The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) emerged winners of the North-Mid Zonal Finals of the eighth edition of the Tertiary Business Sense Challenge (TBSC), becoming the first institution to qualify for the national finals alongside the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) and Tamale Technical University (TaTU).
The three institutions secured qualification after finishing as the top performers in the North-Mid Zone competition, held from July 16 to 18, 2026. The contest brought together six universities to compete in rounds covering finance, economics, accounting, management, entrepreneurship and current business affairs.
Organised by Graphic Business, a brand of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, the competition continued its objective of preparing students for the demands of the corporate world by testing their ability to analyse business situations, interpret financial information and make strategic decisions under pressure.
Competition
KNUST topped the North-Mid Zone after producing consistent performances throughout the contest. UENR placed second, while TaTU claimed the third qualifying slot to advance to the national stage.
The North-Mid Zone featured KNUST, UENR, Tamale Technical University, Kumasi Technical University, the University for Development Studies and Christian Service University. The institutions competed through several rounds designed to assess technical knowledge, teamwork and critical thinking.
The TBSC has continued to distinguish itself from conventional academic quizzes by focusing on practical business issues rather than memorisation. Participants are required to apply knowledge acquired in the classroom to real business and economic situations, reflecting the decision-making environment encountered in industry.
Schedule
Following the completion of the North-Mid Zone, the competition will move to the South-West Zone from July 22 to 24, where institutions will compete for places in the next stage.
The South-East Zone will then be held from August 5 to 8 to determine the remaining qualifiers. Institutions from both zones will battle for qualification as the competition moves towards its knockout stages.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for August 21 and 22, followed by the semi-finals on August 25. The national champions will be crowned during the grand finale, scheduled for August 28 or 29.
Business focus
The competition has continued to attract participation from leading universities and technical universities because of its emphasis on practical business knowledge and industry relevance.
Developed with support from PwC Ghana and other corporate partners, the challenge requires contestants to interpret financial statements, assess business risks, analyse market trends and recommend practical solutions to business problems within a limited time.
Unlike traditional quiz competitions, the TBSC places equal emphasis on knowledge, communication, teamwork and strategic thinking.
This approach has helped position the competition as a platform that nurtures graduates with skills demanded by employers across different sectors of the economy.
Industry links
Beyond the competition, the TBSC has continued to strengthen collaboration between higher education and the private sector by exposing students to contemporary business issues and industry expectations.
The challenge also provides participants with opportunities to engage professionals from accounting, banking, consulting and other sectors while gaining practical insights into the changing business environment before graduation.
