GhIE’s state of institution address held in Accra

The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the body responsible for regulating the conduct and practice of Engineering in Ghana, has held the “State of the Institution Address”, at the Engineering Centre, Roman Ridge, Accra, on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

Welcoming the participants to the program, Ing. Joseph Oddei, a past chairman of Civil Technical Division of GhIE, said, the State of the Institution Address is a constitutional obligation imposed on every President of GhIE to deliver before he or she hands over power to the President-elect, as enshrined in Article 10.3.1(f) of GhIE constitution.

He added that the President of GhIE, in his second term, is expected to tell members of the institution; how he met the institution, what have been the add-ons, as well as the challenges of the institution.

He explained that this address is the second in series since the coming into force of the amended constitution of GhIE in 2017.

Delivering his address, the President of GhIE, Ing. Kwabena Bempong said, on 26th March, 2021 in Kumasi, the members of the institution voted massively for him as President-elect.

He explained that, having walked in the shadows of the 51st President of GhIE, Ing. Prof. Charles Anum Adams for two years and learning so much on the job as President-elect, he was inaugurated as the 52nd President of the Institution on 30th March, 2023 at 53rd Conference and AGM at Takoradi.

Updating members on the Strategic goals during his tenure, Ing. Bempong said, “A lot have been achieved in promoting sustainable and resilient engineering practices, we organised the Building Technology Fair to showcase alternative housing technologies that address challenges in affordability and sustainability. The institution advocated for engineering-led solutions to national issues, including flood preparedness, procurement reforms and resource management”.

He added that the institution advanced discussions and partnerships to support renewable energy adoption and resilient infrastructure development.

He revealed that membership drive witnessed growth and diversification during the years under review.

“Membership increased from 10,890 to 11,708, with a focused effort to engage under-represented groups, including Technologists and Technicians. Members with good standings increased from 3,224 to 6,313. We partnered Fabrimetal to train 402 Craftsmen in Kasoa, Takoradi and Tamale”, Ing. Bempong explained.

On international collaboration, Ing. Bempong said, GhIE represented at international conferences, including World Engineering Day in Lisbon, Portugal and other centres.

The institution also has an enhanced partnership with global engineering bodies to facilitate knowledge-sharing and capacity-building. The institution also supported the participation of Women in Engineering (WinE) in all major events, promoting diversity, inclusivity and equity.

He acknowledged with admiration that a Ghanaian female Engineer, Ing. Dr. Enyoman Kpekpena is currently the Chair of the Committee on Women in Engineering (WIE), a standing committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organization (WFEO).

On Projects, the GhIE President said the Institution signed an MOU with the Chief of Assin Kushea Traditional area, Ehunabobrim Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, who gave a gift of 10-acre land for the development of an Engineering Village.

He informed members that so far the land has been registered, the plan, which include, an Industrial Park, Museum, Eco-park, Workshops, Conferencing facilities, offices and hostel.

He hinted that a brochure has been completed to launch fund raising initiative for the implementation of this innovative idea, which will be a game-changer for Engineering in the country.

He commended Ing. Michael Dedey and his team and more especially, Architect Dr. Alexander Marful for their unwavering supports as well as others who undertook pro-bono survey assignment of the site at Assin Kushea.

Summary of financials showed growth of actual income from GH₵5,375,216 in 2023 to GH₵7,648,859.54 in 2024. He said, over 85% of the 2024 budgeted income was achieved through membership subscriptions, event sponsorship, earmarked funds and other income streams.

On challenges that he faced during the year under review, Ing. Kwabena Bempong said, GhIE encountered low engagement in specific membership categories, particularly among technologists and technicians, limiting broader representation and involvement.

He also mentioned funding constraints as a challenge that continue to affect progress on large-scale initiatives, such as the Engineering Village project.

He narrated various actions that have been taken to address the challenges, including outreach programs to engage underrepresented groups and sponsorship drive.

The GhIE President said, the future outlook of the institution is to prioritize the advancement of the Engineering Village project at Assin Kushea.

He also mentioned the roll out of completed policies, including the Diversity, Inclusivity and Sexual Harassment Policies. Professional Development programmes to address emerging topics like AI, Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Resilience would also be focused.

He therefore called on all members of the GhIE to participate actively in the institution’s programs and initiatives, share constructive feedback to improve institutional operations and contribute to achieving the shared goals of the engineering community, adding that, “members’ involvement remains crucial to the success of the Institution’s strategic objectives”.

Present at the State of the Institution Address included: ACP Priscilla Bempong, wife of Ing. Kwabena Bempong and their children; Vice President of GhIE-Ing. Sophia Abena Tijani; President-Elect of GhIE-Ing. Ludwig A. Hesse; Council members of GhIE;, Past Presidents of GhIE; Ing. Samuel Asiedu-Ag. Executive Director of GhIE; Ing. David Nyante- former Executive Director of GhIE; as well as hundreds of engineering practitioners joining online to participate in the State of the Institution Address.

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