The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) has rejected suggestions that differences between compensation claims and assessments automatically amount to professional misconduct or deliberate inflation.

In a statement issued on August 21, the Institution said it had taken note of recent public comments and allegations concerning compensation claims prepared in connection with some road projects.

GhIS said "it does not condone fraud, deliberate inflation of compensation claims, misrepresentation of valuation evidence or any form of professional misconduct."

It added, "differences may legitimately arise from the interests affected, heads of claim, valuation methodology, market evidence, assumptions, consequential losses and other circumstances particular to the acquisition. Each case must therefore be examined on its facts and supporting evidence."

It therefore called for each case to be assessed on its individual facts and supporting evidence.

GhIS further emphasised that persons affected by compulsory acquisition are constitutionally and legally entitled to fair and adequate compensation, and may seek independent professional advice or challenge compensation assessments through appropriate administrative and legal processes.

It cited Article 20 of the 1992 Constitution and the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) as the legal basis for those rights.

The Institution also said professional integrity requires valuers neither to overstate nor understate compensation, insisting that assessments must be based on verifiable evidence, applicable law and recognised professional valuation standards.

GhIS disclosed that it is engaging the relevant authorities to obtain particulars concerning the allegations and is prepared to support an independent technical review of disputed assessments where necessary.

It added that "any allegation against a member would be considered objectively and in line with its disciplinary procedures and the principles of natural justice."

The Institution reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public interest, safeguarding the rights of persons affected by compulsory acquisition and promoting transparent and evidence-based compensation valuation in Ghana.

The statement follows comments by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, that the government was considering reporting two quantity surveyors to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over alleged attempts to inflate compensation claims for properties affected by road projects.

According to Mr Agbodza, some surveyors allegedly encourage project-affected persons to reject government valuations and promise to secure compensation several times higher than amounts assessed by state agencies.

He said the practice had cost the state significant sums and contributed to delays in the execution of road projects.