The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) and Chairman of the Association of Accountant-Generals of Africa, Dr. Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, has emphasised that every public resource entrusted to financial managers must lead to tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

“Every Cedi, Franc, Naira, or Dollar entrusted to public officers must ultimately translate into the prosperity of the people,” Ogunjimi said, adding that financial decisions “directly affect millions of lives.”

Speaking at the Africa Accountant-Generals Conference held at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana, Ogunjimi noted that the traditional perception of accountants as mere record-keepers no longer aligns with the demands of modern public finance.

He explained that today’s financial landscape—shaped by digital innovation, data-driven policymaking, and global economic shifts—requires accountants to serve as strategic advisors, champions of transparency, and custodians of integrity.

“Accountants are leaders. Our work is not simply to balance books; it is to balance the needs of today with the dreams of tomorrow,” he said.

Ogunjimi urged accountant-generals and senior financial managers across Africa to actively participate in strategic decision-making by leveraging data to navigate economic shocks, identify growth opportunities, and strengthen accountability. He stressed that accountants must view themselves as catalysts for economic growth and national transformation, not just administrative personnel.

The conference brought together senior government officials and leading accounting professionals to discuss the evolving roles of accountants in a rapidly changing economic environment, including risk management, financial forecasting, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance.

Economist and entrepreneur Tony Elumelu, who also attended, highlighted that Africa’s greatest challenge is not resource scarcity but a deficit of trust, integrity, and credibility.

“Trust is built through predictability, transparency, and partnership. Trust is the currency of capital. Excellence in public finance is not a luxury—it is a necessity,” he said.

Elumelu called on African accountants to continue leading transformative change by advancing digitalization, deepening accountability frameworks, and ensuring that public financial systems actively support economic progress.