Executives of ACCA Leadership Academy and students in a group photograph at the event
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), in partnership with the KSB School of Business and College of Humanities at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have launched the ACCA–KSB Leadership Academy.
The structured leadership development programme is designed to equip Ghanaian university students with the professional competencies, ethical grounding and global outlook required to drive the country’s economic transformation.
The Academy’s pioneer cohort comprises 52 second-year students selected from 15 departments across the university, with deliberate emphasis on academic excellence and gender balance.
The programme is built on four core pillars, Ethics, Sustainability, Digital Transformation and Corporate Governance, reflecting both ACCA’s global professional standards and Ghana’s national development priorities.
Speaking at the launch, ACCA West and Central Africa Cluster Head, Norman Williams, described the initiative as a direct response to the country’s evolving economic realities and the urgent need for a new calibre of leadership.
“Today marks more than the introduction of a new academic initiative. It signals a deliberate response to Ghana’s economic realities and the critical role KNUST must continue to play in shaping national development,” Mr. Williams said.
He noted that Ghana faces a complex set of structural challenges, including fiscal pressures, youth unemployment and the imperative of industrial expansion, even as significant opportunities emerge through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a growing digital economy and an expanding financial services sector.
The Academy offers participants direct access to industry experts, seasoned practitioners and ACCA Fellows, ensuring sustained exposure to real-world professional challenges alongside the formal curriculum.
An integrated internship pathway provides each participant with a structured route into ACCA-affiliated professional placements, directly enhancing employability and career readiness upon graduation.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor David Asamoah, described the launch as a significant milestone in the university’s mandate to produce graduates who are not only academically excellent but also socially responsible and professionally prepared.
“The establishment of this Leadership Academy reflects what can be achieved when we are intentional about shaping the future. It underscores our commitment to developing well-rounded graduates who can contribute meaningfully to society,” Prof. Asamoah said.
Provost of the KSB School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Charles Ofosu Marfo, noted that the Academy represented the realisation of a vision first articulated six years ago to close the gap between academic achievement and meaningful societal impact.
“Leadership is not merely about titles or positions. We are focused on cultivating purposeful, resilient and transformative leadership. The future belongs to those who can think critically and lead effectively,” Prof. Marfo said.
A Business Desk Report