After a keenly contested encounter, the team from Ashesi University beat out the competition from two teams representing the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), as well as the team from the University of Ghana Business School (UGSB) to emerge winners of the inaugural Research Challenge organised by the local arm of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Society.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides final year undergraduates and MBA-level students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics. Participating students are tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, research, and presentation skills.
This edition saw teams conduct an in-depth analysis of some publicly listed companies and provide investment recommendations based on their findings.
The National Finals, which was held in Accra saw ‘Team B’ from the UPSA end the competition in fourth place, followed by UGBS and UPSA ‘Team A’ in third and second place respectively.
Ashesi’s feat will see them representing the Ghana Society at the Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Regional Final later this year.
Speaking during the event, President of the local society, Nana Wiafe Boamah said the society is committed to building future finance and investment professionals in the country through the challenges and other engagements.
He was of the view that the growth and development of the Ghanaian capital and financial market are dependent on professionals who have acquired requisite analytical skills and ethical grounding.
“We a very happy with the success of the first of its kind challenge locally and we are expectant that it will set the stage for a deeper and healthier financial market,” he said.
He further indicated that the society is working to secure internship opportunities at leading financial institutions for all the 20 participants.
“The idea is not to allocate that to the winning team only but to provide as much opportunity as possible to all who have participated, as getting to this point is indicative of critical skills needed in the market,” he added.
Under the tutelage of the Faculty Advisor, Mr. Anthony Essel-Anderson, Team Ashesi comprising of Bridgette Adastsi, John Ayomah, George Duku, Enyonam and Joyce Selby expressed excitement at the achievement.
They added that the rigours of the Challenge would serve them in good stead in their academic and professional endeavours.
“We wanted to expand our knowledge within the finance and investment field, meet new people and learn from the strong teams that we met. We will put in the work to ensure that we come out on top during the regional finals and make Ghana proud,” they said.
CFA Society Nigeria is the local member society of CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials.
