Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, has described the National Science and Math Quiz (NSMQ) as a good project, encouraging the study and promotion of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the country.
According to him, as the national oil company, GNPC recognises the urgent need to maximise local content and local participation for the people through developing expertise in STEM within the value chain for job creation; hence, the corporation’s decision to sponsor.
“Indeed, the NMSQ is a good project, and that is why the GNPC has decided to join in promoting the study of Science and Math, which is the bedrock of our very existence as a society. Today, every thriving society is making huge investments in the study and promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” he said.
Mr. Danquah, giving a remark at the closing ceremony of the NMSQ, noted that the greatest success of science is the spirit of never giving up, even though it goes through several processes before arriving at a conclusion.
“The biggest experience in Science is the process – or known to most of us as the scientific method. The meticulous empirical method has characterised the development of science. Science teaches us that it doesn’t matter how smart or knowledgeable one is, one cannot hasten the process,” he said.
In furtherance to the above, Mr. Danquah advised the contestants to stay focused, ask the right questions and that would make them go far as budding scientists.
“In the real world, life will test you; and most of the time there are no prior lessons, nor are there answers to life’s tests or life’s quizzes. The true scientist is not the person who gives the right answers, but the one who asks the right questions. One of the greatest scientists, Albert Einstein, said: “In life, the important thing is to never stop questioning,” Mr. Danquah said.
He then congratulated the winners, including all participating schools and their contestants in relation to the rigours of preparation, the discipline and dedication required to climb the stage and be part of this year’s NSMQ.
Meanwhile, Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon won this year’s NMSQ with 50 points. It is the seventh win, which makes PRESEC the school to have won the trophy the most times. Prempeh College came out second with 41 points, and Adisadel College was third with 32 points.
