The UMaT Basic School in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region has retained its title as champions of the 5th edition of the annual Western Region Independence Day Inter-District JHS Quiz Competition held on Wednesday, 4th March, 2020 in Tarkwa.
The defending champions beat their close contenders, Christ Leading International School, from Ellembele district
UMat Tarkwa had 82 points as against 77 points Christ Leading International School had. Peace International School from Jomoro Municipality also placed 3rd with 76 points.
The winners took away a trophy, a brand new HP laptop, a canon three-in-one multipurpose printer, medals, textbooks (Maths, Science, English and ICT), plaques and certificates, while the first runner up, Christ Leading International School received a brand new HP laptop, medals, textbooks, plaques and certificates.
Peace International School, from Half Assini in the Jomoro Municipality which placed 3rd, also took away a brand new HP laptop, medals, textbooks, plaques and certificates.
The S.I.P.L School from the Wassa East district placed 4th with 69 points, while St. Anthony Catholic School from the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality (EKMA) placed 5th with 60 points.
St. Augustinus Preparatory from Nzema East Municipality placed 6th with 58 points.
They all received textbooks, plaques and certificates.
The schools with the 7th to 11th positions received plaques, certificates, textbooks, student companions and mathematical sets.
In all, 11 schools representing their respective MMDAs, namely Ahanta West, two-time champions, Nzema East, maiden champions, Ellembelle, Jomoro, Takoradi Metro, Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal, Shama District, Wassa East District, Mpohor District, Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni Valley participated in the competition.
The criteria for participation were based on the performance of the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The contestants were quizzed on issues about the history of Ghana (pre and post-colonial, pre and post-independence), chieftaincy and tradition, ICT, arts and culture, science and environment, sports, and general knowledge.
The Regional Manager for Community Relations at Goldfields Ghana Ltd, headline sponsor of the 2020 quiz competition, Robert Siaw, lauded the organisers for initiating the competition adding that “this is an educative programme as it seeks to test the students on Ghana’s rich history and current affairs”.
He added that education holds the key to development and that was the primary reason Goldfields agreed to sponsor the program.
The Chairman for the occasion, HRH Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, Paramount Chief of Wassa Amenfi traditional area, commended the students for exhibiting their academic intelligence and urged them to remain focused in their educational endeavours to enable them to become responsible citizens in future.
He tasked teachers to adhere to the standards of educational ethics and refrain from all forms of activities that will jeopardize their profession.
The Executive Chairman for the Planning and Organising Committee, HRH Obrempon Hima Dekyi XIV and Paramount Chief of Upper Dixcove traditional area thanked sponsors namely, headline sponsor Goldfields Ghana Ltd, gold sponsors TAQA and Anglogold Ghana Ltd, and supporting sponsors such as Nezo Oilfields Services Ltd, Seaweld Engineering Ltd, Oceaneering Ghana Ltd, Amandi Construction Ltd, REF Engineering and Construction Ltd, Engineers and Planners Ghana Ltd, Nana Mintah Company Ltd, Sieco Company Ltd, BBS Engineering Ltd, Toyota Ghana Ltd, office of Members of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley, Evalue Ajomoro Gwira, Ellembele and Tarkwa Nsuaem as well as the Ahanta West, Effia Kwesimintsim and Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assemblies for their immense support towards supporting education in the region.
He added that the competition was designed to help develop the abilities of contestants and also inculcate in them how to work as a team, adding that he was satisfied with the performance of the schools and admitted that there was a vast difference in the performance of the schools, compared to last year’s competition.
On his part, Gilbert Asmah, MCE of Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly on behalf of the Western Regional Minister, commended the organizers for putting together such a laudable program to improve the performance of students in the various districts in the region.
He noted that promoting the historical values of Ghana through quiz competitions among the basic schools in the Region is an imperative platform and has a major key for the growth and development of Ghana.
He urged all MMDAs and all district education directors to enforce measures and standards in the various schools to promote the educational level in the region.
Sally Acheampong, the CSR Coordinator of Takoradi International Company (TAQA-TICO) commended the traditional leadership of the Western Region for their key role in championing education which falls in line TICO’s vision.
“TICO is committed to promoting education in the region hence our contribution towards this wonderful programme which we also supported in 2019.”
The Western Regional Director of Education, Addo Dankwa Akuffo, congratulated participants for their active participation and lauded the sponsors for supporting the educational sector in the region.
He craved the indulgence of the teachers to include questions which will make the students think critically to develop their thinking skills.