Supervisor of Professor Joseph Kwasi Agyemang Expresses Immense Pride in His Accomplishments

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Professor Cameron Modisane, the Deputy Executive Dean of the College of Accounting Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and supervisor of Professor Joseph Kwasi Agyemang’s PhD in Accounting Sciences has expressed immense pride in his accomplishments of Professor Agyemang. He hailed their collaborative efforts as a great honour, underscoring the significance of their scholarly partnership.

“What makes this study compelling is that it contributes to the body of knowledge and may be useful to various stakeholders in understanding how the financial sustainability of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana may be improved through audit committees, boards of directors and internal auditor attributes”, said Professor Modisane.

Professor Modisane is a trailblazer, being the first black person in South Africa to attain a PhD in accounting before the age of 35. He passionately advocates for the education of black communities in South Africa, exemplifying dedication and leadership in breaking barriers and fostering academic excellence. He holds a PhD in Accounting Sciences earned at North-West University, a Master of Commerce in Auditing from the University of Johannesburg, and both a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Auditing and a Bachelor of Commerce in Auditing from the University of Pretoria.

According to Modisane, he was motivated to supervise Professor Agyemang’s PhD due to the limited research in the public sector. In addressing the significance of Professor Agyemang’s success in advancing diversity and inclusivity within the academic realm, particularly in the field of accounting, Professor Modisane expressed his commitment to future collaborations. He intends to continue supervising accounting students pursuing doctoral qualifications, aiming to contribute to the broader goal of fostering diversity. Furthermore, he said the duo plans to collaborate on producing research articles, with the objective of publishing them in high-impact academic journals.

He said like all academic pursuits, Professor Agyemang encountered significant challenges during his PhD journey, with one of the primary hurdles being the decision-making process related to the research approach, mechanisms, and methodology. He also said determining the approach for data collection from the public sector posed a substantial challenge. Despite these obstacles, he said Professor Agyemang demonstrated commendable perseverance and diligence, dedicating himself to overcome these challenges by closely adhering to the guidance and advice he provided him. He emphasized that Professor’s work and commitment ensured that the obstacles were systematically addressed, ultimately contributing to the timely completion of his doctoral research study.

He revealed that a collaborative effort between the University of Eswatini and UNISA is underway to cultivate a new generation of accounting scholars, akin to himself and Professor Agyemang. This partnership aims not only to foster academic excellence but also to jointly contribute to the publication of scientific journal articles. The focus of their collaborative research endeavours is particularly directed towards advancing accounting research, with a unique emphasis on African epistemology and indigenous knowledge systems.

Professor Modisane passionately urged aspiring scholars to persist in their dreams, encouraging them to push beyond existing boundaries and venture into uncharted territories. He emphasized the importance of exploring new possibilities and challenging the accepted norms in African accounting research. According to him, the field is still evolving, holding vast potential for learning and discovery. He conveyed a profound belief that by daring to test the limits, scholars can contribute significantly to the ongoing development of African accounting research.

“With your valuable contribution, we are poised to make a significant global impact in the realm of African accounting research, addressing the pressing needs of our society”, he added.

As the Deputy Executive Dean of the College of UNISA’s Accounting Sciences, Professor Modisane manages a team of over 200 people, including academics and administrators. The college has a student enrollment of more than 30,000 in various accounting courses. He plays a crucial role in providing strategic direction in teaching and learning, research and innovation, academic citizenship, and engaged scholarship. He also collaborates with professional accounting bodies and oversees relationships with organizations that fund accounting education for South African students. Besides, he is involved in supervising master's and PhD students in different accounting disciplines.

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