The National Science & Maths Quiz is Ghana’s most celebrated and anticipated annual science and mathematics national-level quiz competition for senior high schools in Ghana. The program is very popular with senior high school students, parents especially, and former students (old boys and girls), who take great pride in the performance of their schools on this program. The NSMQ is the longest-running independent program on Ghanaian television.
Since the beginning of the NSMQ, only 11 schools have won so far. No all-girls senior high school has ever won the NSMQ. Achimota SHS is the only mixed school to have won the NSMQ amongst the various boys’ schools with the winning record.
Over the years, senior high schools in Ghana have used the National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) platform to bring honour to their schools, and acknowledge that indeed, they are the crème de la crème schools in the country.
For decades, this prestigious competition has brought together the brightest young minds from across the globe to showcase their genius and solve mind-boggling equations. From intense quizzes that keep us on the edge of our seats to jaw-dropping moments of brilliance, the NSMQ has become an iconic event that celebrates the power of knowledge and fosters a spirit of healthy competition.
So, get ready to be amazed, inspired, and maybe even a little envious, as we take you on a rollercoaster ride through the unforgettable victories and legendary champions who have left an indelible mark on the NSMQ’s storied history. Let’s celebrate the triumph of brilliance, honour the champions who have earned their place in the NSMQ Hall of Fame, and relish the thrill of the quest for knowledge as we unveil the Top 10 Winners of NSMQ.
- Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC – Legon)
PRESEC Legon won the NSMQ title seven times in 1995, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2020, and 2022. They have set many records on their journey to the seventh championship. One such record is that PRESEC–Legon is the first school nationwide to win the Regional Championship title in two consecutive years, a record they also hold for the National Championship after winning the NSMQ title back-to-back in 2008 and 2009. PRESEC qualified for four successive NSMQ finals Let’s look at their journey up to this point.
They competed in the semifinals for a spot in the finals in an action-packed contest with St. James Seminary and Kumasi High School. PRESEC came out as the winner in that contest and secured a lace in the finals. This meant that PRESEC qualified for four successive NSMQ finals (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). The final was between Prempeh College, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary, Legon, and Adisadel College. PRESEC Legonsealed their NSMQ dominance in 2022 with a record seventh title, a deserved victory to confirm their place as the “Kings of the NSMQ”.
In 2021, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School demonstrated its supremacy by prevailing over their opponents, Ghana SHS, Tamale, and St. Mary’s Boys’ SHS in the One-eighth Stage of the competition. PRESEC, Legon retained their Greater Accra Regional Championship title after defeating Achimota School, Chemu SHS, and Odorgonno SHS. They then scored 70 points at the end of five rounds to win their Quarter-final encounter with Swedru SHS and Techiman SHS. PRESEC booked its ticket to the finals after beating St. Peter’s SHS and Chemu SHS in their Semi-final Stage contest. Unfortunately, they did not win the competition that year.
Presec, Legon produced a remarkable speed and accuracy performance to progress into the semifinal of the 2019 National Science & Maths Quiz. Their contenders, Pope John SHS, and Quarterfinal debutants, St John’s School were no match at the quarterfinal stage. They progressed to the semi-final stage and contested with Opoku Ware School and Adisadel College. They progressed to the finals and competed with St. Augustine’s College and St. Peter’s Senior High School, but they did not win the trophy.
Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School won the NSMQ 2020 Quarterfinal Stage in a contest against Aggrey Memorial SHS and Sunyani SHS. Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, then competed at the semifinal stage with Kumasi Academy and Aburi Presby SHTS. At the end of the contest, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Legon cemented their place at the Grand Finale with 66 points. They went on to win the trophy
2. Prempeh College
Prempeh College won the NSMQ title five times in 1994, 1996, 2015, 2017 and 2021. It was the first school to win the NSMQ.
In 2022 the defending champions once again booked a spot in the Finals of the National Championship. In a nerve-racking semi-final contest, they emerged winners over Mfantsipim School and Presbyterian SHS, Abetifi. Prempeh College faced Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary, Legon, and Adisadel College in the Grand Finale of the 2022 National Championship. They were not victorious.
