The Greater Accra Branch of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), known as Branch 4, has held a training workshop for Artisans in the Bawaleshie area, East Legon, on Friday, 14th February, 2025.

The Branch 4 also held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Engineering Centre, immediately after the training workshop for the Artisans.

The Bawaleshie enclave is surrounded by Mechanics, Carpenters, Air-condition Repairers, Masons, Electricians, Plumbers, Welders and other artisanal apprenticeship.

Speaking at the training workshop, the Chairman of the Greater Accra Branch 4, Ing. Michael Adotey Codjoe, said, the Ghana Institution of Engineering has brought artisans into their fold by offering them training programs. This, he said, would ensure that the artisans receive periodic training to upgrade their skills and build their capacity.

"Since these artisans are the same people we engage to build our houses, schools, hospitals, hotels and so on, providing training programmes and bringing them under GhIE is in the right direction".

The Speaker at the Capacity Building workshop, Ing. Dr. Divine Okutu, Head of Fleet Engineering said, the artisans need training workshops to upgrade their profession.

"They must work under good environment, be ethical in their dealings and improve their service delivery to their clients. There are so many ways GhIE can help the artisans to make their work better. We are trying to help them so that they don’t get referrals with the products and services they render to their customers. The Theme for the workshop was: “Promoting Innovation and Technology in Artisanship”.

At the AGM, which was held immediately after the capacity building workshop for artisans, the Chairman of the Greater Accra Branch 4 of GhIE, Ing. Michael Adotey Codjoe presented his report to the members.

He advised engineers in the Greater Accra region to register with Branch 4 through GhIE.

The AGM was chaired by the President-Elect of GhIE, Ing. Ludwig Hesse, and was attended by Ing. Leslie Alexander Aryeh, Past President of GhIE, Ing. Philip Kwame Aheto, Ing. Michael Obeng Konadu, Ing. Joseph Oddei and other senior engineers.

Speaking on the theme for the AGM: “Advancing Engineering through Artificial Intelligence”, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Isaac Wiafe, Head, HCI Lab, Department of Computer Science of the University of Ghana, said, AI in Engineering Research ensures acceleration of data analysis, simulation and hypothesis testing.

He added that it also generates new ideas and optimises research workflows. He gave examples of AI tools such as GPT-4, for literature reviews, research paper drafting and idea generation. Other examples of AI tools include ANSYS Discovery, TensorFlow/PyTorch and DeepSeek AI.

Prof. Wiafe hinted that the future of AI is Ethical AI, thus, development of frameworks to ensure responsible use of AI; Making AI tools accessible to non-experts; and Making AI tools accessible in local languages.

Ing. Mrs. Naki Tetteh-Anowie, Vice-President of Women in Engineering (WiNE), also delivered an impressive lecture on the topic: “Balancing Work & Family”, whilst Ebenezer Kwaku Asare from Ghana Institution of Horticulturists, also delivered a presentation on: “Creating a Healthy Green Space for Sustainable Living”.

New Branch 4 Executives were sworn into office after elections. Ing. Dr. Afriyie is the Vice-Chair of Branch 4, Ing. Sunday Atampuri is the Financial Secretary, Ing. Louis Kwasi Osei is the Organiser, while Priscilla Konadu is the Secretary.

Awards were presented to Ing. Priscilla Konadu, Ing. Philip Aheto and Brefo Gyamera for their dedication and volunteering to the affairs of Branch 4.

Citations were also presented to Ing. Dr. Kwame Boakye, Ing. Ludwig Hesse and Prof. Isaac Wiafe for their contribution to the success story of Branch 4.