The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) president, Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams, delivered its 51st Presidential Address in Accra on Thursday, June 23, 2022 with a call for concerted efforts and proper collaboration by relevant stakeholders to construct durable road transport systems.
The 51st Presidential Address was on the topic Contemporary Transportation Infrastructure Development in Ghana: Interrogating the Nexus of Engineering, Politics and Sustainability.
Delivering his address, Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams said a lot of Ghana’s road networks are in a deplorable state and this has affected the country’s economy, whereby people spend long hours in traffic. It has affected productivity at various workplaces, and he cited a typical example of the Accra-Tema motorway.
He suggested some solutions to the problem, saying the problem must be devoid of politics, but rather road construction contracts should be awarded to certified Engineers and contractors. He added that road expansion is needed to accommodate the ever-increasing vehicles on our roads, and also called for governments to have succession plans for road construction to avoid neglect of roads due to changes in government.
He further appealed to politicians not to use the road sector as campaign messages. He urged members of the Ghana Institution of Engineering to up their game so as to get these jobs done. He therefore called on government to consult the Ghana Institution of Engineering and other professional bodies before awarding contracts to either individuals or organisations regarding roads.
On road construction, the GhIE president proposed warm-mix asphalt instead of hot asphalt, because the former reduces emissions. He also recommended Bio-binders for road construction or recycled materials for road durability, as well as the use of eco-friendly materials.
In his welcome address, Executive Director of GhIE Ing. David Nyante explained that the Presidential Address is perhaps the most important highlight in the president of the Institution’s tenure, and that every president of the Institution delivers an address in his or her area of practice and expertise. It is for this reason that Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams is delivering on the theme Transportation, Engineering and Politics on the above chosen topic.
The Chairman of the ceremony, Ing. Kwesi Abbey Sam, in his closing remarks said transport is a key driver on the road to ending poverty, so there is a need for planned city spaces. He said Engineers must insist on doing the right thing, and must insist on delivery of quality work. Ing. Abbey emphasised that no nation is built by foreigners, so we should encourage our local engineers and contractors who are doing well, irrespective of their political affiliations.
A roundtable panel discussion of the Presidential Address was held immediately after the presentation.
Present at the colourful ceremony were included: President of the Federation of African Engineering Organisation (FAEO), Ing. Mrs. Carlien Bou-Chedid; Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur; Ing. Francis Addai Nimo; Ing. Kwabena Bempong, President-elect of GhIE; Council members of GhIE; Past Presidents of GhIE; Mr. Christian Nti, CEO of Ghana Highways Authority who was a member of the panel of discussion, and other distinguished engineers.
