When Opoku Ware SHS made history by making it into the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz, it was due to the brilliant exploits of their 16-year-old SHS1 student, Stephen Kofi Apemah-Baah.
His brilliance became public knowledge when Opoku Ware SHS won their quarter-final contest.
Stephen Kofi Apemah-Baah has a lot of great stories behind his success, which document how he ended up in the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz.
In 2021, while in JHS 2, Stephen took part in the KNUST College of Sciences Junior Science and Maths Quiz. However, he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Junior High School version of the Science and Maths Quiz.
This outcome, instead of breaking him down, challenged him even more to prove his prowess.
When he got promoted to JHS3, he had the chance to contest the KNUST College of Sciences Junior Science and Maths Quiz again.
Just as preparation helps us meet opportunities, and experience helps us excel, Stephen and his colleagues at the Good Shepherd R/C JHS reached the finals of the 2022 edition of the quiz and also won the competition.
When the 2022 BECE results were released, the Good Shepherd R/C JHS graduate who doubles as a maths and science prodigy produced a perfect BECE grade by obtaining 9 ones in the 2022 BECE.
His performance was documented as a perfect outing, and he was honoured with a Presidential award for scoring 9 ones in the 2022 BECE.
When the 2022 school placements were released, Stephen Kofi Apemah-Baah was admitted to the Opoku Ware School to start his Senior High School education in 2023 as a General Science student.
Stephen, the 16-year-old SHS one student, has already made history as the first form-one student to carry the school on his shoulders into the Grand Finale of NSMQ.
The entire Opoku Ware school is solidly behind Stephen, and, together with this colleague contestants, they are preparing how to silence Presec Legon and Achimota School in the finals slated for October 31st, 2023 in Accra.
The NSMQ trophy drought needs to be broken after their 1997 and 2002 wins; they have had to wait for nearly 21 years to have another wonder kid to do the job for them in 2023. A win for Opoku Ware will move their trophy tally at the NSMQ to three
The exploits of Stephen as an SHS1 student should inspire confidence in all students in Junior High and Senior High schools to challenge themselves. Students who want to study STEM must also work hard to get the best out of it.
Junior High Schools should also give their learners the chance to take part in science-related quizzes, both internally and externally to help them build an interest in such subjects and competitions.
We all look forward to Stephen Kofi Apemah-Baah making history by winning the 2023 NSMQ with Opoku Ware School.
As many will say, a win for Opoku Ware School in the grand final of the NSMQ quiz will help prevent noise pollution from the likes of PRESEC Legon and Achimota Schools which are located in Accra.
READ: 2023 Private WASSCE (NovDec) Super Revison Questions and Answers
THE NSMQ MEDALS TABLE FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS
| School | Years Won |
|---|---|
| Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Legon | 1995, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2020, 2022 |
| Prempeh College, Kumasi | 1994, 1996, 2015, 2017, 2021 |
| Opoku Ware School, Kumasi | 1997, 2002 |
| Achimota School, Accra | 1998, 2004 |
| Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast | 1999, 2014 |
| St. Peter’s Secondary School, Nkwatia | 2000, 2005, 2018 |
| St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast | 2008, 2019 |
| Ghana Secondary Technical School, Takoradi | 2012 |
| St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Accra | 2013 |
| Adisadel College | 2016 |
| Pope John Secondary School, Koforidua | 2001 |
WHO WINS 2023? | ???? |