The Grand Finale of the 2024 National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) saw three academic powerhouses go head-to-head: Mfantsipim School, St Augustine’s College, and Keta Senior High Technical School. The much-anticipated Grand Finale, held at the National Examination Centre, featured remarkable displays of intellect, competitive spirit, and an electric atmosphere, as Mfantsipim School clinched their third championship title, their first in ten years.
Each school entered the stage with their school anthems amid the cheers from the supporters. The Quiz Mistress, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, set a light-hearted tone by asking the contestants what winning the competition would mean to them. Mfantsipim School’s contestants expressed that it would mean "everything" to them, while Keta SHTS maintained they had expected victory as "just a normal feeling." St. Augustine’s College noted that their win would help address challenges in their communities.
The First Round saw each school showcase their zeal for the title, with St. Augustine’s College and Mfantsipim School tying at 24 points, while Keta SHTS followed with 13 points.
Round Two, known as the ‘Prudential Life Insurance Speed Race’, began cautiously as each school tried to protect their points. St. Augustine’s College added ten points to extend their lead, with Mfantsipim School closely following with an additional seven points. Keta SHTS stumbled slightly, losing a point after an incorrect response.
In Round Three, the 'Problem of the Day,' contestants tackled a biology question on the digestion of "Gob3" - a popular Ghanaian dish. St Augustine’s College scored five points for partially correct answers, while Mfantsipim School gained three points. Keta Senior High Technical School followed with four points for their effort.
In the Fourth Round, 'Jupay Money Transfer: True or False,' each school put up their best. St Augustine’s College maintained the lead with 46 points, Mfantsipim School edged closer with 44 points, and Keta Senior High Technical School held steady at 26 points.
At this point, the iconic NSMQ trophy was brought to the stage, reminding the contestants of their purpose and the stakes at hand. Professor Kaufmann encouraged them to stay focused as they entered the final round.
The fifth and last round, the "GOIL Riddle Bonanza," kept supporters on edge. Keta SHTS successfully answered the first riddle, while Mfantsipim School answered the third riddle correctly, stirring a celebratory roar from their supporters chanting, “God is a MOBA.” In the end, Mfantsipim School secured the final riddle, clinching the top position.
With a single-point difference from St Augustine’s College, Mfantsipim School triumphed with 47 points, reclaiming the NSMQ title after a ten-year gap. St. Augustine’s College finished as the first runner-up with 46 points, and Keta SHTS took second runner-up place with 33 points.
Adding to their victory, Mfantsipim School earned the Pepsodent Highest Scorer Award, receiving GHC 10,000. They also won GHC 1,000 for answering a riddle in the GOIL Super Bonanza. Keta SHTS walked away with GHC 2,000 for answering two riddles.
This win for Mfantsipim School earned them gold medals sponsored by PMMC, a cash prize of GHS 30,000 from the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the NSMQ trophy. Additionally, GOIL PLC awarded GHS 20,000 to the winning team of contestants and another GHS 20,000 to their teachers.
For their second-place finish, St. Augustine’s College received silver medals from PMMC, a GHS 20,000 cash prize from GES, and an additional GHS 15,000 each for the contestants and teachers, provided by GOIL.
Keta Senior High Technical School, placing third, was awarded bronze medals by PMMC, a GHS 15,000 prize from GES, and GHS 10,000 each for the contestants and teachers’ courtesy of GOIL.
As a final gesture, each of the top three schools received GHS 20,000 from the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Of this amount, GHS 10,000 was allocated to the team of contestants, GHS 5,000 to the school, and GHS 5,000 to the teachers.
The National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by the Ghana Education Service, in partnership with GOIL PLC, and supported by Joy News, Pepsodent, Jupay Money Transfer, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Beta Malt, ALX, KIVO, Bel Beverages, Flora Tissues, Coronation Insurance, Accra College of Medicine, University of Mines & Technology (UMaT), Academic City University College, PMMC Jewellery, GTP, CHASS, YFM and Girlmark Foundation.
The Round-by-Round Scores for this contest stood as follows:
Round One General Questions (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology)
St. Augustine’s College 24
Keta SHTS 13
Mfantispim School 24
Round Two (Prudential Life Speed Race)
St. Augustine’s College 34
Keta SHTS 12
Mfantispim School 31
Round Three (Problem of the Day)
St. Augustine’s College +5 39
Keta SHTS +4 16
Mfantispim School +3 34
Round Four (Jupay Money Transfer True/False)
St. Augustine’s College 46
Keta SHTS 26
Mfantispim School 44
Round Five (GOIL Riddle Bonanza)
St. Augustine’s College 46
Keta SHTS 33
Mfantispim School 47
The National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by the Ghana Education Service, in partnership with GOIL PLC, and supported by Joy News, Pepsodent, Jupay Money Transfer, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Beta Malt, ALX, KIVO, Bel Beverages, Flora Tissues, Coronation Insurance, Accra College of Medicine, University of Mines & Technology (UMaT), Academic City University College, PMMC Jewellery, GTP, CHASS, YFM and Girlmark Foundation.