The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has underscored the importance of aligning education with industry and institutional needs for sustainable development.
Speaking at the 46th Graduation and Admission Ceremony of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) last Saturday, Dr Apaak said human resources remained the most important asset of any nation’s development.
“A country’s development trajectory is shaped not only by its natural resources, but by the competence of its professionals. Ghana’s transformation depends on aligning education with industry, innovation and institutional needs,” he said.
Graduation
The 46th Graduation and Admission Ceremony of ICAG, which was held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) in Accra, was on the theme:
“Professional education as the bedrock of integrity, accountability and national development.”
In total, 513 individuals graduated at the ceremony, with 376 admitted as full members of ICAG, the regulatory body of accounting practice and education, while 137 individuals were admitted as associate members, meaning they would become full chartered accountants after having the required job experience.
Present at the ceremony were notable personalities such as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Abena Osei-Asare, the Chief Executive Officer of ICAG, Eric Oduro Osae and the President of ICAG, Augustine Addo.
Fighting corruption
Dr Apaak described corruption as a major impediment to development and called on accountants to lead the fight against the menace.
According to him, corruption must be fought vigorously through committed efforts by all stakeholders to build public trust in institutions and also sustain economic development.
“Chartered Accountants are indispensable in this endeavour. You design systems, assess risk, enforce compliance, detect irregularities and strengthen transparency.
“The fight against corruption will not be won by declarations alone. It will be won by professionals who insist on proper documentation, who demand adherence to standards, and who refuse to validate financial misrepresentation,” he said.
Ethical values
The President of ICAG, Augustine Addo, advised the new members of ICAG to make integrity, objectivity, professional competence and confidentiality their hallmarks as they embark on their journeys as chartered accountants.
He said that what sets a good chartered accountant apart from the rest is not only about knowledge and skills but also adherence to ethical values.
“We are now in the era where financial fraud and unethical behaviour among some persons in our society and workplaces are on the ascendency.
“As professionals who preach integrity, you have a moral duty to prevent such actions and smoke out perpetrators of fraud,” he added.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh