The National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) has, over the years, become one of Ghana’s most prestigious academic competitions, a stage where schools proudly showcase their intellectual strength and academic excellence. It’s a platform that not only highlights the brightest minds but also inspires younger students across the country to pursue excellence in science and mathematics.
Sadly, for yet another year, no school from the Upper West Region has made it beyond the group stages. Even St. Francis Xavier Junior Seminary, one of the most reputable schools in the region with a long history of academic brilliance, could not progress to the quarterfinals. This disappointing trend raises a crucial question: What could be the cause of our schools’ inability to qualify for the finals?
Several factors may explain this situation. Many schools in the Upper West Region lack adequate preparation resources — science laboratories are under-equipped, teachers are overburdened, and the students often have limited access to experienced quiz coaches and mentors. Meanwhile, schools from other regions, particularly the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions, receive massive institutional and alumni support, ensuring that their teams are well-trained, well-resourced, and psychologically ready for the contest.
It is time for philanthropic individuals, organisations, and institutions within the Upper West Region to step in. Our schools have talented and brilliant students who can be groomed and coached to compete favorably with the so-called “big schools.” What they need is motivation, support, and the right learning environment. The region must invest in training camps, inter-school quiz contests, and mentorship programmes that will build a strong foundation for future champions.
It is quite disappointing that the Upper West Region remains absent on the big stage of the NSMQ. The pride and honour that come with representing the region at the national level are missing and that should concern every education stakeholder. This is a wake-up call to school administrators, teachers, and all those responsible for preparing students for the competition.
Old students also have a critical role to play. Across Ghana, alumni associations are known to sponsor quiz teams, hire professional coaches, and provide resources to help their schools excel. Can’t we in the Upper West Region do the same? Can’t we channel our admiration for other schools’ achievements into action for our own? The success of our schools in the NSMQ should be a collective responsibility, one that unites us around the goal of academic excellence.
The National Science and Maths Quiz is not just a competition; it’s a reflection of a region’s commitment to education and intellectual growth. The Upper West Region must rise and make its mark. The talent is here, what’s left is the will to nurture it.
The people of the Upper West Region are watching!
FAB's Gist.
Fredrick Kuupille
Oct 28, 2025 7:46 amAnother excellent piece 👌. Keep on writing
Musah Yakubu
Oct 28, 2025 8:08 amWell done, senior. It is actually worrying for Upper West schools not to be progressing far in this competition. We need to do something.
Michael Ziem Kuufaar
Oct 28, 2025 10:13 amWell said. I got so disappointed with the kind of score they