UPSA launches its first faculty-authored textbook project

The University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Accra, on June 12, 2025, launched its first faculty-authored book and journal project at a ceremony at the university’s auditorium in Accra.

The project, which was launched by the Vice Chancellor of UPSA, Prof. John Kwaku Mawutor, marked a significant turning point for the tertiary community, as it became the first higher learning institution in Ghana to launch such an initiative to provide an opportunity for the use of textbooks produced by the university.

The project, which is to address the gap in the literature in the country, especially indigenous case studies, is also seen as a conscious effort to write the university’s own books to tell its own stories when it comes to accounts of industry activities in the country.

Under the project, the university has instituted some incentives to encourage student groups and individuals to write books that focus on local companies.

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has always been committed to providing high-quality education to its students.

A few years back, the faculty noticed that many students were struggling to access relevant and affordable textbooks that aligned with their programmes.

The main idea is to create a series of textbooks authored by UPSA faculty members themselves, while the university will engage heads of departments and a number of faculty members on how to start faculty journals that focus on areas of specialisation across departments.

Speaking to the media after the launch, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, said the project will make it easy for lecturers to use indigenous case studies to teach.

He said in the coming weeks, lecturers will approach companies to take their case studies to translate them into academic literature and use them in the books to teach students.

Prof. Kwaku Mensah Mawutor said this is important because by teaching using case studies of local companies, students can resonate with that literature because they know those companies.

Prof. Kwaku Mensah Mawutor expressed worry that “you go to the university’s library, and you cannot see at least 10% of the books authored by lecturers.”

“We want to encourage our faculty members to publish books and not only share their knowledge in the classroom, which is only beneficial to the student, but when you write, you share and the benefit transcends beyond student and several generations will come and read,” he explained, adding that they aim to ensure that Ghanaians born in 200 years to come will get to read about companies that were established several years ago.

Prof. Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, the brain behind the project, and his dedicated lecturers from various departments came together to brainstorm and plan the project.

They identified key areas where textbooks were needed most and assigned chapters to authors based on their expertise. The writing process was collaborative, with regular workshops and peer reviews to ensure the content was engaging, accurate, and relevant to the Ghanaian context.

The project had a significant impact on the university community. Students appreciated the affordability and relevance of the textbooks, which improved their learning outcomes.

The faculty members involved in the project gained recognition as experts in their fields, and the university’s reputation as a leader in professional education was enhanced.

The project also opened up new opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the university.

Other faculties and departments began to explore similar initiatives, and the university’s administration provided support and resources to sustain the project.

As the textbooks continue to be used by students and faculty members, they serve as a testament to the university’s commitment to excellence and its role as a leader in professional education.

The project’s success will inspire other universities to embark on similar initiatives, creating a ripple effect that will benefit students and faculty members across the region.

The UPSA faculty-authored textbooks project is a shining example of what can be achieved when educators come together to create something truly remarkable.

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