By Chioma Obinagwam
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global professional body for professional accountants has strengthened its commitment towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its latest theme known as “Rethinking Our World”.
Confiance News gathered at an interactive session with the press held by ACCA at its head office on Tuesday in Lagos.
Tom Isibor, Head ACCA Nigeria said that out of the 17 UN SDGs, the association has committed to nine and they include SDG 4 on Quality education; SDG 5 on Gender equality; SDG 8 on Decent work and economic growth; SDG 9 on Industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 10 on Reduced inequalities.
Others, Isibor noted, include, SDG 12 on Responsible consumption and production; SDG 13 on Climate action; SDG 16 on Peace, justice and strong institutions in addition to SDG 17 on Partnerships for the goals.
Isibor said that ACCA will offer access to quality finance and accountancy education that is free from artificial barriers, which is in accordance with the UN SDG 4.
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In line with SDG 5, ACCA said, “We will promote gender equality across our global community and achieve gender equality across our employee population.”
In fulfilment of its commitment to SDG 4 and 5, Senior Business Development Manager, ACCA Nigeria, Aderonke Adebule said that
ACCA Women’s Network Nigeria (ACCA WNN) visited Makoko- an informal settlement across the 3rd Mainland Bridge located on the coast of mainland Lagos in October 2021 and made a commitment to sponsor the education of 30 girls for a year in commemoration of the 2021 International Day of the Girl child.
Isibor added that in line with its commitment towards actualising SDG 13 on Climate Action, it has embedded green finance in its qualification, engaded in advising and supporting governments and regulators to develop and adopt the regulations and reporting practices needed to transition to a Net Zero carbon economy.
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“At ACCA, we’re committing to becoming Net Zero by 2030,” he disclosed.
Working towards achieving SDGs 16 and 17, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Communications at ACCA, Jane Ohadike, stated that it had set up an Africa Advocacy Programme (AAP) to talk about issues bothering on policies.
She noted that through the AAP, ACCA has been able to improve engagement with policy stakeholders and enhance effectiveness, in addition to contributing to policy debate and influence policy design, implementation, monitoring and reviews.
“Accountancy is all about being accountable.
We’re engaging with policy makers but it is gradual,” She said.
Corroborating, Isibor pointed the need for policy makers and countries like Nigeria to be deliberate in improving productivity, education and health.
“We should shift our focus from Planning to Outcomes,” he advised.
“We’re a force of public good that is why we are very focused on SMEs, Education, capacity building and best practices,” he continued.
