Media General’s Akoma 87.9 FM has launched the 2nd edition of the Basic Schools Quiz on September 11.
Twenty-four schools will compete for the trophy and the bragging rights as the best basic school in the Ashanti Region.
The event launch and balloting, attended by educators, students, contestants and some community leaders, underscores Akoma 87.9 FM’s dedication to promoting education in the region.
Including the defending champions, Loui Jubilee, the finalists will battle it out in groups of four.
The competition will take place over the next 12 weeks, with participating schools pitched against each other in a series of challenging rounds. In recognition of their efforts, top-performing schools and individual students will receive trophies, certificates, and educational materials.
Last year, 16 schools participated in the maiden edition.
This year, the schools have been increased to 24 due to the interest by many schools.
The programme continues to stand as one of Akoma FM’s proudest initiatives, one that celebrates knowledge, sharpens young minds, and gives our students a platform to showcase their brilliance.
The winner will take home trophy , GHC10,000, books from Best Brains Publications Limited, headline sponsors, medals for contestants and Lead Facilitator, certificates and citations. Each contestants will take home a laptop.
The first runner -up will also take home a trophy, GHC6,000 , books from Best Brains Publications, medals, certificates and citations for contestants and Lead facilitator. Each contestants will also receive a laptop.
The second runner-up will take home GHC3,000, a trophy, books from Best Brains Publications Limited, medals, certificates and citations for the contestants and Lead Facilitator.
The Deputy Head of Station Akoma 87.9fm, Williams Evans-Nkum, on behalf of Management of the station, was delighted to welcome all to another exciting edition of the Sharp Pen Quiz.
“This programme continues to stand as one of our proudest initiatives, one that celebrates knowledge, sharpens young minds, and gives our students a platform to showcase their brilliance”, he said.
He pointed out that, education remains the surest path to progress, both for the individual and for society as a whole.
Through the Sharp Pen Quiz, we are not only testing what our students know, but also inspiring a culture of reading, curiosity, and healthy competition among our schools. I want to commend all the schools and contestants who have prepared tirelessly to be here today. Your dedication is a source of pride for your teachers, your parents, and indeed for all of us at Akoma 87.9 FM.
This season is special and I am excited to announce to you that, winners of the competition will take home exciting prices.
He encouraged the contestants to stay calm, think Sharp, and let their pens and minds do the thinking.
The Head of Programmes at Akoma 87.9 FM, Beatrice Spio-Garbrah, said Akoma 87.9 FM believed in using its platform not only to inform and entertain, but also to educate, inspire and contribute to the development of young people in our communities.
“The Sharp Pen Quiz is one of the ways we are fulfilling this commitment “, she said.
“Last year, 16 schools participated in the maiden edition. This year, we are excited to welcome 24 schools. This growth demonstrates the increasing interest in the competition and the importance of creating platforms that encourage academic excellence, critical thinking and confidence among our young people.
To all participating schools and students, we say welcome and we wish you the very best. Prepare well, remain confident and enjoy the experience. Remember, it is not only about winning but also about learning and growing.
To our sponsors and partners, Management of Akoma 87.9 FM sincerely appreciates your support. Your contribution is helping us invest in the future of our young people,” she said.
The Ashanti Regional Director, National Schools Inspectorate Authority ( NASIA), John Kennedy Agbossi, said nations are not built only with roads, bridges and physical infrastructure and the greatest infrastructure of any nation is the quality of minds of its people.
“If we want a Ghana that can compete confidently in an increasingly knowledge-driven world, then we must deliberately develop young people who can read, think, reason, communicate and solve problems.
English Language is not merely another subject on the school timetable. It is a powerful instrument of learning, communication and opportunity. A student who can communicate effectively is better positioned to understand ideas, defend arguments, collaborate with others and participate meaningfully in society,”he noted.
“The Sharp Pen English Quiz therefore provides a platform where knowledge meets confidence,where preparation meets opportunity, and where young minds are challenged to discover what they are capable of achieving.
He advised the participants not to allow the presence of the audience, the reputation of another school or the pressure of competition to convince you that you are not good enough. Remember every champion was once a learner who decided to take preparation seriously,” Mr Agbosi added.
By Benjamin Aidoo
