PRESEC Dethrones Defending Champs at Ghana's NSMQ 2026

The revenge was two years in the making, and PRESEC-Legon made every point count.

Ghana's prestigious National Science and Maths Quiz delivered a thrilling showdown on Sunday as eight-time champions PRESEC-Legon defeated defending champions Mfantsipim School in the quarter-finals. The victory was especially sweet for PRESEC, whose title dreams Mfantsipim had crushed in the 2024 semi-finals.

This wasn't just another quiz match. Mfantsipim arrived chasing history: a third consecutive championship that would perfectly cap their 150th anniversary celebration. PRESEC came with their own dreams of a record-breaking ninth title and a chance to even the score.

PRESEC set the tone immediately, finishing Round One with 23 points to Mfantsipim's 19. They never looked back, maintaining their lead through each round while Presby SHS Bompata fought to keep pace.

The defending champions mounted a strong final-round push, but PRESEC's composure under pressure proved decisive. They finished with 56 points to Mfantsipim's 39, securing their spot in the semi-finals and ending the defending champions' title defense.

Why This Inspires

Ghana's NSMQ isn't just a quiz competition. It's become a national celebration of academic excellence that captivates the entire country, filling stadiums and trending on social media. These students represent the best of Ghana's education system, and their dedication to science and mathematics inspires younger students across the nation.

The competition shows what happens when young minds are given a platform to shine. For weeks, Ghana has watched these brilliant students tackle complex problems with speed and precision, proving that academic achievement can be just as exciting as any sporting event.

PRESEC's victory also tells a story about resilience. After their 2024 heartbreak, they could have crumbled. Instead, they worked harder and returned stronger, showing students everywhere that setbacks are just setups for comebacks.

The three schools that competed Sunday represent decades of academic tradition and thousands of students who've walked their halls. Seeing them push each other to excellence reminds us that healthy competition brings out the best in everyone.

Now PRESEC stands one round away from a chance at their ninth championship, a record that would cement their place in Ghanaian educational history and inspire the next generation of young scientists and mathematicians.