Guest Speaker, Prof. Afram (left) handing over an award to a newly qualified Architect
Architects Registration Council (ARC) has bemoaned the influx of foreign consultants, contractors and laborers in the local industry executing projects undercover without satisfying the legal and regulatory requirement.
Registrar of the ARC, Arc Stella N.D. Arthiabah speaking an induction ceremony accept 42 new Architects into the ARC called on the government and stakeholders to take stringent measures to curb this form of ‘galamsey’ in the construction industry.
The construction sector she said was very key to Ghana’s development hence the need to pay special attention to the sector.
She therefore, urged the government and the private sector to engage local expertise in architecture and related fields for all projects; stressing that as a body it has enough professionals and technicians with the required skills to achieve successful projects for national development.
The Registrar argued that a nation’s identity and international reputation is judged by its advancement in technology, good infrastructure, political freedom, tolerance, safety and security, health and education and attractiveness for business.
“These parameters for branding nations are expressed in and through the work of architects as such raising Ghana’s brand is within our capabilities” she touted.
The ARC, and the Ministry of Works and Housing, she said, would seek strategic partnership and collaboration with other policy makers and the private sector to drive this course.
She said the annual ceremony induction ceremony reminded the Council of how important their work is as policy makers, regulators and promoters of the architectural profession.
Mrs. Arthiabah noted that this year’s theme: ‘Architecture, the critical tool for national development’ was carefully chosen observing Architecture as the critical tool for growth, sustainability and nation branding.
Mr. Theophilus Kofi Attipoe was adjudged the Overall Best Candidate with Jonathan Ebo Quaye and Gloria Baaba Anim occupying the second and third positions respectively.
The Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Eugene Boakye Antwi who represented the Sector Minister, Samuel Atta Akyea as special guest said as Ghana marks 60 years of a nation the country is still faced with a huge housing deficit of 1.7 million as most housing units are not within the reach of ordinary Ghanaians.
He therefore tasked the new Architects to produce housing designs that reflect affordable housing concept using local building materials and a sustainable design that is energy efficient with rain water harvesting facilities to ensure constant supply of water for both domestic and industrial purposes.
He observed that as the government’s policy of One District One Factory had started in earnest it was expected that the ARC, the Rural Housing Department and the Architectural Engineering Services would provide technical support towards the successful implementation.
The president of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), Arc. Joseph E. Hayford congratulated the new Architects and asked them to inculcate a habit of truth and excellence in the course of work as he observed the two were lacking in this modern day of practice.
By Times Reporter
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