Accra, Oct. 14, GNA - The Institute of Accountancy Training (IAT), one of the human resource development arms of the Ministry of Finance is poised to support students enrol in the Chattered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA) Universities abroad following its internationally accredited status. The 35 year-old institute, which hitherto ran mainly diploma programmes such as Diplomas in Public Finance Administration, Public Administration, Business Studies, is now affiliated with over five universities in the United Kingdom to help students run the CIPFA programme.

Mr. Theophilus Hanson, Principal of the Institute who said this on Friday at a matriculation ceremony of the College said so far only one Ghanaian has Chartered in CIPFA but noted that the IAT was bracing itself to enable its students to take advantage and be trained in senior management positions.

He said the IAT as at now, was training people to become sub-professionals. Besides, Mr Hanson announced that the Institute was conferring with its governing council to enable it to conduct access course for mature students to increase the student intake. He said since state resources were being used for the training of students, it was the duty of the institute's administration, academic staff and students to realise the expectation indirectly imposed by the citizenry.

Mr Hanson said recognising the role of training for the success of the public sector in the country, it was important to provide finance and management training that would create, improve and sustain a high standard business like attitude and professionalism in public financial management in Ghana.

That, according to him, would strengthen the administrative, financial, auditing and budgetary preparations of the public sector as well as promote the qualities of honesty, integrity, accountability and reliability that would ensure value for money in the use of public resources.

Mr. Hanson urged the students to reorient themselves and work hard to make the above virtues reflective of their academic endeavours that would guide them in the public service.

He told them also to consciously discourage the inertia and bureaucratic tendencies that characterised public sector management. Mr Ofori Adusei, who chaired the function, advised the students to consider the fact that the state was funding their education, hence it would not be prudent on their part after the course to leave for greener pastures elsewhere without the county benefiting from them. "You are not paying fees and as such you are being equipped to help Ghana," he said.

Mr Alex Quaye, the Institute's Administrative Secretary sworn in the 106 new students.