By Abraham Donkor
The Outgoing President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Dr. John Amaglo has called for the speedy passage of the Surveying Council Bill into law to sanitize the sector. He said the absence of an act has emboldened the activities of quacks and to some extent, foreigners to engage in activities that jeopardize the reputation of the professionals. Dr. Amaglo noted that the absence of a legal framework has led to an influx of land guard activities which have claimed lives and destroyed property. He made this observation at the launch of the 17th Surveyors’ Week and the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the Institution in Accra.
The Outgoing President of the Institution, Dr. John Amaglo noted that this year’s theme “emerging global technologies: implications for the Surveying practice in Ghana”, provides them with the opportunity to discuss and evaluate the impact of digitalization on their profession. He said though surveyors are still counting their losses due to the negative impact of the Covid, they are leveraging on emerging trends in technology to provide the needed services in the built environment. “The 2022 Surveyors’ Week aims to provide professionals and organizations with the opportunity to step back, evaluate and discuss the various revolutionary changes that digitalization has brought and the implication on the practice of surveying in Ghana”.
The emerging global technologies have brought about enhanced service delivery in the profession.
”The initial training and unique qualities of the Surveyor are no longer the only preconditions for the practice of surveying. Therefore, the earlier the professional Surveyor realizes that it is no longer business as usual and interrogates how to exploit these innovations due to emerging global technologies, the better.”
He stated that as a Professional Institution, its doors are always opened and stand in readiness to offer services to the government when necessary.
”It is important to note that, as an Institution, they have undertaken Value-for-Money assignments and project audits for a number of projects undertaken by the government. Notable among some of the projects the Institution has undertaken in recent times are; SSNIT Borteyman Housing (under the affordable Housing Project),Ministry of Education (land swap leading to the provision of over 52 apartments for senior staff).Ministry of Roads and Highways (Sinohydro projects. Various Road projects across Ghana)”.
The Institution, he added, just submitted the Final Report on the construction audit of the controversial Saglemi Housing Project. Dr. Amaglo indicated that the ”2022 Surveyors Week”, aims to provide professionals and organizations with the opportunity to step back, evaluate and discuss the various revolutionary changes that digitalization has brought and the implication on the practice of surveying in Ghana. The emerging global technologies have brought about enhanced service delivery in the profession. The initial training and unique qualities of the Surveyor are no longer the only preconditions for the practice of surveying. Therefore, the earlier the professional Surveyor realizes that it is no longer business as usual and interrogates how to exploit these innovations due to emerging global technologies, the better”.