NSMQ 2018: I learnt how to compose myself and approach people – Persco's Kissi Annoh

A contestant for the newly crowned National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) champions St Peter’s Senior High School (SHS), Kissi Annoh Kwaku has expressed his joy in helping his school St Peter’s win the 2018 NSMQ.

According to Kwaku, the quiz competition taught him about composure and how to approach people and “I think it’s a very great learning opportunity for anybody.”

He said he wanted to be part of NSMQ to actually engage himself in the competition and also progress in life.

He noted that “the Science and Maths Quiz has a lot in it for students who really want to improve their abilities.”

“St Peter’s hasn’t won the national trophy in a very, very long time. And this year, we are anticipating that we will win the trophy,” he told the BBC Africa in an interview.

Being in the competition with his colleague Fenny Benjamin at the final stage, Kwaku said the feel self-actualized after coming against all odds to lead their school to a third victory in the 25-year-old competition.

Winning over Ketasco, Kwaku’s school St Peter’s SHS reached the final stage of the competition together with West Africa SHS and Adisadel College.

Going into the finals, Kwaku and his team saw it as an opportunity to redeem the school's image and they were not willing to leave any stone unturned.

Recounting how they were selected to represent the school at the finals, Kwaku said “We were taken through several tests and a number of students were selected from the different science classes. After that, we went through a series of tests again and 10 students were chosen and the two of us were selected.”

“At the end of every round we were still hopeful and we knew we could come out winners,” he said.

Becoming victorious for the first time since 2005, Kissi Annoh Kwaku said “I’ve been able to accomplish something that hasn’t been done in a very long time for my school. Not only me but the whole team.”

“Right now, I feel relieved of all the stress and everything we’ve gone through. I feel very excited about it. I feel that we’ve been able to put our school out there, we’ve been able to regain what St Peter’s had” he reiterated.



The Nkwatia-based school pipped West Africa SHS to the title by a single point after trailing through the first four rounds.

At the end of the contest, St. Peter’s SHS had 45 points, West Africa SHS had 44 points whilst Adisadel College trailed with 39 points.

West Africa SHS led the pack going into the final round but St. Peter’s SHS answered two riddles in the final round for six points to overcome their two-point deficit to the Adenta-based school.