Our Goal Is Not Just to Produce Accountants, but to Nurture Competent, Ethical and Responsible Leaders for Ghana – ICAG CEO.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) is strengthening its engagement with tertiary students as part of a broader strategy to develop not only future Chartered Accountants, but also competent, ethical and responsible professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICAG, E.O. Osae, FCA, disclosed this at the Grand Finale of the 8th Tertiary Business Sense Challenge (TBSC) held at Zenith University College in Accra.
He said the Institute’s approach to professional development increasingly placed emphasis on early engagement, mentorship, professional networking, career preparation and leadership development, noting that the foundations of professional excellence must be built well before students enter the workplace.
“Our goal is not just to produce accountants, but to nurture competent, ethical and responsible leaders for Ghana,” the CEO said.
Connecting Students with the Profession
According to the CEO, a key component of this vision was the expansion of the ICAG Students’ Association (ICAGSA) across tertiary institutions.
He explained that ICAGSA was being positioned as a structured platform for connecting students with Chartered Accountants and the wider professional community while they were still pursuing their university education.
Through this engagement, students would gain early exposure to the realities and expectations of professional life and have opportunities to begin building their professional identity, networks and career aspirations.
The CEO said the initiative was also intended to help students make informed career choices and better understand the competencies, values and professional discipline required to succeed in the workplace.
Mentorship, Networking and Career Readiness
The CEO identified three (3) key areas through which students would benefit from their engagement with ICAGSA.
- Mentorship: Students would have opportunities to interact with experienced Chartered Accountants who could provide career guidance, professional insights and practical advice based on their experiences in the profession.
- Professional networking: The Association would facilitate meaningful connections among students, Chartered Accountants and other professionals, enabling students to establish networks that could support their professional growth and future career opportunities.
- Career development and workplace readiness: Students would be exposed to the profession and provided with opportunities to strengthen the skills, confidence and practical understanding required to make a successful transition from university to the world of work.
Beyond the University Degree
The CEO stressed that tertiary education should prepare students for more than obtaining academic qualifications.
“The university years should prepare students not only to graduate, but also to apply knowledge, gain practical experience, navigate the world of work and develop the capacity to lead,” he said.
He encouraged students to complement their academic studies with critical thinking, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and ethical decision-making skills.
He noted that these competencies would be increasingly important in an evolving global economy where professionals were expected to adapt to technological change, manage uncertainty and make sound decisions in complex environments.
TBSC as a Platform for Developing Future Leaders
The CEO said the expansion of ICAGSA formed part of ICAG’s broader strategy to engage young people early and develop a strong pipeline of future professionals and business leaders.
He cited the Tertiary Business Sense Challenge as another important platform through which the Institute was contributing to this objective.
The TBSC, organised by Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in partnership with ICAG, provides tertiary students with an opportunity to test their knowledge, sharpen their critical-thinking abilities, strengthen teamwork and build confidence in a competitive environment.
ICAG provides financial and technical support to the competition as part of its commitment to promoting business knowledge and professional development among young people.
Measuring the Impact
The CEO said the ultimate measure of ICAG’s investment in young people would not simply be the number of students who eventually qualified as Chartered Accountants.
Rather, he said, the Institute would measure its impact by the extent to which the young people it engaged developed into trusted professionals, ethical business leaders and responsible citizens who contribute positively to Ghana’s development.
“The true measure of our investment in young people will be seen in the years ahead, when those we nurture today emerge as trusted professionals, responsible business leaders and citizens who contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
Strong Support for Youth Development
The Grand Finale was attended by the President of ICAG, Augustine Addo, FCA, members of the ICAG Council, Management and staff, representatives of the Ministry of Education and tertiary institutions, partners, sponsors and students.
The gathering highlighted the importance of collaboration among professional bodies, educational institutions, the media and other stakeholders in creating meaningful opportunities for young people to develop the knowledge, skills and values required for professional and leadership success.
UCC Wins 8th TBSC
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) emerged champion of the 8th edition of the Tertiary Business Sense Challenge, following an impressive performance at the Grand Finale.
The competition has continued to provide a national platform for tertiary students to demonstrate their knowledge and develop critical thinking, teamwork, confidence and business awareness.
For ICAG, the success of the TBSC and the expansion of ICAGSA form part of a wider commitment to investing in young people and strengthening the pipeline of professionals and leaders who will help shape the future of Ghana.
The Institute reaffirmed its commitment to working with GCGL, tertiary institutions and other strategic partners to expand opportunities for students and support their transition from academic life into productive professional careers.
