Since the launch of the 20th Anniversary of the KNUST School of Business, the Business educational center in KNUST has preached a sermon on integrating AI and technology with the academic structure of the KSB.

Taking a paper at the KNUST Main Library on Thursday, 17th April, 2025, at 8am, the final-year students of Dr. Joseph Agana’s class answered questions in a very practical manner, using Sage 50 Premium accounting software to solve problems. This practical experience gave these students a very comprehensive approach to the guidelines for solving real-world accounting issues of businesses.

This experience in and of itself, verifies and solidifies the KSB’s zeal to improve and evolve into a multi-disciplined Business education provider, producing top-tier professionals for the business sector of Ghana and the world at large.

"Sage is among the most widely utilized accounting software in the professional sphere, and as such, conducting a practical examination using Sage is of significant relevance to accounting students.” Dr. Agana began, when speaking on the importance of using Sage in KSB Examinations.

“It enables them to effectively translate theoretical knowledge into practical application within real-world contexts, thereby enhancing their preparedness for the demands of the accounting profession. 

This experiential learning approach not only cultivates student confidence but also aligns with prevailing industry standards and professional qualification requirements, positioning graduates as highly competitive candidates in an increasingly technology-driven accounting environment.” he further explained.

This bold and emphatic step is not only a prophecy of a future where real-life accounting software will be used in Business Education at the KSB, but the very students, because of this practical educational approach, will be able to use and solve real-world accounting issues even before they graduate.

“I believe students can begin solving real business accounting problems using Sage and QuickBooks even before they graduate. With hands-on training in software like Sage and QuickBooks, students gain practical experience in managing real financial tasks, like recording transactions, generating reports, and analyzing data.” Dr. Agana optimistically stated, when probed about the possibility of a future where students use Sage and QuickBooks to solve real-life accounting issues in the Business sector, even before graduation.

“This not only builds their confidence but also prepares them to support businesses, especially small enterprises, with meaningful insights. By combining classroom learning with real-world tools, we’re helping to shape a new generation of job-ready, tech-savvy accountants.” he confidently added.

The future of Business in Ghana is technology-inclined and it is wonderful to see that KSB has started making changes and modifications to its academic structure to make sure the students who complete the Business School, are market-ready and employable. These steps, indeed make the KNUST School of Business, the place to access premier Business Education in West Africa.

The students themselves, have expressed such views with comments such as “It was interesting and very educative to use in such a practical manner, coming from the SHS education system where it is all about theory” and “The exposure was enough for us to help us get industry-oriented and it made this exam great for me!”

Others also commented on the integration of the Sage app in KSB exams and their recommendations for future examinations held by KSB for the Department of Accounting and Corporate Strategy.

“Using Sage as a very useful tool was very educational and made accounting tasks easy. It is a great initiative that we are grateful for, as we have the experience on our hands and are becoming more and more proficient in its use. I believe utilizing it from Level 200, students will be more proficient in its usage”

Source: Nana Kwaku Anyimadu Ofori