the programme a national character, the quiz has since 2014 involved 135 schools from all parts of Ghana. Since 2014, 108 schools are selected from regional and zonal competitions and qualifiers to join 27 seeded schools (quarter-finalists from the previous year's competition) at the National Championships. Three schools compete in each contest and each school is represented by two contestants.
Quiz Mistresses
The show has had three quiz mistresses:
- The first quiz mistress was the late Professor Marian Ewurama Addy, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Ghana, Legon. She was quiz mistress from 1993 till 2000.
- Eureka Emefa Adomako, a botanist at the University of Ghana, Legon, took over as quiz-mistress from 2001 to 2005.
- In 2006, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, the founding Head of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Ghana, Legon, took over as quiz mistress.
Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann
Format of the Quiz
The quiz consists of five rounds that test the knowledge and speed of the contestants:
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- Round 1: The round of fundamental questions. Each contesting school has to answer 4 Biology, 4 Chemistry, 4 Physics and 4 Mathematics questions. A wrongly answered question may be carried over as a bonus.
- Round 2: This round is called the speed race. All three schools are presented with the same mainly applied questions at the same time. A school answers a question by ringing the bell.
- Round 3: This round is known as the Problem of the Day.
- Round 4: True or False statements are given to the contestants in turns. The objective is to determine whether each statement is true or false. A correctly answered question fetches 2 points. A wrongly answered question attracts a penalty of -1 point.
- Round 5: Riddles; clues are given to the contesting schools. The schools compete against each other to find the answers to the riddles. Getting the correct answer on the first clue fetches 5 points. On the second clue, 4 points are awarded for a correct answer. On the third or any other subsequent clue, a question answered correctly is given 3 points.
NSMQ: A Legacy of Champions (1994 - 2025)
Since its inception, only 11 schools have emerged victorious in the NSMQ, highlighting the exclusive nature of this accomplishment. Interestingly, no all-girls school has claimed the title yet, and Achimota School remains the only mixed school among the champions.
Here is the complete list of winners, as documented by gesupdates.com, showcasing the rich history of the competition:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Prempeh College |
| 1995 | PRESEC-Legon |
| 1996 | Prempeh College |
| 1997 | Opoku Ware Senior High School |
| 1998 | Achimota School |
| 1999 | Mfantsipim School |
| 2000 | St Peter's Senior High School |
| 2001 | Pope John Senior High School |
| 2002 | Opoku Ware Senior High School |
| 2003 | PRESEC-Legon |
| 2004 | Achimota School |
| 2005 | St Peter's Senior High School |
| 2006 | PRESEC-Legon |
| 2007 | St Augustine's College |
| 2008 | PRESEC-Legon |
| 2009 | PRESEC-Legon |
| 2010 | No Competition |
| 2011 | No Competition |
| 2012 | Ghana Secondary Technical School |
| 2013 | St Thomas Aquinas |
| 2014 | Mfantsipim School |
| 2015 | Prempeh College |
| 2016 | Adisadel College |
| 2017 | Prempeh College |
| 2018 | St Peter's Senior High School |
| 2019 | St. Augustine's College |
| 2022 | PRESEC-Legon |
| 2023 | PRESEC-Legon |
| 2024 | Mfantsipim School |
| 2025 | Mfantsipim School |
PRESEC leads the NSMQ hall of fame with eight titles, solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse. Their consecutive wins in 2008 and 2009, as well as their record for consecutive regional championships, are testament to their dominance. Mfantsipim School is the second school to win the competition twice in a row (2024 & 2025). Achimota School is the only coeducational school to have won the competition.
Impact and Legacy
Undoubtedly, the NSMQ has sparked a relatively high interest in the study of science at the secondary level of education among students. The dexterity, brilliance and showmanship displayed at the sessions demonstrate that Ghana is well-placed in the study of science academically. The paradox, however, is whether this epitome of knowledge is being harnessed for national development. All things being equal, we should be seeing, at least, corresponding scientific ingenuities in practice, from our heroes. But Ghana pre-NSMQ and Ghana post-NSMQ of 31 years make no difference. Ghana is too loud in the study of science and silent in the pragmatism of science.
NSMQ is important to the history of Science in Ghana because is it by far the most popular educational program on television.
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