An eleven-member National Engineering Advisory and Review Group (NEARG) to advise and review practical issues confronting engineering in the country has been inaugurated.

The National Engineering Advisory and Review Group, which will be an an independent voice on engineering issues, was inaugurated by the President of GhIE Ing. Dr. Kwame Boakye and the Council of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) on Thursday, 25th August, 2016 at the Engineers Centre, Roman Ridge, Accra.

Ing. Dr. Kwame Boakye explained that the engineering community needs to come together to effectively discharge the responsibilities of applying its expertise for national development and help to increase our Group Excellence.

Toward that end, it is important to take advantage of all Ghanaian engineering expertise, both domestic and in the diaspora.

“To promote national development, Engineering Practitioners can no longer be shy of expressing professional opinions. Our relevance comes from being a key agent in the national development effort. The establishment of the National Engineering Advisory & Review Group is one of the major institutional vehicles to help the institution achieve its objective and also promote the achievement of Group Excellence. I believe that it doesn’t matter what we achieve as individuals, until we achieve Group Excellence, our country cannot be competitive on the global level”, the GhIE President said.

“The group is expected to lead in the development of the GhIE Engineering Bible that will capture the GhIE Perspectives and Recommendations on the major engineering areas of interest to the nation”, Ing. Dr. Boakye added.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Ing. John Tettey, Director of Works at the Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing supported the formation of the Advisory and Review Group and urged all professional bodies to come together to provide professional and technical advice to Government for the development of the nation.

The Chairman of the National Engineering Advisory and Review Group, Ing. Wilfred E.O. Apatu, on behalf of the members, accepted and thanked the President and Council members of GhIE for the nomination to serve on the Group and promised to perform to the best of their abilities in the hope that this time, somebody will listen to them.

Other members of the Group include: Ing. Ben R. Aniagyei; Ing. Dr. Robert E. Adjaye; Ing. Dr. Joseph K.D. Annan; Ing. Dr. Nicholas K. Smart-Yeboah; Ing. Akwasi O. Pianim; Ing. Sylvia M. Arthur; Ing. Andrew E. Quayson; Ing. Prof. Daniel M. Gyimah; Brigadier General Anthony Amedoh and Mr. George Korley, resident in the U.S.

The impressive ceremony was attended by Past Presidents of GhIE, Council Members, representatives of other professional bodies, traditional leaders, Engineers, the general public and the media.