NEQ 2019: YIKROSEC, ANUM book early tickets for quarter-finals

Somanya-based Yilo Krobo Senior High School has begun a wonderful bid to the final of the Nana Sir Ofori-Atta I National Energy Quiz 2019 with a win over other contenders during the first zonal encounter for the Somanya zone held at the assembly hall of the Krobo Girls Senior High School at Odumase-Krobo.

The school battled two determined schools on Wednesday, Akwamuman Senior High School and Anum Presby Senior High School who were bent on causing an upset, but YIKROSEC would have none of it.

Their climbing tempo in the game put them on top and the game ended with the scores: Yikorsec 39, Akwamusec 33 and Anum Presby 33.

But with two schools programmed to qualify for the next stage of the competition, there was therefore the need for a tie breaker and Anum proved their worth by overcoming their only contender to qualify alongside Yikrosec.

The two will therefore be joined by other schools who will qualify from six other zones including Akuapem, Asamankese, Oda, Kwahu, Kibi and Juaben where the winners of the contests will proceed to the quarter-finals.

After scoring perfect scores in the round one which saw questions centered on petroleum, Yikrosec and Anusec looked set to go all out till the end.

However, it was Yikrosec that maintained another perfect score in the 2nd round which bordered on power to take a comfortable lead with Akwamuman closely behind.

However, it was Akwamuman SHS who showed their prowess in the third and final round which saw the contestants answer the questions with dexterity to end the competition to jointly place 2nd with Anum Presby to set the stage for the tiebreaker.

“That’s incorrect, that’s incorrect” the iconic voice of Quiz Master, Mr. Gideon Ofosu-Peasah kept echoing to the contestants. Make no mistake, it didn’t stop them from receiving the “you’re right” as well.

The auditorium erupted in spontaneous wild jubilations from students of the contesting schools as they cheered their colleagues on to victory with echoing support.

Eastern Regional Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) and co-organizers of the event, Daniel Kofi Mensah expressed satisfaction at the output of the participating schools in the competition.

Mr. Mensah who was convinced that the quiz will open the minds of the students in the study of oil and gas identified the sector as a hot job hub for students who opt for its study since very few job opportunities existed in other sectors.

He said empowering young Ghanaians in the field of oil and gas will enable them to take up these jobs hitherto occupied by expatriates.

The CHASS Secretary recalled the modest beginnings of the competition last year and said he was confident of its successes in the coming years.

On his part, CEO of the Eastern Star Awards Company Limited, also co-organizers of the event, Mr. Humphrey Tetteh congratulated the participating schools and urged them to build on their acquired knowledge as they progress to the next stage of the competition.

He charged the students to strive to pursue further studies in oil and gas to acquire the technical know-how to become professionals to tap the country’s natural resources.

All participating schools were presented with cash amounts and certificates of participation.

The NEQ is sponsored by Goil Company Limited, Ghana Grid Company Limited, The Energy Commission, Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana National Gas Company Limited and the Petroleum Commission.