The President of the Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Association of Women Accountants, Ghana, Cecilia Bart Plange, has urged senior high school business students to aspire to become accountants, describing it as a rewarding career.
"As an association, we want you to appreciate that accounting goes far beyond working with numbers. It is very worthwhile and relevant today in securing a better future for you," she stressed.
She said in Ghana today, there was a shift towards subjects that would help one to become a nurse or a teacher, and the preference for arts subjects had led to the relegation of accounting and business subjects to the background.
Mentorship programme
She made the remarks while addressing a business students' mentorship programme organised by the association for business students of the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region.
The objective of the event was to introduce the students to the accounting profession and to encourage them to pursue a career in the field to contribute to its growth.
"We are here today because we believe that the career choices you make at this stage can significantly influence your future, and we are honoured to play a part in helping you make informed decisions," she said.
Dynamic profession
She stated that accounting was a dynamic profession that offered diverse opportunities in banking, auditing, taxation, finance, business, government, consulting and non-governmental organisations.
"It also provides a strong foundation for entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development," she said. "As a group of women professionals in the accounting field, we are particularly passionate about inspiring young people to consider accounting as a fulfilling career."
She entreated the students to remain curious, work hard, develop their talents and skills, and take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow, adding: "Your career journey will become clearer as you discover more about yourselves and the world around you."
Study hard
The Head of the Centre for Business Incubation and Innovation at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Professor Richmell Baaba Amanamah, who also addressed the students, urged them to study hard and pursue their goals towards becoming accountants in future.
She indicated that accounting was a sought-after profession, as accountants are needed in every sector to manage the finances of institutions.
"Accountants are needed in educational institutions, hospitals, churches and non-governmental organisations, among others," she said.
Professor Amanamah, who is also the Vice-President of AWAG in the region, advised the students against engaging in acts that had the tendency to distract them from their academic pursuit.
Current phenomenon
For his part, the headmaster of KUMACA, Samuel Kwame Gato, said the current phenomenon where students shy away from pursuing business programmes in SHS would eventually make the profession an enviable one.
He told the students to count themselves lucky for offering the course, as it would open opportunities for them, stressing: "Many firms will be chasing you to work for them."
