Regional Minister and other dignitaries at the opening Ceremony
President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), Augustine Addo, has stressed that public trust in institutions is now closely linked to accountability and ethical governance, urging accountants to uphold integrity while embracing innovation in a rapidly evolving professional environment.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Accountants’ Conference in Ho, Mr. Addo said the accountancy profession was undergoing significant transformation due to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), sustainability reporting and increasing global demands for transparency.
The week-long conference, being held at Mawuli School, has attracted about 2,500 participants, including accounting professionals and delegates from sister professional accountancy bodies across Africa.
The conference is on the theme: “Building Strong and Sustainable Economies – Standards, Integrity and Accountability.”
According to Mr. Addo, sustainability reporting was increasingly becoming mandatory across the globe, making accountability and ethical leadership central to institutional credibility and economic resilience.
“These developments raise an important question as to whether Ghana is adequately prepared for the future of professional accountancy,” he stated.
He, however, expressed confidence that Ghana was ready for the future, explaining that ICAG had undertaken major reforms and renewal initiatives over the past year to strengthen the profession and position it to respond effectively to global changes.
Mr. Addo urged members to actively participate in the conference discussions to acquire fresh insights that would enhance professional practice and contribute meaningfully to national and continental development.
Touching on digital transformation, he noted that although technology continued to improve efficiency and speed in accounting practice, ethical values must remain the foundation of the profession.
“Technology may improve speed and efficiency, but integrity remains human,” he stressed.
Delegates from countries including South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria and Senegal are participating in the conference, which reflect growing collaboration among African professional accountancy organisations.
Chief Executive Officer of ICAG, Eric Oduro Osae, said strong economies depended on transparent and credible financial systems capable of withstanding scrutiny.
Representing the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Advisor to the Governor, Dr. John Kwabena Kwakye, urged accountants to become active guardians of transparency, anti-corruption and economic resilience.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, described the conference theme as timely, saying standards, integrity and accountability were essential for restoring confidence in public institutions and sustaining Ghana’s economic recovery efforts.
Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, also commended ICAG for selecting the Volta Region to host the conference and described accountants as custodians of accountability and public confidence.
Awards were presented to distinguished personalities and institutions, including Togbe Afede XIV, for their support towards the conference.
The conference will feature technical sessions, policy discussions, networking engagements and professional development activities aimed at strengthening governance, sustainability and financial accountability across Ghana and the African continent.
From Daniel K Orlando, Ho