It’s that time of the year when the best schools in Ghana will battle it out for the most prestigious NSMQ trophy. This is where the bragging rights are shared, where the men are separated from the boys. For 30 solid years, the National Science and Maths Quiz has never been short of drama, comebacks and some thrilling contests. But have you ever wondered why it all began?
HOW NSMQ STARTED
The National Science And Maths Quiz which is now held in high esteem interestingly started as a joke on University of Ghana Legon’s tennis court.
Mr. Kwaku Mensa-Bonsu, then Managing Director of Primetime in 1993 went to Legon to play tennis with a group scientists. During the game something mind-blowing happened which brought the idea of NSMQ.
Mr. Mensah together with the scientists couldn’t simply understand why an electric wire can’t electrocute birds but rather human beings. This scenario led them to set up a quiz team to help students develop quick thinking and a probing and scientific mind about the things around them, while fostering healthy academic rivalry among senior high schools.
HOW IT’S GOING
The quiz started off with only 32 schools which was later increased to 40 in 2000.
13 years later, it was further extended to 81 schools. Initially the plan was to host this quiz between two schools on a knockout basis, however only 66 schools reported in 2013 leaving them with no option than to change the format to 3 schools per contest and that has been the norm till now. From 2014, 135 schools have been competing for the ultimate.
Read Also, Rejected Achimota Rasta Guy Represent Them In 2023 NSMQ
PAST WINNERS
While others can boldly say they are the GOAT of the quiz, NSMQ has over the years seen some schools making history. The Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (Presec) is indeed serving a living God having been champions seven times. Prempeh despite been the first school to win to competition follows keenly with 5 trophies. St Peter’s Senior High joins the big boys with 3 wins. Opoku Ware, St Augustine’s and Mfantsipim have all won it twice. GSTS, the Giants from the West among others have won it once.
Quiz Mistresses
The first quiz mistress was the late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy, professor of Biochemistry at the University of Ghana.
In 2000, she handed over to Dr. Eureka Emefa Adomako, a botanist at the University of Ghana, Legon. However, the current face of the Quiz, Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, the Head of the Biomedical Engineering department, University of Ghana, Legon took NSMQ to a whole new level from 2006 till now.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS YEAR’S EDITION OF NSMQ
Already 27 schools have been seeded awaiting others who have to qualify at the regional level. This year’s edition promises to be the best as we witnessed some thrilling contests in various regions. Sit back and relax, Nyasapor have you covered.
