As part of activities of the 2025 Engineering Conference and AGM, the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has held an Investiture ceremony for the new President of the institution, Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, as the 53^rd President of GhIE, at the Engineering Centre, Roman Ridge, Accra.

He succeeds Ing. Kwabena Bempong.

Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse was sworn-in by Her Ladyship Rita Doko, Justice of the High Court, Land Division, Accra. She also sworn-in the new Council members of GhIE.

VRA’s electrical engineer, Ing. Sophia Abena Tijani also won the election to become the President-Elect for the Ghana Institution of Engineering. According to GhIE’s constitution, Ing. Sophia Abena Tijani will serve under the current President for two years before she will be eligible to take the mantle from Ing. Hesse.

Immediately after he was decorated with the GhIE Presidential Chain of office, Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, delivered his address, under the theme: Engineering Our Future: Do it Well, Do it Right.

He provided four pillars on which the theme for the 2025-2027 Council and his Presidency for the period would be based on:

Pillar 1: Governance and Institutional Development

Pillar 2: Influencing Public Policy

Pillar 3: Membership and Welfare

Pillar 4: Partnership and Collaboration

He expressed gratitude to the outgoing President, Ing. Kwabena Bempong for his guidance and support, saying, “I was elected President-Elect at the 2023 AGM of the Institution, and I am due to become President, as per Article 10.6.1(b) of the Institution, at the 2025 AGM. Having served my tutelage for the past two years at the feet of our President, Ing. Kwabena Bempong, and on both the Executive Committee and Council of the Institution, I have the firm belief I have been adequately prepared for the service ahead. I am grateful to our President Ing. Kwabena Bempong for his patient tutelage".

Speaking at the investiture ceremony, the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, said, the choice of the theme for this year’s Engineering Conference: “Urbanization and Smart Cities: Engineering the Future of Ghana’s Cities”, resonates profoundly with the core objectives of his Ministry and the future we envision for our dear nation, Ghana.

“As Ghana continues its rapid urban development, the role of engineering in shaping sustainable, resilient and technologically advanced cities cannot be overstated. We at the Ministry recognized the critical importance of your profession in translating our national development goals into tangible realities”, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei added.

He reminded the engineering practitioners of the critical role the Institution would play in the implementation of the Government’s Resetting agenda and 24-hour Economy of John Dramani Mahama.

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye was the Guest of Honor. The moderator was accompanied by Rev. Dr. Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, the Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana; Rev. Nii Mensah Adjei, District Minister, Community 2, Tema; Rev. Lt. Col. A. L. A. Hammond, District Minister, Haatso; Rev. Alfred Wellington, Minister in charge of Community 3, Tema; Rev. Erasmus Mensah Laryea, District Minister, Osu and Rev. Col. David Adoteye-Asare, Chairperson, Ga Presbytery, all of Presbyterian Church of Ghana.  The moderator prayed for Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, who is a staunch Presbyterian, and for all members of GhIE.

Handing over the Presidential Chain to the new President, the outgoing President, Ing. Kwabena Bempong provided 10 golden nuggets to Ing. Ludwig Annan Hesse.

He said the new President should: Bridle his tongue; Prioritize active listening by speaking less and listening more; Recognize and Value diverse perspectives; Lead with empathy and transparency; and be the lead advocate for the engineering profession. The rest the golden nuggets are: Uphold the core values of GhIE; Foster collaboration and inclusivity; Empower young engineers; Ensure financial sustainability for GhIE and finally, he should leave a legacy with his new Council members.

The investiture ceremony was attended by engineering organisations from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Kenya and Zambia. Also present were the President of the Federation of African Engineering Organization (FAEO) and the President of the West African Federation of Engineering Organisation (WAFEO), ESOL President, NSE President, NSE Deputy President, Immediate Past President of NSE, SLIE President, and NSE Youth in Engineering.

Also rest of the dignitaries present included Rose Sowakai Hesse and children of Ing. Hess; Past Presidents of GhIE; Council members of GhIE; Ag. Executive Director of GhIE, Ing. Samuel Magnus Asiedu; Women in Engineering (WiNE); Youth in Engineering (YE) and other dignitaries.