Techiman Senior High School in the Bono East Region emerged as the champions of the 2020 Ghana Science Olympiad (GSO) at the grand finale held on Thursday, November 26, 2020, at the Science Resource Centre in Cantonments, Accra.
Techiman SHS triumphed over 20 other finalists after three days of intense competition, which included practical and written tests in Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, and Mathematics. The 20 finalist schools had advanced through preliminary contests held in Sunyani and Tamale, competing against 231 schools nationwide.
During the award ceremony, speakers praised the organizers for hosting such a remarkable competition, particularly for less-endowed senior high schools across the country. Prof. Atinuke Adebanje from KNUST’s Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science encouraged participants to aim for higher academic achievements in the sciences, highlighting the opportunities for students to pursue higher education.
In a message delivered by Mrs. Felicia Agyeibea Okai, Director at the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Director-General, Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, emphasized the importance of science education in Ghana’s journey toward industrialization, with a focus on STEM education and vocational/technical skills development.
Techiman SHS received several prizes, including a 55-inch smart board equipped with educational content to aid science teaching. The school was also awarded a giant trophy, plaque, and certificate. Kumasi Senior High Technical and Wesley Grammar School, Dansoman, placed second and third, respectively, receiving trophies, plaques, and certificates.
Special awards were given to individuals who excelled among the 40 participants. Master Mikail Tauhir from Kumasi Senior Technical School was named the overall Best Student and received a Director-General’s Award, which included laboratory equipment, a Samsung tablet, a plaque, books, and a certificate. Master Derrick Nartey of Wesley Grammar SHS and Joseph Frimpong-Kotei from Techiman SHS placed second and third, respectively.
Victoria Mends from Armed Forces SHST, Burma Camp, was recognized as the Best Girl and received a tablet, certificate, and a set of books.
Mrs. Olivia Serwaa Opare, Director of the Science Education Unit at GES, expressed her gratitude to the Minister of Education, the Director-General, the management of GES, and all those who contributed to the success of the third edition of the Ghana Science Olympiad.
