UEW, ICAG Deepen Collaboration to Advance Professional Accounting Education
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) have renewed their commitment to strengthening professional accounting education and preparing students for the demands of the global business environment.
The commitment was affirmed during a high-level engagement between UEW Management and a delegation from ICAG at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor on Thursday, 18th June 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration, enhancing professional training opportunities, promoting ethical accounting practices and improving students’ pathways to professional qualification.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice-Chancellor of UEW, emphasised the University’s commitment to producing graduates equipped with relevant industry skills and competencies. He noted that academic institutions must continually review their programmes to align with changing industry expectations and ensure students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Prof. Mitchual highlighted the importance of integrating professional development opportunities into students’ academic experiences and suggested leveraging the University’s distance education network to expand access to ICAG training programmes.
The Vice-Chancellor further encouraged closer collaboration between academic and professional bodies, stressing the need to engage lecturers with both academic expertise and professional qualifications to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice.
Mr. Eric Oduro Osae, the Chief Executive Officer of ICAG, commended UEW for its continued partnership with the Institute and highlighted the importance of ethics, integrity and accountability in shaping the future of the accounting profession.
He stressed that modern accountancy goes beyond financial reporting, requiring professionals who demonstrate strong ethical values and the ability to operate in global standards.
“As a member of the International Federation of Accountants, our professionals compete globally. Therefore, we must uphold the highest ethical standards and ensure that future accountants are adequately prepared to meet international expectations,” Mr. Oduro Osae stated.
A key outcome of the engagement was the launch of the ICAG Students’ Association – UEW Chapter, an initiative designed to nurture future accounting professionals, promote leadership development and expose students to the values and expectations of the profession.
Mr. Oduro Osae disclosed that ICAG is working towards strengthening its partnership with UEW through an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding that will provide eligible students with opportunities to access conditional exemptions from selected ICAG professional examination papers before completing their university education.
He explained that the initiative would allow students to combine academic studies with professional training, thereby accelerating their journey towards becoming chartered accountants.
The ICAG CEO also called for collaboration in reviewing academic curricula to incorporate the skills required for the Institute’s transition to fully automated professional examinations. He noted that students must be prepared to operate in digital assessment environments as ICAG continues its digital transformation agenda.
Beyond academic support, Mr. Oduro Osae revealed plans for ICAG to establish a stronger presence at UEW by creating a branded learning space equipped with professional resources. He further appealed for support to establish an ICAG office in Winneba to extend the Institute’s services to students and professionals in the Central Region.
The engagement concluded with a shared commitment from UEW and ICAG to implement practical initiatives that will enhance professional accounting education, improve graduate employability and contribute to the development of competent and ethical accounting professionals for Ghana and beyond.
