Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN and their Cameroonian counterparts of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Cameroon, ICAC, have taken a commitment to share all the goodness in their relationship.
At the inauguration ceremony of the Cameroon District Society of ICAN in Douala, recently, ICAN’s 48thPresident, Doyin Idowu Owolabi said they are in Cameroon not to overshadow the other accounting examinations but to collaborate, share the same
ICAN 48th President, Owolabi (L) hands over a gift to a Cameroonian official of ICAC
relationship they have with partners in Ghana, Mali and the UK. “We’re to take care of the interest of our members and up skill them in the latest developments in Accounting,” he mentioned. “We look out for employment opportunities for our members. This is the time for ICAN and ICAC to get closer for our collectives good,” he added.
Cross section of ICAN officials during a working session with ICAC officials in Douala, Cameroon
According to the ICAN Chair, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, ACCA, has come to kill local
institutes in the African continent through their exams, which is tailored from the European reality and not from African perspectives. “It’s a kind of neo-colonialism. Local institutes in Africa should come together and free themselves from neo-colonialism,” Owolabi noted.
The ICAN Executive said they have assistance from the World Bank to sponsor training programmes in Nigeria and countries that they have their districts in. “Our Cameroon partners will own the ICAN exams but ICAN will offer technical assistance in the areas of formulating and printing questions,” Owolabi mentioned.
Pierre Wanzi, former President of ICAC corroborated the ICAN Chief Executive, saying they are ready to host ICAN examinations in Cameroon, they are not against ACCA but will not be comfortable with neo-colonialist institutions.
William Ngwa, a member of ICAC, expressed the wish that ICAN exams should be conducted in Cameroon with a local content since Cameroon employs the OHADA accounting system.
Henry Akale, who was installed as ICAN’s 47th District Chair outside Nigeria and the first for Cameroon, during the ceremony, alongside the Secretary and Treasurer respectively, said they will go out and make ICAN known in Cameroon, while encouraging interested persons and students to register for ICAN examinations.
Mr Aloysius Vutumu, Secretary, ICAN Cameroon District Society
Owolabi, ICAN Chair, stretches a hand of fellowship to Henry Akale, ICAN Cameroon District President
The Akale led three-man team was given the assignment to ensure that capacities are built, invigilation of ICAN exams are properly carried out and what it takes to get benefits as a District Society out of Nigeria.
