The President of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), Mr Foster Osae-Akonnor, has called for the inclusion of professionals such as engineers, architects and planners in building projects in the country, to ensure proper planning of the nation’s built environment.
He believed that the inclusion would not only promote a more organised system, it would also ensure that quality work was done to provide structures that met standards and did not collapse on its occupants.
He cited for instance, that the uncontrolled nature of development without recourse to building regulations, building code and other statutory documents governing the management of the built environment had marred the beauty of the country’s built environment, and had led to the collapse of some structures in the past.
Mr Osae-Akonnor made the observation at a town hall meeting at Wa in the Upper West Region on Friday, to discuss issues of concern with regards to the built environment of the region and what could be done to ensure the right structures were erected at designated locations.
Organised in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council, the meeting was part of the corporate social responsibilities of the GIA under its 60th anniversary celebration which was on the theme; ‘Architects and the Community.’
Founded in November, 1962 through the efforts of Architect Victor Adegbite and his other colleagues, the Ghana Institute of Architects is made up of professional architects oriented towards a positive input in Ghanaian architectural education in the light of the new concepts in nation building.
The meeting was to among other things introduce the GIA to the stakeholders as well as publicise the role they played in the physical development of the nation and to also discuss issues affecting the built environment such as land ownership, planning, development control, technical expertise, among others.
Mr Osae-Akonnor said the meeting which was the first in a series would consider areas such as permitting, development control, master plan, technical support and capacity building through effective collaboration between the GIA and the respective MDAs in the region.
“I see the potential that Wa has to become a beautiful, vibrant and a sustainable city; I see opportunities in the areas of economic, socio-cultural, physical development and environment attributes, but this can only happen if all of us put our minds together and have a vision for the development of the physical environment of the entire region,” he said.
In a speech on his behalf, the Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih said architects designed for the future, and also took note of the errors of the past to provide solutions to them.
Describing their role as visionary, he mentioned that it was relevant to include them in the planning and development of the physical environment to ensure sustainability.
The meeting brought together regional, municipal and district coordinating directors, chiefs, representatives from civil society organisations.
FROM LYDIA DARLINGTON FORJDOUR, WA
