Story By: Felix Ernest Odamtten / Mohammed Faisel Mustapha….
Board Chairman of the Governing Council of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) and Global President of the PRESEC Old Boys Association (Ɔdadeɛ), Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, has congratulated the school’s National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) team following its historic capture of a ninth national championship.
Dr. Ofori Sarpong, who was present at the NSMQ Grand Finale at the University of Ghana, Legon, described the triumph as a moment of immense pride for the school and a particularly special personal gift, after the contestants fulfilled a promise to present him with the coveted trophy as a birthday present.
Reflecting on the emotional significance of the victory, he said the championship trophy had assumed the character of a birthday celebration, linking the team’s success to a promise that had given the competition an added personal dimension for him.
“So I see this trophy more like a birthday cake to me. And I know the team promised to bring me this trophy as a birthday present. And I want to say a very big thank you to the team for presenting this to me,” Dr. Ofori Sarpong said.
Beyond the celebrations, the PRESEC alumnus attributed the victory to a combination of determination, sustained hard work and divine intervention, stressing that the road to the championship had been demanding and required the team to overcome considerable pressure.
“God is great. God has been good. It hasn’t been easy. We fought the battle and we won. Glory be to God,” he said, capturing the mixture of relief, gratitude and jubilation that followed PRESEC’s return to the pinnacle of the country’s most prestigious secondary school academic competition.
For Dr. Ofori Sarpong, the triumph has made an already significant year even more memorable, describing the latest championship as a source of immense excitement and a reflection of the resilience and academic culture that have become associated with PRESEC-Legon.
He noted that the ninth title had further widened PRESEC’s lead in the history of the NSMQ, reinforcing the school’s reputation as the competition’s dominant force and setting another benchmark for generations of students who aspire to carry the institution’s colours.
“I am happy. I feel highly excited that we’ve won this trophy,” he said, expressing confidence that PRESEC would continue to compete at the highest level and add more titles to its remarkable collection in the years ahead.
Dr. Ofori Sarpong also singled out the Headmaster of PRESEC-Legon, Mr. David Odjija, popularly known as “Ojija Magic”, for special praise, recognising his leadership and contribution to the school’s sustained success in the NSMQ.
He observed that Mr. Odjija had now been associated with four NSMQ victories during his tenure at PRESEC, describing his influence as a distinctive gift that has continued to shine within the institution.
“Mr. Ojija, I think you have that light. A light that glows. A light that will forever shine,” Dr. Ofori Sarpong said, while wishing the Headmaster continued success in his stewardship of the school.
He extended his congratulations to Mr. Dzidafo Afram, Coordinator of the PRESEC NSMQ team, as well as the contestants, teachers, patrons, administrators, alumni and other stakeholders whose combined efforts helped deliver the historic ninth crown.
Dr. Ofori Sarpong also expressed appreciation to the PRESEC Global Council, General Council and members of the alumni leadership for their collective support, emphasising the importance of institutional cooperation in sustaining the school’s academic achievements.
The latest triumph carries particular significance for Dr. Ofori Sarpong as he approaches the end of his six-year tenure as Global President of the PRESEC Old Boys Association, providing a notable milestone as he reflects on his years of service to the alumni body and the school.
He noted that PRESEC had captured three NSMQ trophies during his tenure as Global President, describing the achievement as a source of considerable pride and a fitting testament to the commitment of the wider PRESEC community.
Road to the ninth crown:
Mr. Dzidafo Afram, Coordinator of the PRESEC NSMQ team, attributed the championship to rigorous preparation, resilience, discipline and the grace of God, explaining that the foundation for the victory had been laid long before the team reached the national stage.
According to Mr. Afram, the contestants were identified and developed from an early stage through a structured process of testing and selection before undergoing intensive preparation alongside senior members of the NSMQ team.
He said the students demonstrated seriousness and commitment throughout the process, with each contestant contributing his best despite the physical and psychological demands associated with preparing for a competition of such magnitude.
Mr. Afram disclosed that the team encountered challenges during its preparations and at the competition camp in Cape Coast, including sickness among some members, but the difficulties failed to weaken their resolve or become an excuse for underperformance.
“We didn’t give up at all. We didn’t take that as an excuse. We went ahead to Cape Coast,” he said, adding that PRESEC also faced strong opposition, particularly from Mfantsipim, the 2024 and 2025 champions. He described PRESEC’s eventual victory as a “sweet victory”, especially against the backdrop of the school’s disappointment in the 2024 edition.
Mr. Afram credited the contestants, teachers, protest team and research team for their respective contributions, explaining that the school had critically reviewed its performances over the previous two years, identified areas requiring improvement and developed what he described as a winning formula. “We have found what is missing. And we are very sure that even going forward, the years ahead are very bright years for us,” he said, while expressing appreciation to Dr. Ofori Sarpong for his continued support and benevolence towards the team and praying for his good health and long life.
Headmaster acknowledges stakeholders:
Mr. David Odjija thanked the numerous individuals and institutions whose prayers, resources and encouragement contributed to PRESEC’s ninth NSMQ triumph, stressing that the school’s foundation is rooted in God and that faith remains central to its pursuit of excellence.
Mr. Odjija acknowledged congratulatory messages from the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, the Minister for Education, the immediate past Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, the Very Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, and the current Moderator, who was outside the country. He singled out Dr. Ofori Sarpong, Executive Chairman of Special Group of Companies, for special appreciation for his continued support to PRESEC, while expressing confidence that the years ahead would be even better.