Speakers at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) have called on accountants and financial professionals to take a frontline role in promoting transparency, ethical leadership, and accountability to strengthen Ghana’s economy and governance systems.
The conference, being held in Ho on the theme, “Building Strong and Sustainable Economies: Standards, Integrity and Accountability,” has attracted about 2,500 participants, including policymakers, academics, regulators, accountants, international partners, and business leaders.
Delivering the keynote address, John Kwabena Kwakye, Advisor to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Guest of Honour, stressed that sustainable economic growth depended heavily on ethical leadership, transparency, and strong financial systems.
According to him, economic resilience could not be measured solely by infrastructure, GDP growth, or market expansion, but by the level of trust and integrity underpinning national institutions.
“Strong economies are not built on numbers alone; they are built on the trust those numbers represent,” he stated.
Dr Kwakye said accountants remained key guardians of financial integrity and must play a greater role in combating corruption, promoting fiscal discipline, and ensuring responsible management of public and private resources.
He also highlighted the increasing impact of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics on the accounting profession, warning that professionals who failed to adapt to technological changes risked becoming obsolete.
“AI will not replace accountants, but accountants who use AI will replace those who do not,” he cautioned.
Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, described the conference theme as timely, noting that standards, integrity, and accountability were essential for restoring public confidence and sustaining Ghana’s economic recovery.
He said the country had made progress in stabilising inflation and rebuilding the economy after recent economic challenges, but stressed that continued fiscal discipline and accountability would remain critical.
“We must build an economy that can sustain stability through our own internal discipline and accountability systems,” he stated.
President of ICAG, Augustine Addo, said the accounting profession had become increasingly important in addressing global economic, environmental, and governance challenges.
He noted that the conference would provide a platform for discussions on sustainability reporting, anti-corruption strategies, digital transformation, climate accountability, and corporate governance.
“We have a responsibility not only to our profession but also to our communities and future generations,” he said.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, also commended ICAG for hosting the conference in the region and acknowledged the crucial role accountants play in promoting transparency, prudent resource management, and public confidence.
“The role of accountants in nation-building cannot be underestimated. They are custodians of accountability and public confidence,” he noted.
The conference is expected to feature technical sessions, policy dialogues, networking engagements, and professional development programmes focused on strengthening governance, sustainability, and financial accountability in Ghana and across Africa.
