From Kakai to Lifeline: Unpacking the Transformational Role of Sakai LMS for Seamless Academic Continuity During and Post-COVID

Abstract

When the Sakai Learning Management System (LMS) was first introduced at the University of 
Ghana particularly within the Distance Education (DE) programme, it was met with scepticism 
and resistance, earning the informal label “kakai”, a local term meaning "monster." Initially used 
for uploading slides and course materials, Sakai was perceived as cumbersome and overwhelming 
by both faculty and students. However, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a dramatic turning point. 
With the abrupt suspension of face-to-face teaching, Sakai emerged as an indispensable tool for 
academic continuity, transforming its image from a misunderstood platform to a digital lifeline.  
This study examines the transformation of the Sakai Learning Management System (LMS) at the 
University of Ghana. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi
structured interviews with 45 students and 7 faculty across three phases: pre-COVID, during 
COVID, and post-COVID. Participants were purposively selected from the Distance Education 
programme, and interviews were analysed thematically. The findings reveal a significant shift in 
perceptions, usage, and institutional support for Sakai over time. Pre-COVID, Sakai was 
minimally adopted. During COVID-19, the platform became central to academic continuity, 
prompting rapid digital adaptation among students and faculty. In the post-COVID period, Sakai 
usage normalized and became embedded in blended learning practices, with users demonstrating 
improved digital confidence and valuing the platform’s organisational and pedagogical benefits. 
The study concludes that Sakai’s evolution from a feared system to a trusted academic lifeline was 
driven by crisis-enabled and growing digital literacies among users. The findings underscore the 
need for sustained infrastructural investments, continuous training, culturally responsive 
communication, and stronger policy frameworks to support long-term digital transformation in 
higher education. The study contributes to limited literature on the sociocultural dimensions of 
LMS adoption in African universities and offers practical insights for strengthening technology
enhanced learning in resource-constrained contexts. 
Keywords: Sakai Learning Management System, Digital Learning, COVID-19, Higher Education, 
Ghana 
Date of submission: 16, August 2025; Date of acceptance: 17, June 2026 
Date of publication: 29th July 2026 
url: https://mjdesjournal.com/index.php/mjdes/issue/view/4 
*Corresponding Author: *Monica Mensah Danquah  
Citation: Danquah, M.M., Mintah, O.K., & Yankson, A.Y. (2026). From Kakai to Lifeline: Unpacking the 
Transformational Role of Sakai LMS for Seamless Academic Continuity During and Post-COVID. 
Multidisciplinary Journal of Distance Education Studies, 2026, 4(SI), 27-51.