What began as a competition involving hundreds of young Ghanaians ended with three students from the Greater Accra Region lifting the 2026 Literacy Challenge trophy after a demanding journey through several stages of competition.

For the contestants, the challenge was about more than knowing the right answers. It tested knowledge, speed, critical thinking, teamwork, and composure, with each stage narrowing the field and raising the stakes.

When the final scores were tallied, Greater Accra emerged champions with 88 points, edging Northern Region, which finished with 85 points. Bono Region placed third with 68 points, while Volta Region finished fourth with 64 points.

But the final standings only told part of the story.

The journey begins

The 2026 Literacy Challenge brought together contestants from across Ghana and introduced a regional representation format for the live stages of the competition.

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The competition had earlier been narrowed to the Top 100 contestants, who sat for an aptitude test covering areas including verbal and quantitative aptitude, science, mathematics, creative thinking, current affairs and technology.

Before that stage, contestants had also been challenged to write a letter to the Minister for Education outlining the advantages and disadvantages of using Artificial Intelligence in education and proposing ways Ghana could integrate AI into basic schools without leaving rural and underserved communities behind.

From the various stages came the regional teams that eventually competed in the live grand finale.

And once the teams arrived for the final stages, the pressure intensified.

Every question mattered. Every point could determine whether a region advanced or went home.

Day One: Five regions survive

Ten regional teams entered the opening day of the grand finale, knowing that only five would survive. The contests produced several close encounters.

Bono Region defeated Western Region 51-45 after six rounds of questioning, while Volta Region ended Upper West Region’s campaign.

Greater Accra secured its place in the next stage after defeating Upper East Region 58-45.

Eastern Region also advanced after beating Central Region 54-36, while Northern Region edged Ashanti Region 62-58 in one of the day’s closest contests.

By the end of Day One, five teams had been eliminated.

Upper West, Upper East, Central, Ashanti and Western were out. Volta, Greater Accra, Eastern, Northern and Bono remained in contention.

The field had been reduced by half, but the battle for the final four was still ahead.

Elimination brings mixed emotions

For the teams that exited the competition, elimination brought disappointment, but many contestants also reflected positively on the experience.

They spoke about the knowledge gained, friendships formed and confidence developed during their time in the competition.

Upper East’s Aloobo Akaare said he was proud of his team’s performance and encouraged other pupils, particularly those in government schools, to participate in the competition.

His teammate, Atara Nawal, also described the journey from the larger pool of contestants to the final stages as an achievement.

For Upper West’s Devine Yanbefaare Ambalakuu, the experience became motivation to return better prepared.

For the eliminated contestants, the journey had ended, but the lessons from the competition remained.

Day Two: One point decides Eastern’s fate

The five surviving teams returned for the Mega Challenge with only four places available in the final.

The contest could hardly have been tighter.

Greater Accra and Northern Region scored 38 points each, while Volta and Bono recorded 36 points apiece. Eastern Region finished with 35 points.

Just one point separated Eastern from Volta and Bono.

That single point proved decisive.

Eastern Region, which had defeated Central Region on Day One, was eliminated from the competition after finishing fifth in the Mega Challenge.

The final four were now confirmed:

Greater Accra. Northern. Bono. Volta.

The championship would be decided in one final contest.

The final showdown

The four finalists returned for the decisive round with everything on the line.

Greater Accra had already demonstrated its strength by defeating Upper East on Day One and sharing the lead with Northern in the Mega Challenge.

Northern had survived a narrow contest against Ashanti, while Bono and Volta had also negotiated their way through increasingly difficult stages.

The final produced another competitive battle, but Greater Accra eventually established the lead and finished on 88 points.

Northern Region followed closely with 85 points, just three points behind.

Bono Region finished on 68 points, while Volta Region ended the contest with 64 points.

The final scores settled the championship.

Greater Accra were the 2026 Literacy Challenge champions.

A team triumph

Represented by Neriah Gyamfi, Jenelle-Abrielle Ofori and Sarah Augusta Akosua Otoo, the Greater Accra team completed a campaign that had demanded consistency from the opening stages to the final question.

Their victory secured the region the championship trophy, GH¢10,000 in prize money, as well as gifts and souvenirs from the sponsors.

The team’s success also came with an individual honour.

Sarah takes individual prize

Sarah Augusta Akosua Otoo was named the Most Outstanding Student of the 2026 Literacy Challenge.

Her performance earned her an additional GH¢5,000 cash prize, giving her a personal accolade to complement Greater Accra’s team victory.

Northern Region, as first runner-up, received GH¢6,000, while Bono Region, the second runner-up, received GH¢3,000. Volta Region finished fourth.

The 2026 Literacy Challenge ultimately offered contestants more than an opportunity to compete for prizes.

It gave young students from different parts of Ghana a platform to demonstrate their knowledge, critical-thinking abilities and confidence while working as teams and performing under pressure.

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For some contestants, the journey ended on the opening day. Others made it to the Mega Challenge before their campaigns came to an end.

Four teams reached the final. But only one could lift the trophy.

After navigating the questions, close margins and pressure of the competition, Greater Accra stood at the top with 88 points.

From the hundreds who began the journey to the three students who ended it as champions, the 2026 Literacy Challenge produced its winners.

Greater Accra had conquered the challenge.

The Literacy Challenge 2026 was powered by Citi FM with support from Channel One TV and sponsored by Prospectus Ghana Ltd., Tema Oil Refinery, SIC Insurance PLC, Advocate Publishing, Deli Group and LA Palm Royal Beach Hotel.