The newly sworn-in President of Ghana Institution of Engineers, Ing. Magnus Lincoln Quarshie says Engineering is key to the progress of the Savanah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and Ghana's strategic infrastructure development.

Ing. Magnus Lincoln Quarshie, who is the 45th President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), made this known at the investiture of the new leadership of the Ghana Institution of Engineers at the State Banquet Hall in Accra.

“The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) is mandated by (Act 805:2010), to coordinate a comprehensive development agenda for the Northern Savannah areas of Ghana.

"The objective of the SADA strategy is to develop a diversified and resilient economy that is pro-poor. The Authority’s main objective is to promote sustainable development in the north, through re-afforestation and greening to catalyze reversal of the misfortunes of climate change and improve the livelihood of its most vulnerable citizens.

"As indigenous Engineers, we believe that one of the key drivers at supporting the

SADA effort in alleviating poverty, empowering Ghanaians, and achieving the goals of the MDGs is to apply engineering expertise to spearhead an integrated, sustainable, and rapid infrastructure development", he stated.

He said the SADA region is virgin and prime and hence policy makers must have a national agenda and orientation not only to provide infrastructure but to develop the human resource base and our human development index.

The 45th President of GhIE indicated other thematic areas his administration will focus on, which include: Development of a national engineering master plan and Engaging the public.

Touching on Issues and Trends in the Country, Ing. Magnus said “Engineers in Ghana know they cannot rest on their oars."

According to him, current events such as flooding in the cities, the collapse of structures, inadequate and disruptions in the supply of electricity and water puts major responsibilities on policy makers and Ghanaians pose questions about the future of the profession at an individual and collective level.

"These questions address the role that an engineer plays in the lives of the country’s citizens and the society as a whole. They also address the role an engineer could play in the Ghana of tomorrow, on the African continent and the world”, he added.

With the gradual increase in population, which in turn increases the demand for social amenities, economic development, infrastructural replacement and development and industrial breakthroughs, there has been calls for the need to clearly outline the role of the engineer to answer  at a national level to ensure the transformation from designers and builders to project life-cycle sustainers and national developers.

The event was attended by Hon. Ing. Oteng Adjei who represented the President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, Hon. Ministers of State, Immediate Past and Past Presidents of Ghana Institution of Engineers, Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu, the President of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO), the President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, the President of Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers and Representatives of sister professional bodies.