The Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) has launched the eighth edition of the Tertiary Business Sense Challenge (TBSC) to equip university students with practical business knowledge, critical thinking and leadership skills, while strengthening links between academia and industry.
The zonal competition, which runs from June to August 2026, will bring together 17 public and private tertiary institutions across three zonal competitions before the national finals.
Speaking at the launch in Accra yesterday, the Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd, Ato Afful, said the challenge was designed to encourage students to think beyond the classroom and prepare themselves for opportunities after graduation.
Mr Afful said students needed to develop practical skills alongside their academic work because success required more than passing examinations.
He said the competition encouraged participants to solve problems, think independently, and embrace innovation rather than relying solely on memorised classroom knowledge.
“You had to see every challenge as an opportunity to develop your thinking because the knowledge you gained in school had to be applied to solving real-life problems.
You also had to continue learning beyond the lecture room if you wanted to remain relevant in a competitive world,” he said.
Mr Afful urged students to use technology and other learning resources to broaden their understanding of business and entrepreneurship.
He said the country needed graduates who could create opportunities for themselves and others rather than relying solely on formal employment.
The managing director also encouraged corporate organisations to support initiatives that nurtured young talent and help develop future business leaders.
Support
A Senior Tax Partner at PwC Ghana, Abeiku Gyan-Quansah, said his outfit’s continued support for the competition reflected its commitment to developing future leaders and contributing to solving important problems in society.
He urged students to treat the competition as a learning opportunity rather than merely another extracurricular activity.
“You have to support colleagues who are selected to represent your institutions because teamwork and collaboration are important qualities that will help you succeed in your careers,” he said.
Mr Gyan-Quansah advised students to dedicate at least half of their hours outside lectures to personal study if they wanted to perform well academically.
He said students should focus on understanding what they studied instead of memorising facts, adding that true understanding was demonstrated when one could explain a concept in simple language to someone without formal education.
He also encouraged students to pay attention to their physical and mental well-being, saying healthy lifestyles, adequate rest and positive relationships were essential for academic success.
Competing schools
The North-Mid Zone will feature the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), the Christian Service University (CSU), the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the Tamale Technical University (TaTU).
The South-West Zone comprises the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), the Koforidua Technical University (KTU) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
The South-East Zone includes the Academic City University (ACity), the Accra Technical University (ATU), the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), the Heritage Christian University (HCU), the Pentecost University (PU), the University of Ghana (UG), the Valley View University (VVU) and the West End University (WEU).
The Quizmaster of the competition, Alhassan Yusif Trawule, said the challenge would continue to provide students with a platform to test their business knowledge, sharpen their communication skills and interact with industry professionals, while preparing them for leadership roles in the corporate world.
