Uphold integrity and accountability- UPSA graduates advised

Mr. George Andah, a former Deputy Minister of Communications, has implored graduates from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), to maintain integrity, accountability, and professionalism in their careers. He emphasized that their work involved much more than just managing numbers; it was about fostering public trust through precision, transparency, and ethical behavior.

Speaking at the University's Fourth session of the 18th Congregation for the Faculty of Accounting and Finance, where 978 students graduated, Mr. Andah challenged the new graduates to make integrity the cornerstone of their professional and personal lives.

Mr. Andah highlighted the critical importance of financial information being trustworthy, as inaccurate records and questionable financial practices could erode confidence in institutions and public administration. Drawing from the 2024 Auditor-General's Report, he pointed out a GH¢18.4 billion increase in irregularities across public institutions, a 109% rise from the previous year.

This figure underscored the significance of accuracy, accountability, and professional discipline in financial management. "For me, finance and accounting are about trust," he stated.

With a background in Parliament and the Communications sector, Mr. Andah underscored the importance of reliable data and verifiable results. He recounted the successful launch of a telecommunications network in Ghana, which achieved one million active subscribers within the first 100 days. He stressed that distinguishing between active and merely registered subscribers was vital, emphasizing that professional credibility hinged on utilizing accurate and verifiable information.

Mr. Andah cautioned the graduates that they were entering a profession of trust, not merely a profession of calculators. He urged them to ensure their professional signatures conveyed reliability and confidence, especially when preparing or endorsing financial statements that guided investment, regulatory, pension, and corporate decisions.

Several principles were outlined for the graduates, including being proactive, building a lasting personal brand, cultivating professional relationships, and giving back to society. Mr. Andah emphasized that with the advent of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), many routine tasks, such as data entry and basic reconciliations, would likely be automated. However, he stressed that human judgment, interpretation, accountability, and discipline would remain crucial, particularly in finance and management.

Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, urged the graduates to resist compromising their values for short-term gains such as promotions, contracts, financial rewards, or other temporary personal benefits. He cautioned against the misconception that a university degree guaranteed employment, high salaries, prestigious positions, or a comfortable lifestyle.

A degree, he argued, should be seen as a license to assume greater responsibilities and make meaningful contributions to organizations and national development.

Ms. Matilda Dede Angmortey, the overall best graduating student from the Faculty of Accounting and Finance, thanked the University and her parents for their support in achieving her milestones. She pledged to uphold the principles of accounting ethics to enhance the professional image of the faculty. Ms. Angmortey, who graduated with a final cumulative grade point average of 3.91, exemplified the academic excellence and ethical standards expected from the graduates.