The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) at the weekend inaugurated Ing. Prof. Rev. Charles Anum Adams as the new President of the Institution.
Ing. Prof. Adams becomes the 51st President of GhIE, taking over the mantle of leadership from Ing. Alexander Leslie Ayeh.
The Investiture of Ing. Prof. Adams was held in Kumasi to climax the four day long Engineering Conference and the 51st Annual General Meeting held from 23rd – 26th March, 2021.
Under the theme: “Engineering, key to Sustainable Development Goals”, the conference and AGM were held virtually with few leaderships of Engineers assembling at the auditorium of the Institute of Distance Learning at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
Calling the Conference to order, the Executive Director of the GhIE, Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong encouraged members of the GhIE, and for that matter, Engineers in the country to belong to the professional body and duly register with the Institution and take advantage of the Continuous Professional Development programs undertaken by GhIE to sharpen their professional career and learn new ways to deliver Engineering solutions. This would reduce the incidence of shoddy works in the country.
In his welcome address, the Immediate Past President, Ing. Alexander Leslie Ayeh said the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic has trimmed the normal activities of the Engineering Conference, but it has also enabled them to think outside the box.
“The absence of in person activities has taken out the excitement of gathering but it is my prayer and hope that normalcy should be restored soon”, Ing. Ayeh added.
However, Ing. Ayeh continued that, in terms of membership, the institution saw many more Engineers, both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaian acknowledging the need to the compliant with the Engineering Council law.
He hinted that the strategic plan which was drawn by the leadership of council had in its projections, a target to have membership of Registered Engineers on the roll to reach 8,000 by the year 2023. This figure had been achieved by January, 2021 and with the current growth pattern should exceed this target significantly.
In his inaugural address, the new President of GhIE, Ing. Prof. Rev. Charles Anum Adams expressed his sincere thanks and to the exiting President, Ing. Leslie Ayeh for his service to the institution during the period of COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted activities globally with lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, mask wearing, social distancing and more recently COVID vaccination. In spite of all this, the Immediate Past President, Ing. Leslie Ayeh steered the ‘ship’ to the harbour after a successful journey.
Ing. Prof. Adams expressed deep humility by the unique mandate and extraordinary show of confidence that the Engineers in the country have conferred on his modest person. He assured the Engineers that he is determined to do all in his power to accomplish the tasks of the mandate to justify their confidence.
The new President of GhIE explained that the institution has come of age and has made significant strides. He, however, added that there is still more room for further capacity development, especially, considering that the country desires to move to new development level making it self-sufficient.
“We embrace ‘Ghana beyond Aid’. Engineers are planners, evaluators, designers, builders in operations and infrastructure systems and facilities. Engineers are system thinkers and problem solvers. Engineer is all about creating systems and technologies to provide solutions. Engineering is about making imaginations real”, Ing. Adams explained.
He charged Engineering practitioners in the country to use their creativity, services, talent and solutions for the development of the country.
“To this end, the Council of the GhIE intends to embark on multiple activities and initiatives in the coming years, some of which include to build a motivated engineer through our Technical Division and branches, as well as strengthening the national secretariat to support council activities, including engineering practice to make it more exciting to join. We will also set up mentorship programmes for engineering practitioners to improve their skills build confidence and their marketability”, Ing. Adams added.
He concluded by sending a strong signal to all stakeholders, saying, “we are aware of how Ghanaians are becoming impatient to see our country’s development to enjoy a better quality of life and therefore expect more from its engineers. We will ensure professionalism, responsible and ethical practice. However, we will also demand that society value both our advice and rewards for practice. There is profit in reliable and diligent labour”.
In a message read on behalf of the Guest of honour for the ceremony Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, by one of his sub-chiefs, Hiahene Oheneba Prof. Boachie-Adjei, the Ashanti King advised Engineers to be more result oriented instead of activity oriented.
In attendance were the President of FAEO, Ing. Carlien Bou,-Chedid, Council members, Past Presidents of GhIE, and Engineers from Nigeria, Sierra Leone and other parts of Africa and the world joined the conference by zoom.