In 2021, Prempeh College secured a slot in the semi-final stage of the competition after a victory over Sogakope SHS and Anglican SHS in their quarter-final stage contest. Before then, they qualified for the quarter-final stage by beating Tema Methodist SHS and Nkoranza SHTS with a significant point difference at the one-eighth stage. Prempeh College qualified for the grand finale after beating Opoku Ware School and KNUST SHS, in the semi-finals. They then went on to contest in the finals against PRESEC, Legon, and Keta Senior High School. They emerged as the champions that year.
Prempeh College started its NSMQ2017 campaign by eliminating St. Louis SHS and Toase SHS at the one-eighth stage to make it to the quarter-finals. The champions then beat Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) and Aduman SHS in the quarter-final stage. Mfantsipim School and Mawuli School fell prey to Prempeh College in the semi-finals ahead of the grand finale. Prempeh College was crowned as champions of the 2017 National Science & Maths Quiz after beating St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Adisadel College at the grand finale.
The semifinal contest was between Achimota School, Accra Academy, and Prempeh College. Prempeh College won the 2015 NSMQ after beating Adisadel College and University Practice in the finals.
It is not all good news for Prempeh College as they were kicked out of the competition at the quarterfinal stage by Wesley Girls’ SHS in 2019. In 2018, they were knocked out of the competition by West Africa SHS in the semifinal contest. The 2016 quarter finals ended victoriously for Mfantsipim School while Prempeh College lost.
3. St. Peter’s Senior High School, Nkwatia
St. Peter’s Senior High School won the NSMQ title three times in 2000, 2005, and 2018. They also set a few records along the way: becoming the first school to answer all four riddles correctly in the final round in 2020
St. Peter’s SHS began their NSMQ2018 campaign from the preliminary stage of the competition slowly building momentum to beat Notre Dame SHS and St. Martin’s SHS to sail through to the one-eighth stage of the competition. St. Peter’s SHS crashed Keta SHTS and Mawuli School, two Volta Region-based institutions in the semifinal contest to sail through to the final stage to win the trophy that year.
St. Peter’s qualified for the semifinal of the NSMQ in 2021 and competed with Chemu SHS and PRESEC Legon. Before beating Sonrise SHS and Bolgatanga SHS to book the first slot in the Semi-final stage of the competition, St. Peter’s SHS first beat Notre Dame Girls’ SHS and Notre Dame Seminary SHS to make it to the Quarter-final stage. PRESEC won that contest and that was the end of the journey for St. Peter’s SHS that year.
The journey was also cut short for St. Peter’s SHS as Mfantsipim School eliminated St. Peter’s School, their longtime rival, and Kwahu Ridge SHTS in an exciting one-eighth-stage contest of the 2017 National Science & Maths Quiz.
Although St. Peter’s did not win the trophy in 2019, they made it all the way to the finals after defeating Wesley Girls’ High School and Tepa Senior High School in the semifinals.
4. Achimota School
Achimota School won the NSMQ title twice in 1998 and 2004. In recent years, Achimota has been struggling in the NSMQ. It’s been at least 19 years since Achimota Shs won the trophy.
Achimota School inched closer to the trophy in 2022 as they progressed to the One-eighth stage after a plausible win over Okuapemann School and Navrongo SHS. Unfortunately, Reigning NSMQ Champions – PRESEC, Legon retained their Greater Accra Regional Championship title after defeating Achimota School, Chemu SHS, and Odorgonno SHS.
In 2021 Tamale SHS qualified for the Quarterfinal stage of the contest, after beating Achimota School and Kalpohin SHS at the one-eighth stage. This makes it the second time Tamale SHS has prevailed over Achimota School. The first time was in 2018, when Tamale SHS won the contest against Achimota School by a three-point margin, also at the One-eighth Stage. Unfortunately, Reigning NSMQ Champions – PRESEC, Legon retained their Greater Accra Regional Championship title after defeating Achimota School, Chemu SHS, and Odorgonno SHS.
In 2020, it looked as though Achimota will end their drought after they beat Adventist SHS and St. Hubert Seminary SHS at the one-eighth stage. Hopes continued to be high as Achimota School won the quarterfinals against Prempeh College and Anglican SHS. They then went on to compete in the semifinals against Adisadel College and Keta SHS. Adisadel won the contest and Achimota lost.
The story was not much better for Achimota School in 2019 as they could not progress to the semifinal having been kicked out of the competition by Wesley Girls’ SHS.
