Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - Mr. Theophilus Hanson, Principal of the Institute of Accountancy Training (IAT), on Friday appealed to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to expedite action on the completion of the new twin-five storey classroom and office building of the institute at Adenta to able it to admit more students.
He told journalists in Accra that the current structure of the institute at Asylum Down, affectionately called "Asylum University", had only seven classrooms and an administrative block, and some of the classrooms were too small to accommodate the current number of students on admission.
Mr Hanson made the appeal at this year's matriculation ceremony for 117 students, 57 more than last year's intake. The Institute, which was established in 1970, admitted that number out of 273 candidates who applied for admission.
He noted that since the school was under the Ministry of Finance, its budgetary allocation was totally dependent on the ministry. Mr Hanson said it had taken the ministry seven years to construct the new premises to its present level "and we hoped to move in last month but as it is now we do not know when it will finally be completed".
The principal noted that the increase in this year's admission was because two additional courses, Diploma in Public Administration and Professional Qualification of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy were introduced this year.
Originally, the institute offered only Diploma in Public Finance and Accountancy for public sector workers, but with the additional courses, the institute has now opened up to private sector workers. Mr Hanson said the Institute was a college-based workplace and it admitted only persons who were already working and wanted to improve upon their financial management and accountancy skills.
The Institute is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and, in that capacity, is comparable to several universities in Europe and in the United States.
Mr Hanson urged students to be disciplined and hardworking and participate in all school activities, saying all courses were full-time and all activities were compulsory for both day and evening students.
