Ghana needs visionary professionals - Minister

Professor Naana Opoku Agyeman, the Minister of Education, on Saturday said the country’s economy needs dedicated and visionary professionals who are ready to make sacrifices to change the fortunes of the economy for national development.

She noted that there is the need to build human capital since it is critical to the country’s development and that, it is imperative to make in-roads to churn out competent and skilled professionals irrespective of the area of expertise.

This was in a statement read on her behalf at the 24th Graduation and Admission ceremony of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, in Accra.

The ceremony witnessed the graduation of 297 qualified chartered accountants, with 43 graduating from the Accounting Technicians Scheme of West Africa. Fifty-one others graduated in chartered Diploma courses whilst 296 were inducted into the membership of the institute.

She urged them to develop the attitude of resilience and perseverance, adding that, government is counting on the Institute to support its efforts in ensuring that financial processes and procedures are free of any hindrances.

The Minister said her Ministry is committed to partnering the Institute to drive the human capital development agenda of the country to put the nation on a sure footing.

The Minister said their outfits are collaborating with the Institute to get the revised bill through into law and help streamline accountancy practice in the country.

She urged the graduates to uphold the tenets of the profession and ensure accountability and integrity in their field of disciplines since they are imperative in the country’s democratic dispensation as well as correct the negative perception about the accountancy profession.

Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, the Managing Director of Graphic Communications urged the graduates to refrain from misconducts, by observing proper professional standards and avoid mixing professional and personal relationships.

Mr Ashigbey stressed that, as professional accountants, it behooves on them to be part of management to implement a system of controls, financial or otherwise, to carry on the business in an orderly and efficient manner.

He urged them to strive for continuous education and learn from other mentors, colleagues and clients to further enhance their professional development.

Professor Kwame Boasiako Omane-Antwi, the President of the Institute, said professional accountants are part of the country’s socio-economic transformation agenda and have contributed in that regard through high-qualified financial reporting, auditing and financial management.

These, he said, attracts foreign direct investment, promotes growth and development of the Small and Medium Enterprises sector, increases transparency and accountability in the use of public funds and improves the design and delivery of vital public services.

He said the Institute would continue to institutionalize its programmes, such as the continuous professional development, to sharpen the knowledge base of members.