In a significant development for Africa’s public financial management (PFM) landscape, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has secured a $1 million grant from the Global Fund, with private sector support, to expand its public sector accountancy capacity-building program across four African countries, including Ghana. This initiative—implemented in collaboration with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA)—is a strategic move to address the longstanding shortage of qualified public sector finance professionals and to strengthen Professional Accountancy Organizations (PAOs).
Why This Matters to Ghana
Building on the success of pilot programs in Burkina Faso and Ghana, the grant will allow IFAC and PAFA to continue their efforts locally while expanding to Tanzania and Togo. In Ghana, where public sector financial governance has come under increasing scrutiny, this initiative presents an opportunity to embed sustainable training, raise ethical standards, and improve the technical proficiency of public sector accountants.
At JS Morlu Ghana, we recognize the importance of these efforts. As a firm deeply involved in supporting public institutions through auditing, forensic investigations, compliance assessments, and advisory services, we have witnessed firsthand how a skilled accountancy workforce can transform the effectiveness and transparency of public systems.
Supporting a Broader Continental Vision
The initiative aligns with the African Professionalization Initiative (API)—a continent-wide partnership involving the accountancy profession, Accountants General, and Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). The API’s goal is to professionalize public sector accountancy across Africa, equipping countries with the talent needed to lead on financial integrity, performance, and anti-corruption.
As highlighted in our recent blog posts on solving labor theft in government and the risks of digitization without open APIs, JS Morlu Ghana is passionate about systems that drive sustainable reform and transparency. Initiatives like this grant-backed program help set the foundation for effective public service delivery and stronger institutions.
A Partnership Rooted in Impact
Lee White, IFAC CEO, emphasized that the grant will support comprehensive, sustainable training programs that equip public sector professionals with technical skills, ethical grounding, and leadership capacity. “Professionals with this background contribute to better PFM and they’re leaders in the fight against corruption on the continent,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, PAFA CEO Alta Prinsloo noted the success in Ghana and Burkina Faso as a powerful example of what’s possible when local leadership, continental networks, and global partners work together.
Adda Faye, CFO at the Global Fund, highlighted the broader health and development implications of the initiative: “These investments not only enhance the impact of health outcomes but also contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable health systems.”
The Road Ahead
Over the next two years, the expanded program will focus on:
- Strengthening national PAOs in Tanzania and Togo;
- Embedding professional learning programs;
- Enabling public institutions to recruit and retain qualified professionals;
- Promoting good governance, ethical standards, and leadership in public financial management.
At JS Morlu Ghana, we see this as more than a policy milestone—it’s a real opportunity for national and regional development. We are proud to be part of a professional ecosystem that champions the values of integrity, capacity development, and good governance.