NSMQ 2026: The Wait Is Over, Cape Coast Comes Alive as Schools Arrive for the National Championship!
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) campus is buzzing with a familiar energy. Buses are rolling in, luggage is piling up, school uniforms are filling the walkways, and teams from across the country are arriving ahead of the 2026 National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) National Championship.
Students in colourful school uniforms move through the campus with luggage in tow, while teachers and coordinators settle their teams into camp for weeks of intense intellectual competition.
Although the Preliminary Stage begins on Thursday, August 20, some schools began arriving as early as Sunday, August 16, choosing to settle in early, catch their breath and prepare for the battle ahead. For them, early arrival is more than convenience; it is part of the strategy.
Elizabeth Ama Dick of Shama SHS told the NSMQ communications team that the team chose to arrive early to avoid the pressure of last-minute preparations and focus fully on their training.
“We came here early so that when our competition is near, it wouldn’t be much of a stress for us. We came to prepare well and avoid any rush when it’s time for us to compete. We want to go higher than we did last year.”
For many of the students, the NSMQ is more than just another competition. It is the culmination of months of preparation, with teams drilling questions, memorising formulas and sharpening their buzzer speed in anticipation of the national stage.
The team from Tamale Islamic Science Senior High School arrived in the early hours of Monday after travelling through the night, determined to make amends for their early exit at last year’s Preliminary Stage. This time around, months of preparation have given the team renewed confidence and a stronger resolve to go further in the competition.
Yanin Prince of Tamale Islamic Science SHS told the NSMQ Communications Team:
“This year we’re expecting something bigger. We have trained, and Almighty Allah will help us so that we’ll go higher in the competition this year.”
For Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School, the journey to Cape Coast follows a successful win during the Regional Qualifiers.
Mirabella Tia from Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School told the NSMQ Communications team that, they are excited to be back on the national stage and ready to take on the challenge ahead.
“The Regional Qualifiers was hectic, but by God’s grace, we made it through. We won our contest. We feel very excited coming here once again. We’ll do our best and see how far God can send us.”
That excitement is shared by schools arriving from across the country, as 45 schools have so far made their way to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) campus ahead of the National Championship.
Among the early arrivals are:
1. • Nsutaman Catholic SHS | 2. • Presbyterian Senior High School, Adeiso |
3. • St. Louis SHS | 4. • Ghana SHS, Koforidua |
5. • Simms SHS | 6. • Presbyterian Senior High School, Bechem |
7. • St. Hubert Seminary SHS | 8. • Serwaa Kesse Girls' SHS |
9. • St. Joseph Seminary SHS – Mampong | 10. • Mansen SHS, Wamfie |
11. • Serwaa Nyarko Girls' SHS | 12. • Sacred Heart SHS-Nsoatre |
13. • Jachie Pramso SHS | 14. • Wenchi Methodist Senior High School |
15. • Boa Amponsem Senior High School | 16. • Osei Kyeretwie SHS |
17. • Mankessim Senior High Technical School | 18. • St. Mary's SHS |
19. • Nyakrom Senior High Technical School | 20. • Accra Girls' SHS |
21. • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Girls SHS | 22. • Kalpohin Senior High School |
23. • Techiman SHS | 24. • Tamale Islamic Science SHS, Tamale |
25. • Tuobodom Senior High/Technical School | 26. • Tamale Senior High School |
27. • Anum Presby Senior High School | 28. • Nkonya Senior High School |
29. • Ghana SHS, Koforidua | 30. • St. Mary's Seminary SHS, Lolobi |
31. • Pentecost SHS | 32. • Salaga T. I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School |
33. • Adiembra SHS | 34. • Amenfiman SHS |
35. • Shama Senior High School | 36. • Bolgatanga Girls' SHS |
37. • Notre Dame Seminary SHS | 38. • Awudome SHS |
39. • Bishop Herman College | 40. • Kpando Senior High |
41. • OLA SHS, Ho | 42. • Vakpo SHS |
43. • Wovenu Senior High Technical School | 44. • Sonrise Christian SHS |
45. • Hohoe E. P. SHS |
As more teams arrive and settle into camp, anticipation continues to build across the UCC campus. For some, the 2026 National Championship is a chance at redemption; for others, it is their first opportunity to make their mark on the national stage. Soon, the quiet corridors will give way to buzzing rooms, quick calculations and the race against the clock.
The stage is set. The teams are ready. And the journey to crown the 2026 NSMQ champions is officially underway.
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The 2026 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by the Ghana Education Service (GES), with support from Goil PLC, Joy News, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Trustur AI, Jupay Money Transfer, GTP, SpinCiti Laundromat, Didi Jollof, Bel Beverages, Accra College of Medicine and Academic City University.
