The Chairman of the African Corporate Governance Network (ACGN) and the Institute of Directors Chairs’ Forum, Rockson Dogbegah, has suggested that the utilisation of expertise in the governance structure will transform attitudes of the citizenry to accelerate development.

“It is time we promoted well qualified and result-oriented people as strategic leadership of experts in the governance structureas a key in turning the fortunes towards progress, growth and development,” he stated.

According to Mr Dogbegah, there was the need to be critical in the formation and creation of key positions to ensure leverage on experts of governance to change attitudes.

Speaking virtually on the theme: ‘Integrated, Thinking and Reporting Culture – The New Paradigm in Corporate Governance’, he observed that many people did not abide by principles of good ethics and integrity and the continent needed ethical result-oriented leadership to transform the attitudes of the people.

“Corporate governance experts should lend assistance and support to political leadership in strategic manner to change negative narrative on the Continent so that political leadership would be ready to embrace our expertise as professionals into their leadership space towards utilisation of talents,” Mr Dogbegah noted.

Professor Mervyn King, a renowned international corporate governance expert, observed that corporate governance was critical for the future of the African Continent which was full of resources but lacked good governance in both governments, good governance and rule of law.

He indicated that corporate reporting was the “life-blood” of probity, accountability and transparency in governance with “integrated thinking” and reporting being absolute critical factors.

Prof. King, who is the Chairman, Africa Integrated Reporting Council, said ‘the way forward for the growth of businesses and companies is to ensure proper ethical standards as required under good corporate governance because it is about controlling and directing companies to have proper ethical values and standards without compromises”