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Discipline, perseverance get results …Princess Korkor Boateng, Chartered Accountant at 18 says
Princess Korkor Boateng
Princess Korkor Boateng is being celebrated for emerging the “youngest person ever,” at age 18, to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in Ghana.
The level 400 student who is studying Business Administration at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has been congratulated on the University’s official Twitter handle and continues to receive goodwill messages across social media platforms.
In a recent interaction with The Spectator, the young achiever spoke about the role of her family, the rudiments of the test, and the hurdles she overcame in attaining this feat.
According to Princess, the motivation came from her mother, Ms Mary Sarbah who recommended that she apply for the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICA) course early enough to avoid the strain of combining work and studies in future.
She started the course in 2019 after gaining admission into the University and completed her last set of papers in April 2023. As young as she is,, she feels “comfortable” rubbing shoulders with colleagues of different age groups.
She said although some people did pass inauspicious comments, she was still focused on attaining her goal.
“Every accountant’s dream is to take the course a step further even to the highest level. Either way I knew I would do it, therefore, we thought it wise to start early and save ourselves the stress.
“I am happy I was able to finish the test and my mother who is an accountant, is proud to see her daughter step in her shoes. It is encouraging to see that my success has made people take steps forward to achieve their goals,” she said.
Apart from obtaining secondary and tertiary education, the road to becoming a Chartered Accountant comes in three levels.
“There is no fixed timeline to write any papers. You can choose to take the four papers one at a time or write them at a go. In Level 1, we write four papers, six papers in Level 2 and four papers in Level 3.
“Depending on a candidate’s schedule and the pace in passing the papers, one could finish within two years or take 10 years to write,” she explained.
“After first degree, especially as a Business student, one might have previously done certain courses in the university and this would not require them to repeat some ICA courses,” she added.
Princess said she was first unwilling to sit for the test because she had wanted to “enjoy a bit of life in the university” but the courage she eventually mustered has paid off.
“I thought there was ample time in the university especially when you do not have any leadership responsibility. But once I took the decision to start, I have been able to get the results,” she said, acknowledging the immense contribution of her family and colleagues on the rugged journey to success.
“I know it is unwise to inform everybody about your plans, however, there were some people who I confided in because I knew along the way I would need help. Some of them were already within the working environment and their practical explanations helped me a lot,” she said.
Time management, discipline and perseverance have been some of the key elements of Princess’ academic progress. She said in spite of her tight schedules, she was able to combine UGBS and ICA courses effectively.
Princess attended Akosombo International School, a Ghanaian co-educational international second-cycle institution in the Eastern Region. She hopes to delve into the world of technology after completing her first degree.
She is a budding photographer and enjoys listening to poetry performances. Her mother and other female chartered accountants are her role models.
While urging the youth to pursue their dream in the face of challenges, she asked women to rise up to the task and match their male counter-parts in every field of study or at the workplace.”
By Yunusah Essandoh
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
