By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), May 19, GNA – Mr Eric Oduro Osae, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), says the 2026 Annual Conference of the Institute will be a critical platform to shape the future of Ghana’s accounting profession.
His assurance comes in the wake of growing economic and governance challenges.
Speaking during a media engagement on the opening day of the conference in Ho on Monday, Mr Oduro Osae said the conference was being held under the theme: “Building Strong and Sustainable Economies: Standards, Integrity and Accountability.”
He said the conference comes at a time when Ghana and many African countries are dealing with debt pressures, governance challenges, climate-related financial risks and growing demands for accountability and transparency.
Mr Oduro Osae noted that the conference theme was a response to the urgent need for credible financial systems, ethical leadership and responsible governance structures capable of supporting sustainable economic growth.
According to him, strong economies could only be built on sound standards, integrity and accountability, stressing that without integrity, professional standards would lose their value.
He explained that accountants must no longer be viewed only as record keepers but as strategic leaders capable of shaping national development and economic transformation.
A major focus of the conference, he said, would be sustainability reporting and the growing global demand for businesses to integrate environmental, social and governance principles into their operations.
Mr Oduro Osae stated that international sustainability standards such as IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 were redefining expectations for accountants and finance professionals globally.
He said the conference would also examine Ghana’s implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the need to strengthen public financial management and fiscal transparency.
“Public accounting is not just an administrative process. It is essential for accountability, public trust and democratic governance,” he stated.
Mr Oduro Osae further highlighted the importance of ethical tax administration and anti-money laundering systems, noting that illicit financial flows continued to deprive African economies of critical development resources.
He said accountants had a responsibility to detect suspicious financial activities and promote ethical practices within organisations and public institutions.
On technology, Mr Oduro Osae observed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics were rapidly transforming accounting and audit practices, making it necessary for professionals to adapt to changing realities.
“The auditor who understands only the numbers without understanding the systems generating them is already behind the curve,” he cautioned.
Mr Augustine Addo, the President of the ICAG, said the conference was intended to stimulate a national conversation on accountability, governance, sustainability and the future of professional accountancy in Ghana.
He noted that the ICAG had over the past year organised 19 Continuing Professional Development programmes attended by more than 4,500 professionals across the country.
Mr Addo disclosed that more than 4,000 new students had also enrolled into the accounting profession, indicating growing confidence among young people in the relevance of accountancy despite economic uncertainties and technological disruption.
He said the Institute’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan focuses on strengthening ethical compliance, digital transformation, sustainability reporting competencies and professional regulation to prepare a “future-ready accountant.”
The week-long 2026 Accountants’ Week Celebration, being held in Ho, is expected to attract about 2,500 participants, including accountants, auditors, regulators, policymakers, academics and international partners
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah