President Kibaki on Monday reaffirmed resolve in dealing with the Al-Shabaab militant group that has sought to destabilise not just Kenya but the entire Horn of Africa region.President Kibaki pointed out that the transformation of the African continent will only be achieved through a secure and peaceful environment, adding that Kenya has taken a stand for peace and stability in the region and will not waver in that endeavour.
“This is the only way that we can develop our continent and implement infrastructure projects that are cross border in nature,” President Kibaki said.
The Head of State was speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) where he officially opened the first ever Africa Congress of Accountants.
He emphasised that a lasting solution to the long standing instability in Somalia is not only good for the Horn of Africa region but the entire African continent.
In this regard, the President said Kenya intends to complete the work and operation that has begun inside Somalia in order to create a strong foundation for the continent’s prosperity.
President Kibaki, at the same time, said Kenya is privileged to have been accorded the honour of hosting the first ever Africa Congress of Accountants which has come soon after the inauguration of the Pan African Federation of Accountants.
“This is an expression of the confidence you have in our country and more specifically in the local accountancy profession led by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya,” President Kibaki said.
Agenda
The President particularly welcomed the congress noting that it will discuss infrastructure and how it relates to the accounting profession, an issue that has taken the centre stage in Kenya’s development agenda.
Underscoring the importance of infrastructure development in Africa’s economic progress, President Kibaki said its role in the transformation of the continent will be more effective if it is undertaken in a coordinated manner in the context of regional integration.
“World class regional road, telecommunication and rail networks; modernized port facilities and investments in effective power pooling arrangements have the potential to completely change the economic and social landscape of Africa,” President Kibaki said.
Addressing the same forum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Uhuru Kenyatta said that recent Africa’s dominance in global economy is being noticed adding that six of the world’s fastest growing economies are in sub-Saharan Africa.
He urged African professionals to respond to this scenario by taking their rightful positions in the global arena and thanked professional accountants in Africa for positioning themselves to face the challenge.
Other speakers included the chairman of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICIPAK) Mr Patrick Mtange, President of the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) Major General Sebastian Owuoma and the representative of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Japheth Katto.
0 Comments