UGBS Hosts Prof. Fikru H. Boghossian as Part of its AACSB Accreditation Journey
The University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) hosted Prof. Fikru H. Boghossian, Mentor for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accreditation, from 9th to 13th June 2025, as part of its ongoing efforts to attain global recognition for excellence in business education. Prof. Boghossian’s week-long visit focused on reviewing and evaluating UGBS’s progress in alignment with the AACSB’s accreditation standards. He engaged with various stakeholders, including the University of Ghana (UG) and UGBS management, faculty, students, and committees involved in the accreditation process.
The visit began with a meeting on 9th June at the UGBS Graduate Campus, where the School’s Management Committee and the Coordinator for the International Relations Unit, Prof. Elikplimi K. Agbloyor, welcomed Prof. Boghossian. Dean of UGBS, Prof. Justice N. Bawole, provided an overview of the school’s accreditation journey, emphasising the significance of the AACSB Accreditation. He also detailed the structure of the school, its faculty, departments, and programmes, and highlighted how the school leverages technology to broaden access to education beyond Accra.
Moderated by Prof. Agbloyor, the session included discussions on UGBS’s academic programmes, quality assurance efforts, curriculum mapping, and faculty qualifications. Prof. Boghossian commended the school’s progress, introduced his role as mentor, and shared insights from his extensive experience supporting institutions in achieving AACSB accreditation. He outlined common challenges, including assurance of learning and faculty qualifications, and advised the team to strengthen existing structures while aligning with new accreditation requirements. Prof. Boghossian was later taken on a guided tour of the UGBS facilities, including the library, ICT lab, baby’s lounge, programme offices, incubation hub, and faculty spaces.
On the second day, he met with student representatives across various levels to sensitise them on the importance of the accreditation process and their role in achieving it. He also held a session with faculty to discuss the nine AACSB standards, particularly those relating to faculty qualifications, academic contributions, and the assurance of learning. In the afternoon, the accreditation team led him to the New Council Chamber, where he was officially introduced to the Vice Chancellor of UG, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo.
Prof. Bawole described the AACSB accreditation as the most rigorous among global accreditations, adding that successfully achieving it would position UGBS for further international recognitions. Prof. Boghossian shared his excitement about working with UGBS, citing the school’s mission as aligned with his values. He reiterated the importance of thought leadership, societal impact, faculty contributions, and proper documentation in the accreditation process. The Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation for the school’s efforts and welcomed Prof. Boghossian’s support, noting the strategic importance of accreditation in enhancing the quality and visibility of UG’s educational offerings.
On the third day, a series of committee presentations were held. The Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Prof. Obi Bekoe, discussed the school’s mission and strategic goals. Prof. Boghossian advised them to include details on the strategy formulation process and the rationale behind key decisions. Prof. Agbloyor emphasised aligning the university’s mission to accommodate multiple accreditations without frequent revisions.
The Financial and Risk Management Committee, led by Prof. Mohammed Amidu, presented on physical and virtual resources, including progress on the new graduate building and digital infrastructure. The Teaching, Learning and IT Committee, represented by Prof. Agbloyor, discussed faculty classifications and qualifications. Prof. Boghossian reiterated the need for alignment with the school’s mission and flexibility in classification criteria.
Prof. Patrick Asuming, Chair of the Research and Consultancy Committee, shared the faculty’s research progress. Prof. Boghossian advised the team to document faculty outputs and their impact, suggesting a system in which faculty can update their profiles online. Prof. Mahmoud proposed establishing a team to monitor faculty progress. The Social Impact Committee, chaired by Prof. Albert Ahenkan, presented the school’s efforts to align with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prof. Boghossian recommended concentrating on selected SDGs for improved measurement and impact evaluation.
On the fourth day, Prof. Boghossian was introduced to the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UG, Prof. Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, by Prof. Agbloyor and Prof. Ernest Tweneboah-Koduah. Prof. Tweneboah-Koduah explained the significance of keeping UG leadership informed about the accreditation process. Prof. Boghossian noted that the AACSB process is voluntary but rigorous, necessitating an external review of mission alignment, curriculum quality, and faculty effectiveness. Prof. Awandare expressed his appreciation for the support and stated that such accreditations enhance the university’s global visibility and encourage other institutions to pursue formal recognition.
The final day of the visit concluded with a debriefing at the Dean’s office. Prof. Boghossian encouraged the Dean to rally the entire UG community around the accreditation goal. He emphasised the need for clear communication and active participation from all stakeholders. As next steps, UGBS is expected to complete its draft report and establish an assessment team, which Prof. Boghossian will review before submission to the AACSB Board.