The Ghana Education Service (GES) has awarded a combined cash package of GH¢194,000 to the three schools that reached the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) Grand Finale. This move aims to recognize and reward the academic excellence of Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School (PRESEC Legon), Accra Academy, and St. Augustine's College. The NSMQ Grand Finale was held at the UG Premier Dome in Accra on September 10, 2026.
PRESEC Legon, the champion school, received the highest cash prize of GH¢80,000. This amount was broken down into GH¢40,000 for the school, GH¢20,000 for the team of contestants, and GH¢20,000 for the team of teachers. The school secured a historic ninth NSMQ title, solidifying its reputation in the quiz competition. The GES also awarded the school gold medals for its achievement.
Accra Academy, the silver medallist, received a cash prize of GH¢64,000. The prize was divided into GH¢30,000 for the school, GH¢17,000 for the contestants, and GH¢17,000 for the teachers. This was the school's first time reaching the NSMQ Grand Finale, where they finished as first runners-up. The school's achievement marked a significant milestone in its academic history.
St. Augustine's College, the bronze medallist, received a cash prize of GH¢50,000. The amount was distributed as GH¢20,000 to the school, GH¢15,000 to the contestants, and GH¢15,000 to the teachers. This was the school's third consecutive appearance at the NSMQ Grand Finale, demonstrating its consistent performance in the competition.
In addition to the direct cash prizes, the finalists also benefited from other rewards. Contestants from all three finalist schools received a GH¢15,000 insurance cover each from Coronation Insurance, covering six months. Furthermore, the Kwame Chito Excellence Award distributed 15 laptops to participating finalists to support their transition into university.
The 2026 NSMQ Grand Finale was produced by Primetime Limited with sponsorship from the GES and support from several organizations, including GOIL PLC, Joy News, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Pepsodent, Cowbell, Trustur AI, and Jupay Money Transfer. The event saw a high level of competition, with many hailing it as one of the most competitive finals in recent history.
One of the notable beneficiaries of the NSMQ is Jason Antwi-Agyei from PRESEC Legon. He gained admission to study Mechanical Engineering at KNUST just weeks after helping his school clinch the 2026 title. His achievement has garnered significant attention, with fans reacting with excitement to the news of his admission.
Key points
- The Ghana Education Service awarded a combined GH¢194,000 to the three schools that reached the 2026 NSMQ Grand Finale.
- PRESEC Legon received the highest cash prize of GH¢80,000 for securing a historic ninth NSMQ title.
- The 2026 NSMQ finalists also benefited from additional rewards, including insurance covers and laptops to support their academic pursuits.
