Individuals receive international awards for their outstanding contribution in different fields of work. And with the exception of a few, almost all of the awardees are professionals from the developed world.

Last November, in the World Congress of Accountants held in Istanbul, the UK based ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) announced the 2006 ACCA Achievement Award, the first of its kind.

The inaugural awards, which recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the accountancy and finance profession, attracted the highest caliber of individuals from around the world. Eight winners, two for each of ACCA’s global regions, namely the Americas, Europe, Asia as well as the Middle East and Africas were chosen by a panel of judges from individuals nominated by fellow professionals and business leaders.

One of the eight awardees was Mr. Berhane Habtemariam, the Eritrean Auditor General, who was commended for his commitment to advancing the cause of ethics and professionalism, making him the first African to receive the international award.

Born in 1949 Mr. Berhane Habtemariam completed his elementary and junior high school in Lakhen and Mendefera respectively. Later he went to Ethiopia where he completed his secondary education in the Addis Ababa commercial college.

After leaving the college, Mr. Berhane opted to work rather than pursue his university education.

“Although I had good marks and I could easily get into university, I decided to work because an Indian teacher who taught me accounting had told me that I could reach the highest level of the profession (chartered certified accountant) not only through academic studies but through work experience as well,” says Mr. Berhane.

Setting that level as his goal he started correspondence studies while working at the same time. In 1974 he went to the United Kingdom to complete his studies and became a chartered certified accountant in 1977. Also that year he became a member of ACCA.

While working in different prestigious firms in the UK, Mr. Berhane began taking part in of the Eritrean struggle for liberation. He was assigned in the Rome offices of the organization where he worked with dedication until 1987 when he left to join the armed struggle in Eritrea. Following independence he was appointed Auditor General of Eritrea.

Mr. Berhane Habtemariam received the award from Dr. Welday Fitur, the Minister of National Development, in a reception at the Hotel Intercontinental Asmara in the presence of ministers, senior PFDJ officials, ambassadors, representatives of regional and international organizations and other invited guests.

Speaking during the occasion, Mr. Ghebregziabher Ghebremedhin, Head of General Auditing at the Office of the Auditor General, commended Mr. Berhane for providing his colleagues with a working atmosphere allowing them to use their full potential.

Also present during the ceremony was Mr. John Nyakahuma, the Head of Corporate Development for Eastern Africa at the ACCA, who delivered a message from ACCA president Mr. Dennis Yeats, and called on young Eritrean professionals of the field to look up to Mr. Berhane and preserve the professional experience he has strived to build.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants has more than 115,000 members in 170 countries.