By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) won the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) on Thursday. The institution claimed a historic ninth championship title, further extending their unmatched legacy as the most successful school in the history of the national competition. They overcame fierce competition from St Augustine’s College and Accra Academy during a highly anticipated grand finale.
Early Deficits and Comebacks
The Legon-based school initially struggled. They finished the opening round on 9 points. This left them trailing their competitors. St Augustine’s College and Accra Academy ended the first round tied on 11 points. The second round sparked a determined comeback. PRESEC secured eight additional points to reach 17. This drew them level with St Augustine’s. Meanwhile, Accra Academy moved to 14 points.
Seizing the Advantage
The momentum shifted entirely during the third stage. As noted in the event highlights, “The turning point came in Round Three, the Problem of the Day.” PRESEC picked up four more points. This pushed their total tally to 21. St Augustine’s remained on 17. Accra Academy stayed on 14. PRESEC had established a clear lead for the first time in the contest. The battle, however, was far from over.
Maintaining Composure Under Pressure
Accra Academy mounted a strong response in Round Four. They surged to 30 points. St Augustine’s also climbed to 27. The Ɔdadeɛ boys successfully held their ground. They extended their advantage to 34 points. The final round quickly became a “test of composure” for all three academic institutions. The championship trophy sat squarely within reach.
Cementing the ADO9 Legacy
PRESEC added another six points to finish on 40. Accra Academy ended on 33. St Augustine’s remained on 27. A six-point cushion proved enough to secure the title. The
victory secured the “ultimate bragging rights” for the Presecans. It also sent the Ɔdadeɛ boys into the “history books as nine-time NSMQ champions.”
The victory proved fittingly symbolic. The campaign perfectly mirrored their progress, evolving “from nine points at the end of Round One to nine trophies at the end of the contest.” After five rounds of intense competition, the trophy once again belongs to Legon. PRESEC has officially made it nine, cementing the era of ADO9. While the fierce rivalry and tactical shifts underscored the growing competitiveness of Ghana’s premier science competition, the triumph reaffirms the enduring academic dominance of the Legon institution on the national stage.