Two-time National Science & Maths Quiz champions, Achimota School, suffered yet another defeat in the competition, as they lost to Tamale SHS at the one-eighth stage of the 2018 National Science & Maths Quiz and Science Festival.
5. Opoku Ware Senior High School
Opoku Ware Senior High School won the NSMQ title twice, first in 1997 and 2002.
Though they have not always won the trophy, they have had a few victories along the way including in 2020 when they made the eighth appearance at the NSMQ Grand Finale after defeating Accra Academy and Boa Amponsem SHS in the semifinal stage. Before that, they were the first to secure a slot in the semifinals after eliminating Holy Child School and Wesley Girls’ High School.
In 2022 Opoku Ware School slid in with a late yet thundering win in the quarterfinals after defeating Keta SHTS and Adventist SHS. After makingit to the semifinals, they contested with Adisadel College and St. Augustine’s College. Adisadel College prevailed leaving Opoku Ware in the dust.
In 2021, they once again made it to the semifinals to compete against Prempeh College and Sogakope SHS. Opoku Ware had the SPEED but unfortunately, they lost to Prempeh College.
They have suffered some defeats along the way as well. In 2018 they were crashed out of the contest by Mawuli School in a heated competition at the quarterfinal stage. This is the third time in two years the “Akatakyies” have lost a contest to a Volta Region-based institution.
In 2019, they were once again sent packing at the semifinals by PRESEC Legon. Previously, they did well by defeating University Practice Senior High School and Giant Slayers, St. Ignatius of Loyola in the Quarterfinals, but was not able to withstand the pressure from the PRESEC Legon.
6. Mfantsipim School
Mfantsipim School also won the NSMQ title twice in 1999 and 2014.
On the road to the top 10, Mfantsipim has suffered some defeats along the way. In 2021 Ghana National College beat both Mfantsipim School and T.I. AMASS in their One-eighth Stage contest. This made it the third consecutive time Mfantsipim School failed to make it to the Quarterfinal stage of the competition. In 2020, they were kicked out at the one-eighth stage by Kumasi Academy, and in 2019 their dream of winning the NSMQ title was stopped by St. Augustine’s College.
They also enjoyed some victories along the way. Mfantsipim crashed the hopes of PRESEC Legon at the quarterfinal stage by dominating the entire contest to pick the first semifinal slot of the 2018 NSMQ.
One of their greatest victories was when they were adjudged winners of the 2014 edition of the National Science and Maths Quiz after beating Ghana Secondary Technical School and St. Francis Xavier Jr. Seminary in the final round of the competition. Before then, they beat Keta SHS and St. Peters in the quarter-finals and booked their place in the semi-finals.
7. St. Augustine’s College
St. Augustine’s College also won the NSMQ twice in 2007 and 2019.
2007 Champions, St Augustine’s College secured a spot at the semifinals of the 2019 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz, crushing Tamale Senior High School and Boa Ampomsem Senior High in a tough contest. The semifinal contest which featured St Augustine’s College, Keta SHTS, and Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) saw St. Augistine’s sailing through. In the Grand Finale between St. Augustine College, St. Peter’s SHS, and PRESEC Legon, AUGUSCO came out as the winner.
St. Augustine’s slipped in 2017 with a preliminary stage defeat and also failed to qualify for the 2018 competition. This win was a way to silence their critics.
St. Augustine’s College suffered some losses after their victory in 2019. In 2020 in a contest with Accra Academy and Kumasi Secondary Technical School, Accra Academy toppled St. Augustine’s College, in an incredible battle of wits in the Quarterfinal Stage.
St. Augustine’s College secured a win in 2021 over St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Anlo SHS to qualify for the quarter-finals, however, they did not survive the quarter-finals as they were kicked out by Chemu SHS.
In 2022, St. Augustine’s College prevailed over Osei Tutu SHS and Ghana National College in the quarterfinal and made it to the Semi Final Stage of the National Championship. They did not make it to the finals however as Adisadel College slid into the Finals of the National Championship with a late win against Opoku Ware School and St. Augustine’s College.
8. Adisadel College
Adisadel College won the NSMQ title once in 2016.
