Government accountability tops agenda at accountants summit
South African Airways country manager Yogi Biriggwa (left) exchanges documents with ICPAU president Protazio Begumisa in Kampala last week. PHOTO BY MARTIN LUTHER OKETCH
What you need to know:
- The president of ICPAU, Mr Protazio Begumisa, said: “Effective accountability in the public and private sector is critical for African economic transformation and of achieving African Union Agenda 2063.”
- South African Airways country manager Yogi Biriggwa said the partnership will enable them to sell more during the conference.
Kampala. Effective public sector accountability to enable African governments achieve economic transformation is one of the main topics on the agenda of African Congress Accountants (ACOA) to be held in Uganda from May 2 to 5 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The fourth ACOA conference, to be attended by 1,200 chief accountants from across Africa, Europe, Australia, India and Brazil among other countries, is expected to bring into perspective how government and private institutions can contribute towards African development through transparency and accountability.
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), which is organising the conference in conjunction with Pan African Federation of Accountants, says accountability is an important element of good governance because it shows the extent to which the state is answerable for its actions.
Understanding accountability
Accountability refers to the legal and reporting framework, organisational structure, strategy, procedures, and actions to help ensure that any organisations that use public money and make decisions that affect people’s lives can be held responsible for their actions.
Speaking in Kampala last week, the chairman organising committee of ACOA, Mr John Muhaise Bikalamesa, said the conference will focus on making accountants and government officials more accountability to the general public.
“Public sector accounting is particularly relevant in the context of new public management because it is the most important approach for recording and reporting management acts, helping public managers to achieve their objectives regarding internal and external reporting for accountability purposes,” he said.
He added that ACOA provides an opportunity of boosting networking, international trade, tourism, trade in services and partnerships.
The president of ICPAU, Mr Protazio Begumisa, said: “Effective accountability in the public and private sector is critical for African economic transformation and of achieving African Union Agenda 2063.”
Mr Begumisa announced that ICPAU has partnered with South African Airways to facilitate air travel for the delegates at a discount in the range of 12 to 18 per depending on the destination one is coming from.
South African Airways country manager Yogi Biriggwa said the partnership will enable them to sell more during the conference.
