Some members of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) were left dismayed upon learning that the Council would not be considering the nominations submitted for positions on the Architects Registration Council board.
These frustrations came up at the Institute’s recent meeting of held on March 27, 2025.
Aggrieved members say the Honorary Secretary Daniel Kwadjo Teye announced that the President, Tony Asare had unilaterally selected his own appointees, disregarding the democratic process previously outlined to the association.
According to Section 3.1(b) of the Architects Act, NLCD 357, the Institute is mandated to nominate five members to constitute the Governing Council. However, the President’s selected appointees include himself, Honorary Secretary Samuel M. Quartey, Kofi Essel-Appiah, and Chezrie Nyarko Takyi Degraft.
Mr. Essel-Appiah, a Brazil-trained architect and former member of the recently dissolved five-year board, has been reappointed for another term.
Meanwhile, Mr. Degraft, who served as the Institute’s Electoral Commissioner overseeing the election of the current President and Council members, is also among the appointees. SM Quartey, a past president of the Institute, has likewise been named to the board.
Weeks prior, members had been formally invited to submit nominations for these positions, leading them to believe their voices would play a role in shaping the profession’s leadership. However, the President’s unilateral decision to override this process, per some members of the group, has sparked significant backlash, with many members condemning the move as undemocratic and dismissive of their collective input.
“This is a betrayal of trust,” expressed one concerned member. “We were encouraged to participate in good faith, only to be told our nominations are irrelevant. This is simply unacceptable.”
Additionally, some architects have questioned why no female candidates were considered among the five available positions.
In response to growing discontent, members are demanding transparency and accountability in the appointment process. Some are calling for an urgent review of the decision, while others are challenging the legitimacy of the newly constituted board. Notably, the Executive Council has yet to address members’ concerns or provide any justification for this deviation from protocol.
As tensions escalate, the Institute’s leadership faces mounting pressure to explain this abrupt shift and address the concerns raised.
Whether the President will reconsider his decision remains uncertain, but what is clear is that many members are unwilling to remain silent on the matter.
A petition cited reveals a formal grievance submitted to the Council, citing clear procedural irregularities.
The petitioner is concerned about the apparent disregard for proper procedures in the selection of nominees for the position of Registrar and Board Members of the Architects Registration Council.
He highlights issues such as lack of voting as was communicated and the lack of formal communication explaining the deviation from stated.
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