Former NSMQ star passes on after cancer battle

Dr Ato Kwamena Sagoe, a former Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) student who represented the school at the 2005 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), has died in the United Kingdom following a reported battle with cancer.

His death was announced in a Facebook tribute on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, with tributes pouring in for the former quiz contestant, who went on to build a career in medicine in Ghana and the UK.

In the tribute, Dr Sagoe was remembered for his calm demeanour, determination and quiet strength, qualities he said had remained with him from their school days into adulthood.

He was also described as someone who carried himself with “a quiet strength, composure, and focus”, reflecting on the qualities that had made him memorable among those who knew him.

Beyond his participation in the NSMQ, Dr Sagoe pursued a career in medicine, earning qualifications including a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Public Health (MPH) and Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP).

He worked as a doctor in both Ghana and the United Kingdom, and built a professional career that extended beyond the academic competition in which he represented GSTS.

Dr Sagoe is survived by his wife and two-year-old daughter. His burial is reportedly scheduled for December 4, 2026.