In the quarter-finals, ADISCO competed with Tamale SHS and Benkum SHS, won, and proceeded to win the semifinals as well. The final contest was between Adisadel College, Mfantsipim School, and Opoku Ware. Having been to the finals two consecutive times, 2015 and 2016, Adisadel College, was not ready to let go thus, fought fiercely to emerge winners of the 2016 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz.
They fought to retain the trophy in 2017 as they competed against Suhum SHTS and Nkroful Agric SHS in the one-eighth-stage contest. They won and made it all the way to the finals as they competed against Prempeh College, St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, but could not retain the title. The trophy was passed on to Prempeh College.
Adisadel College fought even harder for the trophy when they made it to the Grand Finale of the 2018 National Science & Maths Quiz after beating Ghana National College and their arch-rivals, Mfantsipim Schools, in a heated semifinal contest. This was the fourth time in succession that Adisadel College has made it to the finals; a feat no other school has attained since the inception of NSMQ. Unfortunately, they did not win the trophy that year/ either.
Adisadel College made it to the semifinals in 2020 by brutally defeating a three-time NSMQ champion St. Peter’s SHS and OLA SHS and proceeded to the Grand Finale. The Grand Finale featured a truly intense contest between Adisadel College, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, and Opoku Ware School. In 2019, the three schools locked horns at the Semifinal Stage with Presbyterian Boys Secondary School kicking out their contenders. The story was no different as Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School once again maintained its ranking as the highest winning team in NSMQ history.
They again made it to the Grand Finale again in 2022 when they competed with PRESEC Legon and Prempeh College. Their hopes of winning the trophy for the second time were shattered as PRESEC took the trophy.
Before winning the NSMQ title in 2016, they came very close to winning in 2015 as they made it to the finals and placed second by just 3 points. Prempeh College took the trophy that year.
9. St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School won the NSMQ title once in 2013. After this win, they struggled in subsequent years to win it again.
After winning the title in 2013, they hoped to retain the title as they again made it to the semifinals in 2014 and competed with Archbishop Porter Girls SHS and Anglican SHS. They couldn’t keep the title however and lost it to Mfantsipim at the finals.
In 2017, St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, put up a sterling performance to beat Juaso SHTS and Bishop Herman College at the one-eighth stage of the 2017 National Science & Maths Quiz. Ghana’s social media space held its breath as Prempeh College, St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School and Adisadel College battled it out at the Grand Finale for the most coveted trophy in the country. Once again, they couldn’t win the trophy, Prempeh took it.
In 2019, St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Nkwatia Presby SHS were kicked out of the National Science and Maths Quiz by Achimota SHS at the one-eighth stage. St. Thomas Aquinas didn’t get far that year. Prempeh College started its journey from the Regional Qualifiers in 2020 and snatched the Quarterfinal slot from St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Asanteman SHS.
At the one-eighth stage in 2021, St. Augustine’s College recorded a convincing win over St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Anlo SHS. St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Wesley Girls’ High School were ousted from the contest at the quarterfinal stage in 2018.
In 2022, Prempeh College progressed to the Quarter-final stage after defeating the Preliminary Stage “highest scorer” – St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and Ofori Panin SHS. After competing against Opoku Ware and Adisadel College in the semi-finals, they were kicked out by Adisadel College.
10. Pope John Secondary School
Pope John SHS won the NSMQ title once in 2001. Surprisingly, POJOSS has only won the trophy once and has suffered quite several defeats after that. They performed well in most years as they made it all the way to the quarter-finals.
In 2019, they competed against PRESEC, Legon, and St. John’s School. PRESEC, Legon produced a remarkable speed and accuracy performance and progressed into the semifinal knocking out POJOSS.
In 2022, they again competed in a thrilling contest at the quarter-finals with PRESEC and Accra Academy, with PRESEC coming out as the winner. In 2021, they again competed in the quarter-finals against Wesley Girls and Konongo-Odumase SHS. The same story unfolded in 2020 when they competed with Kumasi Academy and Armed Forces SHTS at the quarter-final stage.
Of the 134 senior high schools from all regions of Ghana who competed in 2016, 27 made it to the quarter-finals with Pope John being one of them.
After competing in the competition all these years, Pope John never quite tasted victory before and after 2001. Their highest achievement was to be crowned at least as one of the winners of the NSMQ, which is no easy feat.
