Times Of Swaziland: ACCOUNTANTS CRUCIAL IN GOVT’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AMBITIONS

ACCOUNTANTS CRUCIAL IN GOVT’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AMBITIONS
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Nhlanganiso Mkhonta on 04/10/2024 11:26:00


EZULWINI - Accountants are at the heart of the country’s economic growth as
it’s strives to attain the ambitious annual GDP growth target of 12 per cent
by 2028.
This was stated by the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini during the Eswatini
Institute of Accountants (ESIA) 2024 Annual Dinner and graduation ceremony held
on Wednesday evening at the Happy Valley Hotel. Dlamini was represented by the
Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo. Dlamini said as per
government’s ‘nkwe’ policy statement, they need accountants and auditors
to be at the forefront of this vision. He said accountants and auditors play a
critical role in ensuring accountability and transparency in both public and
private sectors.
“Their work supports government’s commitment to good governance, reducing
corruption and enhancing public service delivery,” he said. Dlamini said the
agenda of His Majesty’s government for economic growth and development aligns
with the work that ESIA and the accounting profession in ensuring transparency,
accountability, and prudent financial management. He said as such, it is
critical that there is private-public collaboration where government and the
private sector, as well as professional bodies like ESIA work together to
achieve national development goals.
Auditors
The PM further commended ESIA for its ongoing efforts in regulating and
developing the profession of accountants and auditors in the country. He said
since its establishment through the Accountants Act 5 of 1985, ESIA has
demonstrated true professionalism within the legal framework that established
it. “We commend ESIA for establishing its Ethics Committee, which ensures that
ethical standards are upheld in the profession and serves as a model of
self-regulation,” he said. He further stressed the importance of ethical
leadership across all sectors, especially accounting, where integrity and
transparency are non-negotiable.
He said in order to effectively eradicate corruption, they need to foster public
trust and promote good governance, and to do that we need ethical leadership.
Dlamini reaffirmed government’s commitment to upholding ethical standards in
public finance management and governance as seen with various programmes and
policies, including the recent establishment of a Government Audit Committee,
the first of its kind in the country.
Permanent
He said as a valuable institution in the kingdom, there is a need for ESIA to
have permanent and stable structures to continue its important work in
regulating the profession. He said government will ensure ESIA has the necessary
support to achieve this lifetime goal.