The Cape Coast Technical University’s (CCTU) School of Business and Management Studies (SOBAMS) on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Building Auditorium recognised one hundred and forty-nine (149) outstanding students at the School’s maiden Dean's Merit Award for Academic Excellence ceremony, for their exceptional academic achievements during the 2024/2025 academic year.

The event, themed “Scholars today: business leaders tomorrow”, the first of its kind, sought to celebrate students from levels 100 to 400, who achieved a CGPA of 3.7 and above, in the Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech), Higher National Diploma (HND) and Diploma programmes. The awards were presented to students from the following departments: Accounting and Finance, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Marketing Studies, Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness, and Management and Adminisrtation.

Out of a total of one hundred and forty-nine (149) awardees, twenty-five (25) students received special awards, while one hundred and twenty-four (124) received departmental awards.

Dean of SOBAMS, Prof. Eugene Owusu-Acheampong, in his welcome address emphasised that the occasion was a celebration of academic excellence, discipline, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of knowledge. “It is a testament to the fact that within the walls of this School, we are not only nurturing scholars but shaping the next generation of innovative thinkers, ethical entrepreneurs, and transformational business leaders”. – he mentioned

He applauded Managements, faculty, staff, students and award recipients for their contributions towards the success of the programme. 

The special guest of honour, Nana Pokoo Aikins (CEO of P. K. Star Investment Ltd), in his address advised students to stay committed to their academic pursuit and be critical thinkers who, through innovations, would drive the necessary change expected by communities and the nation.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye, who was the Chairperson for the event, paid tribute to SOBAMS, for championing the Dean’s Merit Award of Excellence in the University, urging other Schools to emulate it. “The School of Business and Management Studies is the most visible School in the University. This has been achieved through the hard work of faculty subscribing to the maxim of intentional institutionalised excellence”,  he said.

He intimated that the Dean's Merit Award of Excellence was one of the avenues to boost students learning experience on campus apart from the renovation of lecture halls and hostel, retooling laboratories and offices, improving security services, and organising “Career Fair” and “Honours Certificate Programme”.

Prof. Boakye further commended the awardees for their outstanding performances and urged them to maintain their dedication to academic excellence. He also encouraged students who did not make the list to work harder in the coming year. He entreated them to embrace technology and innovation to advance their academic and future careers.

Mr. Stephane Abbas Miezan, (National President, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GNCCI)), the guest speaker, while recognising the accomplishments of the University, expressed gratitude to Management for the continued industrial collaborations in training manpower for national and global development.

He admonished students to be open-minded to technical competence and soft skills, highlighting the following four (4) important keys; integrity, focus, moral discipline and the acquisition of skills needed to thrive in the competitive world of work, adding that students should keep working on themselves to stand out in the job market.

The event featured solidarity messages, presentation of certificates to deserving students and citation of honour to some dedicated patrons. The maiden edition of the Deans Merit Award for Academic Excellence organised by SOBAMS saw a huge patronage by Management, faculty, students and other stakeholders including, Mr. Mark Badu-Aboagye (CEO, GNCCI), Nana Darko Blankson (Dabi Hen, Kakumdo), Mr. Ben-Smith (Central Regional President, GNCCI) and Madam Anita Benedicta Mensah (Central Regional Manageress, GNCCI).

The SOBAMS Dean’s Merit Award, exemplifies faculty and Management's commitment to promoting both academic and moral excellence on the University campus.

Source: Directorate of Public Affairs

Date: August 8, 2025