The University of Cape Coast (UCC) emerged national champions of the eighth Tertiary Business Sense Challenge (TBSC) after topping a three-way final that featured fellow former champions, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Ghana (UG), in Accra last Saturday.
UCC, represented by Enoch Inkoom, Ruth Awinebotima Apobisah, Ebenezer Nyarkoh and Prince Quaison, accumulated 39.5 points to finish ahead of UG, which obtained 29 points, and KNUST, which finished with 24.5 points.
The victory gives UCC its third TBSC title, having previously won the inaugural competition in 2019 and then in 2021.
Each member of the victorious UCC team received a refrigerator, alongside the national trophy, cash prizes and a free internship opportunity with PwC, among other prizes.
UCC also swept the individual awards, with Ebenezer Nyarkoh named Best Male Contestant, while Ruth Awinebotima Apobisah was adjudged Best Female Contestant.
Both of them received prizes from the sponsors.
The eighth edition was an assembly of tertiary institutions from across the country in a competition that combined academic knowledge, practical business analysis and problem-solving, with UCC ultimately emerging as the strongest of the 17 participating institutions.
The TBSC, organised by the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), is an annual quiz that tests tertiary students' knowledge of business, finance and economics, while challenging them to apply their knowledge to practical situations.
The competition is supported by the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM), Standard Natural Mineral Water, GLICO, Papaye Fast Foods, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Zenith University College and EPP Books and Services, with Alhassan Yusif Trawule as the quizmaster.
Contest
UCC took an early lead in the opening round, which tested contestants on advanced business concepts using a common preamble and different scenarios.
The Cape Coast-based university scored nine points in the opening round, while KNUST and UG managed six points each.
UCC extended its advantage in the quantitative and applied analysis round, where contestants had 30 seconds to answer business calculation questions.
UCC scored five points, compared to the 2.5 points for UG and 1.5 for KNUST in that round.
The Graphic Business Case of the Day produced the highest scores of the contest, with the three teams required to analyse an article published in the Graphic Business newspaper and to propose practical solutions to the issues raised.
The University of Cape Coast once more obtained 18.5 points in that round, outperforming KNUST’s 17 points and UG’s 14.5 points.
The fourth round, the true-or-false segment, saw UG score three points, UCC one point, and KNUST zero.
UCC then added six points in the final riddles round, while UG scored three points, with KNUST failing to score.
UCC, ultimately, finished on 39.5 points, with UG and KNUST taking second and third places respectively.
Investment
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of GCGL, Ato Afful, said the TBSC had grown beyond a quiz into a platform for identifying and nurturing young Ghanaian business talent.
“Through this contest, we are investing in the future of our young people,” he said.
Mr Afful said the competition had brought students into contact with universities, business professionals and industry leaders, giving them insight into workplace expectations, leadership, teamwork and collaboration.
He also congratulated the 17 institutions that participated in the eighth edition, and said the success of the finalists reflected the commitment and resilience required to excel beyond the competition.
The Deputy Director of the Tertiary Directorate at the Ministry of Education, Harriet Krakani, said the TBSC demonstrated the importance of moving tertiary education beyond memorisation and towards practical application.
“Most importantly, we want young Ghanaians who do not only ask: where can I find a job, but also ask what problem can I solve and what opportunities can I create?” she said.
Ms Krakani added that the government was committed to strengthening the links between tertiary institutions and industry through innovation, skills development, research and entrepreneurship.
