Mr. George Andah, a former Deputy Minister of Communications, has advised graduates of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to uphold integrity, accountability, and professionalism in their careers. He made the call at the Fourth session of the 18th Congregation of the UPSA for the Faculty of Accounting and Finance, where 978 students graduated. Mr. Andah emphasized that graduates, particularly those entering the accounting and finance professions, must recognize that their work goes beyond managing figures to building public trust through accuracy, transparency, and ethical conduct.
The event saw a total of 5,120 students graduating from the University. Mr. Andah, who was also the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya in the Central region, challenged the graduates to make integrity the foundation of their professional and personal lives. He stressed that financial information is only valuable when it can be trusted, noting that inaccurate records and questionable financial practices can undermine confidence in institutions and public administration.
Citing the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report, Mr. Andah highlighted that it had flagged GH¢18.4 billion in irregularities across public institutions, representing a 109 percent increase over the previous year. This development, he said, underscores the importance of accuracy, accountability, and professional discipline in financial management. Mr. Andah shared his professional experiences in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors, which reinforced the importance of reliable data and verifiable results.
Mr. Andah recounted his involvement in the launch of a telecommunications network in Ghana, which recorded one million active subscribers within its first 100 days of operation. He explained that the distinction between active and merely registered subscribers is crucial, stressing that professional credibility depends on the use of accurate and verifiable information. He encouraged the graduates to ensure that their professional signatures represent reliability and confidence, particularly when preparing or endorsing financial statements.
The former Deputy Minister outlined several principles to guide the graduates, including being proactive, building a lasting personal brand, nurturing professional relationships, and giving back to society. As Ghana embraces digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), Mr. Andah noted that routine tasks would increasingly become automated. However, he emphasized that human judgment, interpretation, accountability, and discipline would remain essential, particularly in finance and management.
Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, encouraged the graduates to resist compromising their values for promotions, contracts, financial rewards, or other temporary personal benefits. He cautioned against the growing perception that obtaining a university degree automatically guarantees employment, attractive salaries, prestigious positions, and comfortable lifestyles. A university degree, he said, should be regarded as a license to assume greater responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to organizations and national development.
Ms. Matilda Dede Angmortey, the overall best graduating student for the Faculty of Accounting and Finance, commended the University and her parents for their support. She pledged to use the experience acquired to adhere to the tenets of accounting ethics to enhance the professional image of accounting. Ms. Angmortey graduated with a final cumulative grade point average of 3.91. The graduates were urged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to make a positive impact in their respective fields.
Key points
- Mr. George Andah advises UPSA graduates to prioritize integrity and accountability in their careers.
- The 2024 Auditor-General’s Report flagged GH¢18.4 billion in irregularities across public institutions.
- Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor cautions graduates against compromising their values for personal benefits.
