President of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), Arc. Foster Osae-Akonnor has appealed to the Government to urgently ensure the presence of qualified Architects in all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country in a bid to improve the quality of built environment in the country.

The outgoing President made the appeal in an address during the 2024 Annual General meeting of the GIA. He observed that as an Institute whose primary objective is to advance Arts and Science of Architecture, it has realized that challenges in the quality of the built environment in Ghana is as a result of the non-existence of Architects in almost all the 261 MMDAs in the country.

He stressed that the absence of Architects in many MMDAs has been a significant factor in the deterioration of Ghana’s built environment.

He attributed challenges such as unplanned urbanization, neglect of developmental controls, and the general disregard for architectural expertise to this gap, emphasizing that the misconception that “every Ghanaian is a master builder” and the perception that Architects are expensive have also exacerbated the issue and contributed to the current state of the built environment,” he remarked.

The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the GIA was held in Accra at the Architecture House, Ridge under the theme: “Economic significance of a Quality Built Environment”.

It brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including members of the GIA Council, past Presidents and fellows, members of the Governing Board of the Architects Registration Council of Ghana (ARC), allied professionals, government officials, and representatives from the international architectural community, including the African Union of Architects and the Kenyan Society of Architects. Attendees were treated to exhibitions of design competitions and works by both Architects and students, showcasing the innovative potential of architecture in Ghana.

Arc. Osae-Akonnor reiterated the Institute’s commitment to advancing the arts and science of architecture while urging the Government to address the systemic challenges impacting the built environment. “The quality of a nation’s built environment directly influences its wealth, health, and well-being,” he stated. “We, therefore, urge the Government to take pragmatic steps to resolve this issue and engage the services of Architects in every MMDA.”

The GIA President expressed his satisfaction with the successful organization of the AGM, noting that such events offer an opportunity for members to assess, re-direct and re-appreciate the direction and thrust of its endeavors in the practice in the noble profession recognized as the foremost indicator of well-being of any national economy.

In his keynote address, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, represented by First Deputy Governor Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari, said the theme: “ Economic significance of a Quality Built Environment”, is appropriate as we are in a time where population growth, urbanization, and growing demand for energy efficiency, have placed enormous responsibilities on architects to design buildings that are sustainable, maximize space, promote tourism, attract investment, and make use of new and efficient energy resources.

“A quality built environment has numerous economic benefits including increased property values, improved productivity, enhanced economic growth, reduced maintenance costs, attracting businesses and talent, increase tourism and revenue, improved public health and enhance quality of life as such it is imperative that Architects are given the necessary support to operate”.

Dr. Opoku-Afari outlined the economic importance of a quality built environment which includes, increased property values and economic wealth, job creation and economic growth, improved public health and productivity, environmental sustainability, social benefit and promoting tourism which he particularly cited the new bank of Ghana Head office; ‘The Bank Square’, architecturally designed and has since attracted other central banks in the African Region to tour the facility.

2024 AGM of GIA

As part of the opening ceremony, a panel discussion on the Economic Significance of a Quality built environment was held. Panellists included Renowned Architects, Arc. David Kojo Derban, Arc. Foster Osae-Akonnor, Arc. Dr. Irene Appeaning Addo and Dr. Joseph P. Eshun (Jr.). Moderator was Arc. Adja Sai Nana Bonsu.