By Jones Anlimah
The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), has officially opened the 2026 Accountants’ Week celebration in Ho in the Volta Region with a strong call on professionals and institutions to uphold standards, integrity and accountability in building sustainable economies.
The week-long celebration, being held under the theme “Building Strong and Sustainable Economies: Standards, Integrity and Accountability,” has brought together accountants, financial experts, policymakers and corporate leaders from across the country.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Advisor to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. John Kwabena Kwakye, said sustainable economic growth could only be achieved through transparency, ethical leadership and responsible financial management.
“Strong economies aren’t just built on numbers. They are built on the trust those numbers represent,” he stated.
Dr. Kwakye described accountants as “the architects of economic resilience,” stressing that the profession must go beyond traditional bookkeeping to safeguarding integrity in both public and private financial systems.
He noted that although Ghana had experienced significant economic challenges in recent years, signs of recovery were emerging.
“Today’s stabilisation towards single-digit inflation and a 2026 growth projection of 4.8 percent signal the early success of our reset agenda,” he said.
Dr. Kwakye also urged accountants to embrace technology and artificial intelligence to improve accountability and financial oversight, adding that “AI will not replace accountants, but accountants who leverage AI will replace those who do not.”
President of ICAG, Mr. Augustine Addo, in his welcome address, said the conference theme was timely as Ghana and the global economy continue to confront governance and economic challenges.
“In an era where there is an urgent quest for sustainable economic growth, where adherence to professional standards is dwindling, and where morality and ethical behaviour have been downplayed, our ability to come together like this is more important now than ever,” he said.
Mr. Addo further charged accountants to actively contribute to national development by promoting accountability, fighting corruption and ensuring efficient financial management.
“The decisions we make and the ideas we generate in this conference have the power to shape economies, influence policies and improve lives in Ghana and beyond,” he added.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, welcomed participants to Ho and described the choice of the Volta Region as host for the celebration as significant for the area’s growing economic and investment prospects.
“Accountants are not merely keepers of figures and financial records. They are custodians of transparency, accountability and public trust,” he stated.
Mr. Gunu commended ICAG for its commitment to professional excellence and ethical leadership, saying the accounting profession remains a key partner in improving governance and restoring confidence in public institutions.
He also encouraged participants to explore the tourism and cultural attractions within the Volta Region during their stay.
The celebration will feature professional development sessions, networking activities, a financial literacy outreach programme and ICAG’s 62nd Annual General Meeting.
