Department of Accounting Hosts Global Alumni Mentoring Session for Level 400 Students
The Department of Accounting at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) successfully organised an online Alumni Mentoring Session for Level 400 Accounting students on 11th July 2026, bringing together accomplished alumni from across the globe to share their professional experiences and inspire the next generation of accounting professionals. The event attracted an impressive number of final-year Accounting students, demonstrating the Department’s commitment to strengthening alumni engagement and enhancing the career readiness of its students through meaningful interactions with industry practitioners.
The mentoring session featured 14 distinguished alumni residing in Switzerland, the United States of America, China, New Zealand, and Ghana, representing diverse professional backgrounds and industries. Drawing on their personal and professional journeys, the alumni provided valuable insights into the realities of life after university and the evolving accounting profession. The alumni who participated in the session were:
- Mr. Philip Twum (Class of 2015) – An award-winning fintech professional in Ghana and Business Development Leader at Fido.
- Mr. Desmond Bredu (Class of 2015) – Head of Client Coverage at Stanbic Investment Management Services, who leverages social media to promote investing among young people.
- Mr. Ibrahim Baryeh (Class of 2015) – An agribusiness professional within Ghana's food value chain and a recipient of the Best Regional Farmer Award.
- Nana Esi B. Bentum (Class of 2015) – Senior Manager at Deloitte US with expertise in Investment Management.
- Ms. Amanda Dadson (Class of 2015) – Founder of Foodheartedly, a social media food network, and an accounting professional with the Ghana Immigration Service.
- Flt Lt Abel Ofoe-Osabutey (Class of 2015) – Flight Lieutenant in the Ghana Armed Forces and an Obama Foundation Africa Leader.
- Ms. Shalom Akinboboye (Class of 2015) – Product Manager at Meta with extensive experience in building and scaling digital products.
- Mr. Emmanuel Oteng (Class of 2015)– Founder of SpaceKraft Furniture, delivering bespoke furniture solutions for high-end real estate developments.
- Mr. Owen Odonkor Adantey (Class of 2020) – Investment Banker at Bank of America, London.
- Mr. Hazel A. Kissi-Dankwa (Class of 2021) – Finance Consultant at the World Bank Group and former Auditor at Deloitte.
- Nana Adwoa Anokye Effah (Class of 2018) – Postdoctoral Researcher in Accounting at the School of Management, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.
- Ms. Adwoa Ameley (Class of 2013) – Transfer Pricing Senior Manager at KPMG US.
- Ms. Miriam Arthur (Class of 2019) – PhD Candidate at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
- Ms. Theodora Aba Abekah Koomson (Class of 2017) – Researcher at Chicago Booth School of Business.
Prof. Godfred Matthew Yaw Owusu, Head ,Department of Accounting
The discussions focused on several important themes, including transitioning successfully from university to the workplace, first job experiences and the lessons learned, career pathways and opportunities within the accounting profession, and the key skills and attributes employers seek in accounting graduates. Throughout the interactive session, the alumni encouraged students to embrace continuous learning and personal development while remaining adaptable in an increasingly dynamic business environment. They highlighted several qualities that are essential for professional success. These qualities include; building and maintaining strong professional networks, discipline and commitment to excellence, being dynamic, open-minded, and adaptable to change, upholding integrity and ethical conduct, demonstrating dependability and accountability, maintaining a positive attitude, developing strong interpersonal and communication skills, and cultivating critical thinking and an inquisitive mindset.
The session provided students with the opportunity to engage directly with the alumni through discussions and questions on career choices, workplace expectations, professional qualifications, and personal development. Many students described the programme as an eye-opening experience and expressed appreciation for the practical advice shared. Several participants remarked that they wished such mentoring opportunities had been introduced earlier in their academic journey. The alumni also commended the Department for initiating the programme and expressed their enthusiasm for sustaining the engagement. They recommended extending future mentoring sessions to Level 200 and Level 300 students to provide earlier career guidance and professional exposure. The event concluded with closing remarks by the School Administrator, Mr. Emmanuel Poku- Sarkodee, who thanked the alumni for their commitment to giving back to their alma mater and encouraged students to leverage the insights gained throughout the session. The Head of the Department of Accounting, Prof. Godfred Matthew Yaw Owusu also expressed appreciation to the alumni for their continued support and reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to strengthening alumni relations and providing students with opportunities that complement classroom learning and prepare them for successful professional careers.