Department of Accounting Holds Inaugural Undergraduate Research Conference
The Department of Accounting at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), in partnership with the College of Humanities Research Committee and the UGBS Grantsmanship & Skills Development Unit, has hosted the maiden Undergraduate Research Conference to give final-year students the opportunity to present and defend their research works before academics and industry professionals. The conference was held on 31st July 2026 at the UGBS Graduate Building and was sponsored by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG). It brought together lecturers, industry professionals, students, parents and family members who came to support the participating students. A total of 51 students participated in the poster presentation, showcasing their final-year research projects across various areas of accounting. The students presented their works at individual stands, where judges reviewed their posters, assessed and asked questions, sought explanations and, where necessary, offered suggestions to improve the quality of their projects.
The judges included Dr. Enusah Abdulai, Lecturer, University of Education, Winneba; Dr. Theodora Akua Aryee, Lecturer, Ashesi University, Accra; Dr. Alice Anima Aboagye, Lecturer, UPSA; Dr. Anthony Essel-Anderson, Lecturer, Ashesi University, Accra; Dr. Gabriel Korankye, Lecturer, UPSA; Dr. William Ofori Darko, Partner, Forvis Mazars; Ms. Loretta Anokye, ICAG; Dr. Kofi Oduro-Boateng, KPMG; Dr. Lawrence Kwaku Amoako, Forestry Commission; Dr. Charles Amoako Atuahene, Director of Finance, Crocodile Matchets (Ghana) Ltd; Prof. Redeemer Dornudo Yao Krah, Associate Professor, UPSA; and Dr. Prince Yeboah Boateng, Lecturer, UPSA. Welcoming participants, the Head of the Department of Accounting, Prof. Godfred Matthew Owusu, said the conference was designed by the Department to give students a platform to showcase their research works. He explained that the students were presenting their final-year projects, which covered various sectors of accounting and formed part of the requirements for completing their undergraduate degree programmes. Prof. Owusu also acknowledged the contribution of the Chairman of the College Research Committee, Prof. Richard Boateng, to the organisation of the conference. He noted that Prof. Boateng had been instrumental in making the conference possible and had also provided support with IT-related matters.
Prof. Boateng assessing students’ poster presentation
Prof. Boateng, in his remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to promoting activities that support student development within the College of Humanities. He revealed that the College would undertake a similar initiative for graduate students, while the Department of Accounting would work to make the undergraduate conference more engaging in the following year. He encouraged students to provide feedback to help improve the initiative, noting that such conferences offer an important opportunity to obtain insights from industry while giving students the platform to showcase their research works. The poster presentation subsequently provided students with the opportunity to defend their research before the judges. Beyond assessing the projects for awards, the judges’ engagement with the students, helped identify gaps and provided input towards improving their final-year research.
Prof. Owusu disclosed that the Department would prepare and support two students to participate in the National Council for Undergraduate Research Conference and the British Conference of Undergraduate Research. He encouraged students to build confidence in their abilities, noting that the experience of defending their research had been refreshing. He said the feedback from the judges had helped students identify gaps in their work, improve their research and develop their presentation skills. Some students who did not participate in the poster presentation also shared their reflections on the conference. They said the presentations had helped them generate ideas for their own research works and identify interesting research topics that required attention and appreciate innovative approaches to research. Lecturers who attended the conference also commended the students for the quality of their work. They observed that the students demonstrated a good understanding of their research and described the initiative as an impressive opportunity for undergraduate students. According to some lecturers, the students exposed them to standard methods of data collection and research practices that they ordinarily encountered at the MPhil or PhD level.
Ms. Stacy Akosua Gyamera, overall best researcher
Students who excelled in the various categories were recognised with awards, while others received worthy mentions. All participating students received certificates of participation. Ms. Stacy Akosua Gyamera emerged as the Best Overall Research winner and was also adjudged Best in Sustainability, ESG and Integrated Reporting. Other awardees were:
Best Poster Design and Communication: Mr. Johnson Kofi Tackie
Best in Financial and Corporate Reporting: Ms. Lucia Anokye
People’s Choice Award: Ms. Victoria Elikem Tandoh
Judges’ Choice Award: Ms. Ruth Namuck
Best Audit and Assurance: Ms. Frances Kumahor
Best in Digital technology and AI in Accounting track: Mr. Agbotsi Nyah Selasi
Best in Taxation and Public Finance track: Mr. Eric Nii Nuer Nortey
Best Scientific Rigour and Methodology: Mr. Kelvin Edem Mensah
Best Behavioural Accounting and Finance track: Ms Keziah Queen Bortey
In his closing remarks, Prof. Owusu expressed his excitement about the outcome of the conference and hoped that the initiative would make a meaningful impact on the students. He encouraged the students to be confident in defending their research works anywhere. He also urged the final-year students to mentor Level 300 students and encourage them to undertake quality research when they progress to Level 400 and begin preparing their long essays. Prof. Owusu congratulated all the participating students and expressed gratitude to the parents, family members and well-wishers who attended the conference to support their students and wards.
UGBS Faculty with ICAG reps at the Undergraduate Research Conference