Kan-Dapaah appointed Director, Centre for Public Accountability

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has appointed the immediate past Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, as Director for its new Centre for Public Accountability (CPA).

In a statement issued in Accra and copied to the media, the university said the objective of the centre was to conduct thorough study and research into public sector accountability and develop time-tested recommendations for reforms to promote public accountability and transparency in the Ghanaian and African public sectors, as well as the quality of public service outcomes. 

According to the statement, the centre, which is the second of three of such centres of excellence established by the UPSA, aims to become the leading tertiary-based think tank in the provision of quality and relevant training, research and consultancy support to promote public sector accountability in Africa.

“The centre will conduct cutting-edge research into public sector accountability issues and build the capacity of public sector officials and lawmakers through highly interactive training programmes and consultancy support,” the statement added.

Reason for choosing Mr Kan-Dapaah

Stating the reason for choosing the former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, the statement quoted the Vice Chancellor of the UPSA, Professor Joshua Alabi, as saying, “Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah is not only an astute politician who understands the intricacies of the financial decision-making process in the public sector, but also a former minister for four critical ministries — Energy, Communication, Interior and Defence.

“There is no doubt that Mr Kan-Dapaah thoroughly understands our vision for the centre and fully identifies with it. We believe he will lead the transformative process to improve the quality of public sector management,” it observed.

Acceptance speech

In his acceptance speech, the release noted that Mr Kan-Dapaah expressed the delight and willingness to serve his alma mater.

He was quoted as saying, “This is the institution which made me who I am today and I am committed to contributing my quota to making it a globally recognised university. I am happy and looking forward to an exciting experience in the years ahead.” 

Brief background of new director of CPA

Mr Kan-Dapaah is a former student of the UPSA where he studied for his professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant. Before his full-time political career, Mr Kan-Dapaah was a Chartered Accountant and worked with Pannel Kerr Forster, an international firm of Chartered Accountants, as an Audit Senior in their offices in Accra and London and as resident partner in Monrovia, Liberia between 1978 and 1986. 

He joined the Electricity Corporation of Ghana in September 1987 where he rose from Director of Audit to become Director of Finance, a position he held for six years.  

After his successful career in politics, Mr Kan-Dapaah returned to the UPSA as an adjunct lecturer in Auditing at the graduate level. 

The university awarded him a Doctor of Humane Letters last year for his contributions to academic excellence in the country.