The Cape Coast Chapter of the Association of Women Accountants Ghana (AWAG) has been inaugurated, with a call for women to combine competence with character to take their place in the accounting profession.
The inauguration comes five years after the chapter was established.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Finance at the University of Cape Coast, Elizabeth Obese, indicated that when women stepped forward, they brought with them not only technical expertise but also unique perspectives, integrity, diligence and an enduring sense of community.
According to her, women accountants are not just custodians of figures but also custodians of trust, transparency and ethics, making their role indispensable to both institutions and society at large.
She challenged members of the new chapter to pursue excellence that goes beyond competence, stressing that “competence without character is empty.”
Many professionals, she explained, may have impressive qualifications, but it was character that ultimately sustained trust and opened doors.
She further urged the women accountants to extend their influence beyond boardrooms by engaging in community outreach programmes to mentor others, especially students and young professionals, and to use their expertise to transform society.
Induction
The colourful ceremony also witnessed the induction of executives to steer the affairs of the Cape Coast Chapter. Dr Philomina Araba Sam was sworn in as President, with Fauzia Muhammed as Vice President, Dorcas Bawa-Desbordes as Secretary, Sally Ama Ackon as Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Oboobi Obese as Public Relations Officer and Sharifa Bimpowah as Welfare Officer.
They pledged to uphold the values of AWAG and work to strengthen the association’s presence in the region.
The National President of AWAG, Victoria Nipa, encouraged women accountants to give their best and remain resilient in their professional journey.
She acknowledged the challenges women often faced but maintained that perseverance, mentorship and a commitment to excellence would yield results.
She also encouraged students present at the programme to aspire to become chartered accountants, emphasising that the profession required discipline but rewarded dedication.
The occasion was also used to educate students from the University of Cape Coast and the University Practice School on pathways to becoming Chartered Accountants.
The Head of the Department of Accounting at the School of Business, Prof. George Nii Tackie, UCC, pointed out that many students, even within business programmes, were unaware of AWAG’s existence.
He, therefore, called on the association to intensify its outreach efforts, particularly in senior high schools, to demystify the accounting profession and attract more young people.
