Prempeh College’s hopes of ending their zonal title drought have once again been dashed, following a narrow elimination in the first semi-final of the 2025 Ashanti Regional Zonal Championship of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ).

Before the final round, Prempeh College led the contest with 36 points, followed closely by Kumasi Academy with 34 and Our Lady of Grace with 33. But in a dramatic finish, Our Lady of Grace picked two riddles.

They emerged victorious with 39 points, advancing to the finals and becoming only the second private school in NSMQ history to reach a zonal final after Sonrise Christian High School in the Volta Region did so in 2022.

Kumasi Academy finished just two points behind with 37, while Prempeh College followed with 36 points. Kumasi Anglican SHS trailed with 27 points.

Prempeh, champions in 2021, entered the contest with strong expectations but fell short in a fiercely competitive clash that saw razor-thin margins between the top three schools.

All is not lost, however, for Kumasi Academy. They could still make it to the finals as the best runner-up if the second-placed school in the upcoming semi-final scores fewer than 37 points

Opoku Ware School will be battling Kumasi High School who are current zonal champions, Osei Tutu SHS and Kumasi Senior High Technical School (KSTS)