Ucc School of Business Students Compete in Cima Business Games

The competition comes on the back of a course titled "FIN 405 Corporate Financial Analysis," which aims to expose the students to the latest trends in industry.

The games aim to enhance students' business, leadership, and problem-solving skills, and showcase their talent to prospective employers.

It involved solving real-life business scenarios relating to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topics.

Students had to present business plans and solutions to a panel of Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation holders and professionals in finance and business management.

At the end of the competition, which formed part of the students' continuous assessment, Ecotra was adjudged the winner, with 236 points out of 300.

The Financial Forensic Crew (207 points), the Shared Success Cycle (202), the Prime Financial Analysts Corporation (186), Trinity Advisory Group (183) had the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th positions, respectively.

All teams pitched their concepts on integrating zero-carbon homes and modern methods of construction into their strategy to meet sustainability and net-zero regulations while protecting market share.

The Course Instructor, Prof. Seyram Kawor, of the Department of Finance, thanked AICPA & CIMA for bringing the engaging CIMA Business Games to the University of Cape Coast.

“Our students enjoyed the challenge, and it was good to see them tackle real-life business problems. The competition was a great example of how universities and professional associations can work together to develop and train future generations of accountants and finance professionals needed by business and the economy,” he added.

The keynote speaker, Mr. Prince Afful, the Operations Manager at KPMG, emphasized the growing importance of ESG - a set of standards that checks how operations of companies impact the environment, how employees are treated, and how the companies uphold corporate governance - in global business.

He stated that organizations were now expected to go beyond financial reporting to track and disclose non-financial performance metrics such as environmental impact, corporate diversity, and sustainability efforts.

“We encourage students to pursue ESG-related training and certifications, as these will enhance their skills and make them more competitive in the job market,” he added.

He noted that these sustainable practices could help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, ensuring a safer environment for all.

He maintained that the global trends today for organisations were not just financial reporting but considering non- financial related performance, and these included how businesses were diversified, how businesses managed their emissions, and the need for them to report their progress.

The games reinforced the need for young professionals to embrace ESG principles, ensuring they were well-positioned to lead the next wave of sustainable business innovation.

In a brief remark, the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Daniel Agyapong, commended the winning team and urged the students to take ESG seriously.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC