Dr. Moses Acquaah, professor and director of the business administration Ph.D program at UNC Greensboro’s Bryan School of Business and Economics, has been honored with a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Fulbright Scholar Award is one of the most competitive and prestigious fellowships available. Managed by the U.S. Department of State, it offers scholars the opportunity to teach and conduct research abroad, fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange. The program boasts an impressive list of alumni, including 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 80 MacArthur Fellows, underscoring its reputation for excellence. Dr. Acquaah is one of two Bryan School professors who received the Fulbright Scholar Award. Dr. Joy Bhadury, professor of supply chain management and the Bryan School’s future interim dean, received the Fulbright Specialist Award that will take him to South Africa.
A Journey Back to Ghana
This prestigious award will see Dr. Acquaah return to his roots in Ghana, where he will engage in both teaching and research, significantly contributing to the academic community at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Dr. Acquaah’s decision to return to Ghana is deeply personal and meaningful. He completed his higher education in Ghana, where university education is free, and he has always felt a strong commitment to giving back to the country that provided him with such valuable opportunities.
By returning to Ghana, he aims to contribute to the development of higher education and support entrepreneurial women in the economy, a critical sector that often operates informally and without sufficient financial support. Reflecting on his selection, Dr. Acquaah said, “I was elated. I was so happy about getting this award. I know it’s a very competitive award, so anytime you get something like this, you must be excited and happy to be given that opportunity.”
Research and Teaching Focus
The Fulbright award is made up of both teaching and research components. Dr. Acquaah will primarily focus on teaching Ph.D. and master’s students, bringing his expertise to the next generation of scholars. His research will examine women in entrepreneurial businesses, specifically how they obtain and utilize resources in markets where traditional financing options, like bank loans, are often inaccessible. This study will shed light on the innovative strategies these women employ to sustain and grow their businesses.
Dr. Acquaah’s research aligns closely with his existing work in strategy and entrepreneurship, particularly within family businesses. He will collaborate with a fellow researcher conducting similar studies in Niger, enhancing the depth and scope of the findings.
“I always see Ghana as a stepping stone to the whole of Africa, and I’ve always been passionate about doing something to help Africa,” Dr. Acquaah said. “There’s a big problem with capacity development for higher education. It’s a big challenge, which motivates me to do this even more.”
Dr. Acquaah’s Fulbright experience will begin on January 1, 2025 and concludes on June 1, 2025. Learn more about the Fulbright Scholar Award.
